Label Finishing & Embellishment Operator

Calyx Containers•West Valley City, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Label Finishing & Embellishment Operator runs the ABG Digicon Series 3 finishing and embellishment line, converting printed rolls from HP Indigo presses into finished labels ready to ship. The operator independently sets up, runs, and troubleshoots the equipment across the stations used, including JetFX tactile and spot effects, delam/relam printing, varnishing and lamination, die cutting, matrix stripping, slitting, and rewinding. The role focuses on producing labels to specification and schedule while minimizing waste. This is a journeyman-level position for an experienced converting operator who can handle setups and die changes independently. Training and certification will be provided for inkjet embellishment and delam/relam if needed. The operator also trains Operator I teammates, coordinates with prepress and press operators, and contributes ideas and documentation to improve setup times, reduce scrap, and standardize work. The position is full-time, hourly, and on-site at Calyx Containers in Salt Lake City, Utah. It reports to the Production Manager. Work takes place on a production floor with machine noise and exposure to moving machinery, UV curing, sharp tooling, and UV inkjet fluids. Employees stand and walk for most of the shift and may bend, reach, and repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds. PPE, including hearing protection, is provided. The shift schedule will be discussed during the first conversation.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience running label finishing or converting equipment, such as die cutting, slitting, and rewinding, in a narrow-web label or flexible packaging environment.
Ability to independently set up and run a finishing line, including die changes, slitter setup, and tension and registration adjustments.
Solid understanding of pressure-sensitive label construction, including face stock, adhesive, and liner, and how materials behave during die cutting, matrix stripping, and relamination.
Ability to read job tickets and specifications, including label size, repeat, across and around, core, outside diameter, and wind direction.
Mechanical troubleshooting skills and comfort with shop math and measuring tools.
Strict safety habits, including lockout/tagout.
Basic computer skills for job tracking and production reporting.

Nice To Haves

Inkjet embellishment experience with ABG JetFX or DigiJet, MGI JETvarnish, Scodix, or similar equipment.
Delam/relam, peel-and-reveal, or adhesive-side printing experience.
Experience with an ABG Digicon or other ABG finishing equipment; experience with Grafotronic, GM, Rotoflex, or similar modular finishers also counts.
Experience finishing HP Indigo or other digital print, including short runs and frequent changeovers.
Experience with UV flexo varnish, lamination, cold foil, or hot foil.
Experience with Label Traxx or a similar print MIS.
Experience training or certifying other operators.
Cannabis, food, or consumer packaged goods label experience.

Responsibilities

Read job tickets and independently set up the finishing line, including web path, tension, registration, embellishment and delam stations, varnish or laminate, die, slitter knives, core size, and wind direction.
Mount and change magnetic cylinders and flexible dies, set anvil pressure and cut depth, and verify a clean kiss cut.
Use line automation, including gap sensing, automatic knife setting, and turret rewind, to complete fast changeovers.
Load JetFX effect files from prepress, register effects to the print, set UV cure, and run tactile varnish, spot gloss, and digital foil as required.
Perform daily inkjet printhead care, including purges, cleaning, nozzle checks, and fluid-level checks.
Run delam/relam work by separating face stock from liner, printing on the adhesive side or under the label, and relaminating in register without wrinkles, contamination, or adhesive issues.
Check first articles against approved proofs and job specifications, including cut position, print and effect registration, tactile height and feel, foil and varnish coverage, reveal copy, label size, gap, and wind direction.
Pull in-run samples at set intervals and monitor for registration or cut drift, nozzle dropouts, relamination wrinkles, lifting laminate, flagging, and matrix breaks; correct issues before they create waste.
Ensure finished rolls have the correct label count, core, outside diameter, wind direction, and roll labeling for the customer's applicator.
Diagnose machine issues involving tension, registration, embellishment, relamination, cutting, stripping, and slitting; escalate to the Production Manager or ABG service when appropriate.
Perform scheduled cleaning, lubrication, and inspection; care for dies, knives, and printheads; and log issues that may cause downtime.
Record setup time, run time, waste, and downtime in Label Traxx.
Train Operator I teammates in setup, safety, quality checks, and Digicon operation, and help certify other operators.
Coordinate with prepress and press operators to identify artwork, die-line, effect-layer, and reveal-artwork issues before production.
Propose and document standard setups, SOPs, and checklists to reduce changeover time and scrap.
Follow lockout/tagout, machine guarding, PPE, and chemical-handling requirements, and maintain a clean, organized work area.