Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Power Integrity • Quality Control • Six Sigma

Stencil Printing

Term from Electronics Manufacturing industry explained for recruiters

Stencil Printing is a crucial process in electronics manufacturing where solder paste is applied to circuit boards through a metal stencil, similar to how a basic stencil works with paint. This method is essential for placing electronic components on circuit boards. It's like spreading butter through a template - the paste only goes where holes are cut in the stencil. This process is vital in making modern electronics, from phones to computers, and is often called "SMT Stencil Printing" or "Solder Paste Printing" in job descriptions.

Examples in Resumes

Managed Stencil Printing operations achieving 98% first-pass yield in PCB assembly

Optimized SMT Stencil Printing process reducing defects by 35%

Supervised team of 5 operators for Solder Paste Printing and inspection

Typical job title: "Stencil Printing Operators"

Also try searching for:

SMT Operator PCB Assembly Technician Electronics Manufacturing Technician Process Technician SMT Process Engineer Manufacturing Engineer

Where to Find Stencil Printing Operators

Professional Associations

Online Communities

Industry Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle process optimization for a stencil printing line with consistent quality issues?

Expected Answer: A senior candidate should discuss analyzing print parameters like speed and pressure, implementing process controls, training operators, and using data to track improvements. They should mention experience leading improvement projects.

Q: What methods would you use to reduce defects in the stencil printing process?

Expected Answer: Should explain maintenance schedules, cleaning procedures, proper storage of materials, and quality control measures. Should demonstrate experience with problem-solving and team leadership.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors affect stencil printing quality?

Expected Answer: Should mention temperature, humidity, print speed, paste viscosity, stencil cleanliness, and proper alignment. Should show understanding of basic troubleshooting.

Q: How do you maintain stencil printing equipment?

Expected Answer: Should describe regular cleaning procedures, inspection routines, proper storage methods, and basic maintenance tasks. Should understand how these affect print quality.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What safety procedures are important in stencil printing?

Expected Answer: Should mention proper handling of solder paste, wearing appropriate protective equipment, and following basic safety guidelines in the manufacturing environment.

Q: How do you check if a stencil print is good?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic visual inspection methods, common defects to look for, and when to alert supervisors about problems.