Ink Technician

About the role

The Ink Technician will be responsible for formulating, mixing, and matching inks to meet customer specifications and production requirements. This role supports the printing operations by ensuring the right inks are available, maintaining colour accuracy, and contributing to quality and cost‑efficiency.

Key responsibilities

• Formulate, mix and match inks according to customer requirements and production specifications.
• Ensure accurate colour matching using Pantone references, approved standards and customer samples.
• Monitor and adjust ink viscosity, density and other technical parameters to achieve optimal print quality.
• Support printing operations by providing timely ink availability and conducting colour verification throughout production.
• Troubleshoot colour inconsistencies, recommend corrective actions and maintain detailed records of formulations, batch numbers and colour recipes.
• Manage ink inventory, storage and handling of inks, solvents and additives while complying with safety, quality and environmental standards.
• Collaborate with printing operators, production supervisors and quality‑control personnel to resolve production issues.
• Participate in continuous‑improvement projects to enhance print quality and operational efficiency.

Required profile

• OND, HND or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Printing Technology or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience as an Ink Matcher, Ink Technician, Colourist or similar role in flexible packaging, printing or manufacturing.
• Experience with gravure and/or flexographic printing processes.
• Hands‑on experience with solvent‑based and water‑based ink systems.
• Familiarity with flexible packaging substrates such as BOPP, PET, PE, CPP and foil.
• Strong knowledge of colour theory, ink formulation and colour‑matching techniques.
• Excellent colour vision, attention to detail and analytical troubleshooting skills.

Required skills

• Ink formulation
• Colour matching
• Pantone reference usage
• Colour measurement tools
• Solvent‑based ink systems
• Water‑based ink systems
• Gravure printing
• Flexographic printing
• Flexible packaging substrates (BOPP, PET, PE, CPP, foil)
• Analytical troubleshooting