Alfie Kellett / Printing & Dyeing Apprentice

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Working in a textile manufacturing environment was totally new to Alfie. He was trained by a senior member of the team, Paul, and soon felt at home.

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Working on fabrics for products like pool tables which are shipped across the world to countries like America and Australia, is the most exciting part of the job, Alfie says.

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The moment Alfie is most proud of was the first time he completed a print on his own;

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“The first time I put a print in and it came out of the steam and was perfect – that's my most rewarding moment”

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A Dye and Printing Technician can be found in a range of settings including specialist craft or creative businesses, design studios, production workshops.

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Key aspects of the job include assisting with sampling and preparing fabric for dyeing to the highest possible quality – paying close attention to colour matching and often following a design brief.

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In their daily work, technicians are expected to work collaboratively, often as part of a team. They need to work to agreed deadlines to meet customer demands.

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The Level 3 Craft Technician – Dye and Printing Technician qualification is available in England.

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