DTF Maintenance Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Department: Production / Maintenance
Reports To: Maintenance Manager or Director of Operations
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The DTF Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing Direct-to-Film (DTF) printers and related production equipment. This position helps ensure equipment operates safely, efficiently, and consistently while minimizing downtime and maintaining print quality.

The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, comfortable working with printer hardware and software, and able to diagnose problems in a fast-paced production environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform routine preventive maintenance on DTF printers, powder shakers, curing units, heat presses, air compressors, and related equipment.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and software-related printer issues.
• Clean and maintain printheads, capping stations, dampers, ink lines, pumps, filters, wipers, and circulation systems.
• Troubleshoot print-quality concerns such as banding, color inconsistencies, clogged nozzles, ink-flow problems, and alignment issues.
• Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns and work to minimize production downtime.
• Complete daily, weekly, and scheduled maintenance according to manufacturer and company requirements.
• Calibrate printers and verify that equipment is operating within established production and quality standards.
• Install or replace printer components and worn parts as needed.
• Maintain an organized inventory of replacement parts, tools, ink-system components, and maintenance supplies.
• Document maintenance activities, equipment repairs, recurring problems, parts used, and downtime.
• Communicate equipment status and repair needs to production leadership.
• Coordinate with equipment manufacturers, vendors, or technical support when additional assistance is required.
• Assist with the installation, setup, testing, and relocation of production equipment.
• Train machine operators on proper equipment use, cleaning procedures, and basic preventive maintenance.
• Follow all safety procedures when working with electrical components, machinery, chemicals, inks, powders, and cleaning solutions.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized maintenance and production area.
• Support other production or facility-maintenance needs when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience repairing or maintaining commercial printers, industrial printing equipment, production machinery, or similar equipment.
• Strong mechanical and technical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment, and maintenance software.
• Basic understanding of electrical systems, motors, sensors, pumps, pneumatics, and machine components.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to troubleshoot printer software, network connections, and equipment interfaces.
• Ability to read equipment manuals, diagrams, maintenance instructions, and safety documentation.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize urgent repairs, and communicate clearly with production employees and leadership.
• Willingness to work flexible hours or overtime when required by production needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience maintaining DTF printers and related finishing equipment.
• Experience with large-format, screen-printing, sublimation, UV, or other commercial printing equipment.
• Experience working with RIP software, color-management systems, and printer calibration.
• Experience maintaining powder shakers, curing ovens, dryers, heat presses, or air-compressor systems.
• Electrical, mechanical, industrial-maintenance, or equipment-repair certification.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.

Knowledge and Skills

• Equipment troubleshooting and root-cause analysis
• Preventive maintenance
• Mechanical and electrical repair
• Print-quality assessment
• Organization and maintenance documentation
• Inventory and replacement-parts management
• Time management and urgency
• Safety awareness
• Teamwork and communication

Physical Requirements

• Regularly stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and work around production equipment.
• Frequently use hands to operate tools, handle parts, and perform detailed repairs.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to distinguish colors and identify print-quality concerns.
• Ability to work in areas with machinery noise, heat, ink, powder, cleaning products, and other manufacturing materials.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in a warehouse and production environment around operating machinery, printing equipment, heat-producing equipment, inks, powders, and cleaning chemicals. The employee must consistently follow company safety rules, equipment lockout procedures, and manufacturer instructions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Print and Logistic Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.