Rotary Printing and Re-reeling Gravure Machine Technician Career in South Africa
Explore the official OFO occupation, common tasks, specialisations and approved South African qualification pathways.
Occupation overview
Sets up, operates and maintains webfed gravure printing presses to print specified printing jobs on a variety of paper and plastic substrates.
What does a Rotary Printing and Re-reeling Gravure Machine Technician do?
A Rotary Printing and Re-reeling Gravure Machine Technician prepares, runs and maintains webfed gravure printing presses. The work involves printing specified jobs onto paper and plastic substrates, managing the re-reeling process and helping ensure that the press is correctly set up and operating reliably. Related work may include operating packaging gravure equipment.
Specialisations
Alternative job titles
How to become a Rotary Printing and Re-reeling Gravure Machine Technician in South Africa
- Build a foundation in machine operation, maintenance, printing processes and safe working practices.
- Explore relevant occupational certificates in rotary printing, including the Occupational Certificate: Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician (NQF Level 4, 547 credits), Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Printing Technician (NQF Level 4, 631 credits) and Packaging Rotary Printing and Re-reeling Flexographic Machine Minder (NQF Level 4, 544 credits).
- Consider whether the Occupational Certificate: Creeling and Warping Machine Operator or Occupational Certificate: Textile Wet Process Printing Machine Operator is relevant to the particular employer and production environment.
- Seek practical exposure to setting up, operating and maintaining printing or re-reeling machinery.
- Confirm the current qualification, provider and assessment requirements with SAQA or an accredited provider before enrolling.
Edupstairs Preparation Guidance
The listed occupational certificates provide relevant training routes in related rotary, packaging and textile printing processes, but they should not automatically be treated as compulsory for every gravure technician position. Compare the training content with the specific gravure and re-reeling equipment used by the employer, and verify current provider and assessment arrangements before starting.
Useful school subjects
- Mathematics
- English
- Mechanical Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Computer Applications Technology
Skills that may help
- Setting up printing machinery
- Operating webfed rotary printing equipment
- Maintaining and monitoring machinery
- Working with paper and plastic substrates
- Understanding printing and re-reeling processes
- Technical problem-solving
- Careful attention to production details
- Following operating and safety procedures