Substrate
Substrate refers to any material that can be printed on in the printing industry. This includes paper, fabric, plastic, metal, or other materials that serve as the base for printing. When someone mentions substrate in their resume, they're talking about their experience working with different printing materials. It's similar to how a canvas is the base for painting - the substrate is the base material for printing. Understanding substrates is crucial because different materials require different printing methods, inks, and handling procedures.
Examples in Resumes
Managed quality control for various Substrate types in large format printing
Developed standard operating procedures for handling different Substrates in digital printing
Trained team members on proper Substrate selection and preparation for optimal print quality
Typical job title: "Print Production Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Print Production Specialists
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle substrate compatibility issues in a production environment?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain their process for testing new materials, maintaining quality standards, and solving problems when certain substrates don't work well with specific printing methods or inks.
Q: How do you manage substrate inventory and ensure cost-effectiveness?
Expected Answer: They should discuss inventory management systems, supplier relationships, cost analysis, and strategies for reducing waste while maintaining quality.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when selecting substrates for different print jobs?
Expected Answer: Should discuss customer requirements, print method compatibility, cost considerations, and quality expectations when choosing materials.
Q: How do you handle substrate storage and conditioning?
Expected Answer: Should explain proper storage conditions, temperature and humidity control, and preparation procedures before printing.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic types of substrates used in printing?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list common printing materials like paper, vinyl, fabric, and explain their basic characteristics.
Q: How do you identify the correct side of a substrate for printing?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic methods for determining the printable side of different materials and why this matters.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic knowledge of common substrate types
- Understanding of proper material handling
- Basic quality control checks
- Material loading and unloading
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced material handling techniques
- Troubleshooting print quality issues
- Substrate storage management
- Cost estimation for different materials
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex substrate selection and testing
- Vendor management and material sourcing
- Training and process development
- Quality assurance program management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with different printing materials
- Lack of knowledge about basic material handling procedures
- No understanding of storage requirements for different substrates
- Unable to explain basic quality control processes
