Quality Assurance Executive – Printing & Packaging Industry

Executive – Quality (Offset / Gravure)

Experience:

Reports to:

Division:

Role Summary

incoming inspection, process quality, outgoing checks, lab tests, and documentation

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Incoming Quality (Offset & Gravure)

• Inspect substrates: paper, boards, flexible films, foils, metallized films, laminates, etc.
• Check parameters like GSM, micron, moisture, COF (for films), stiffness, gloss and smoothness.
• Inspect inks, varnishes, adhesives, coatings for shade, viscosity, batch quality and contamination.
• Check plates (offset) and cylinders (gravure) for scratches, dents, engraving uniformity.
• Verify supplier documents like COA, batch slips and compliance certificates.
• Raise NCR for incoming defects and quarantine non-conforming material.
• Update incoming inspection records in QMS/ERP.

2. In-Process Quality – Offset (if assigned to Offset division)

During Make-ready:

• Verify plate integrity, dot clarity, trapping sequence and job card details.
• Check dampening solution pH, conductivity, temperature.
• Assist in achieving correct registration and colour balance.

During Production:

• Conduct periodic inspections of:
• Colour density
• Dot gain/TVI
• Scumming, hickeys, ghosting, picking issues
• Ink-water balance
• Set-off, mottle, slur
• Record sheet-wise observations and escalate abnormal variations.
• Monitor sheet stability, drying and coating consistency.
• Ensure correct substrate feeding, side lay, gripper margin and job sequence.

3. In-Process Quality – Gravure (if assigned to Gravure division)

• Check cylinder surface condition, engraving uniformity and repeat length accuracy.
• Measure ink viscosity at required intervals using Ford/Zahn cup.
• Verify doctor blade pressure, angle and wear condition.
• Observe and report:
• Drag marks, streaks, pinholes
• Missing dots, scumming, shade variation
• Uneven ink transfer
• Tension fluctuations leading to wrinkles
• Assist in lamination process checks (if applicable):
• Bond strength
• Lamination uniformity
• Adhesive coating weight
• Ensure rewind quality — telescoping, edge alignment, reel hardness.

4. Outgoing Quality (Final QC)

• Inspect finished goods for:
• Colour accuracy vs approved proofs
• Barcode readability, text sharpness
• Registration consistency
• Lamination integrity (gravure)
• Die-cut accuracy (offset)
• Seal quality in flexible packaging
• Verify pack count, label accuracy, palletization quality.
• Document final inspection reports before dispatch.
• Segregate and report any defective material.

5. Lab Testing Support

• Conduct basic tests:
• GSM, thickness, Cobb test
• Rub/scuff resistance
• Adhesion (tape test)
• Viscosity checks
• Basic peel strength test
• Maintain the lab logbook, calibration stickers and cleanliness.
• Notify Senior QA of deviations.

6. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain QA checklists, online inspection reports and NCR logs.
• Assist in data entry for QMS, ERP or Excel-based logs.
• Maintain sample retention area with correct identification labels.
• Support monthly quality MIS preparation.

Required Skills & Attributes

• Basic print knowledge (registration, colour variation, print defects).
• Ability to observe defects and report promptly.
• Basic testing skills; willingness to learn spectrophotometer/densitometer.
• Discipline, accuracy, teamwork and cleanliness.

Performance Indicators

• Accuracy of inspection reports
• Timely detection of defects during process
• Reduction in rework due to improved vigilance
• Compliance to SOPs and documentation accuracy
• Responsiveness during production quality checks