Paul Mottram

I joined Saica Flex as a pre-press repro technician using industry standard tools such as Esko Deskpack and Automation Engine. I've learned a lot about the flexo printing industry in this role, after a career in litho printing. Preparing and making high-profile labelling artwork print ready for numerous companies within the food packaging industry, other responibilities include plate co-ordination and cutter magagement.

Key Responsibilities

• I joined Wirralco initially as a Prepress Mac Operator, receiving artwork as the first port of call, preflight checking and preparing for lithographic and digital printing presses using industry standard software such as Quark Xpress and Adobe Creative Suite. With a comprehensive knowledge of PDF workflow, I am responsible for mapping jobs with precision, negating any chance of future mistakes down the production line.
• Working toward 5S standards, maintaining health & safety, and adhering to law and regulation & company standards at all times.
• I am experienced in computer to plate systems using a B2 Screen Platerite 4300, Trueflow RIP and Flatworker imposition software.
• Calibration of equipment, platesetters, film and plate processors, to precise parameters to ensure perfect consistency.
• Ensuring all tools are set and calibrated precisely, densitometers, spectrophotometers to ensure strong colour depth, tonal range and consistency is maintained at all times.
• Stringent recording of each job on central database.
• A year into my employment with Wirralco I was made Studio Manager with increased responsibilities including job prioritising, liaising with clients and doing my best to ensure that all jobs leave the department free of error, generally maintaining the smooth running of the department.
• To meet manufacturing deadlines readily to create customer confidence and ensure future, consistent sales.
• Create a strong team ethic as good communication with all members of the team was essential to see each job through seamlessly to delivery.
• Deal with any issues and resolve with a calm, but speedy solution based approach.
• Boosted staff performance & confidence by providing training for a number of apprentices.
• Coordinated with press minder to ensure printing processes were completed efficiently, meeting specified quality criteria.
• Oversaw all print projects from start to completion.
• Performed cost-benefit analysis on supplier quotes and negotiated preferred rates that led to annual cost savings.
• Adhering to COSHH regulations due to working with a wide variety of chemicals.

• I joined Express Offset to operate a Dainippon Screen Cezanne Elite A3 desktop scanner with Mac link-up using Screen Colour Genius image processing software.
• Using Apple Mac systems to output final films through a Purup Imagesetter.
• Coordinated with press minder to ensure printing processes were completed efficiently, meeting specified quality criteria.
• Stringent recording of each job on central database.

• I joined Priory Graphics in July 1992 to start an apprenticeship as a lithographic film planner, other duties included camera operating, cromalin proofing and plate making.
• As conventional repro slowed down I was moved onto scanning were I stayed until leaving the company operating a Dainippon Screen SG-608 drum scanner, scanning anything from artwork for children's annuals to transparencies, photographs and printed material for magazines, brochures and catalogues.
• Input job type and time data into computerised control units with accuracy and precision to ensure efficient completion.
• I am experienced in manual colour correction on the SG-608 and also retouching and image manipulation using a Wright Sunspark System and Adobe Photoshop.
• I was also involved in sending Quark Xpress documents to final films through a Purup imagesetter and have had insights into a Digital Cromalin system.