Hiring and Sponsoring Print finishing and binding workers (SOC Code 5423)

Print Finishing and Binding Workers, classified under SOC Code 5423, are skilled professionals integral to the printing process, who specialize in the final touches and binding of printed materials. Their expertise encompasses a variety of tasks critical to the production of high-quality printed products. Key responsibilities include:

• Folding, collating, and sewing printed sheets manually or using machines
• Compressing sewn books in a nipping machine to expel air and mitigate swelling caused by sewing
• Trimming the head, tail, and fore-edge of books, ensuring neat edges
• Gilding and marbling page edges as necessary for aesthetic appeal
• Cutting board and cloth for book covers and spines to meet design specifications
• Embossing lettering or decorative elements on covers, either by hand or through machine processes
• Repairing worn book bindings to extend the lifespan of printed materials
• Setting up and supervising automatic binding and finishing machines to optimize production efficiency

With the demand for high-quality printed goods growing in various sectors, the role of Print Finishing and Binding Workers is increasingly vital. This guide will assist HR professionals in understanding the recruitment and sponsorship processes related to this essential role in the UK’s printing industry.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Print finishing and binding workers?

SOC Code 5423 refers to print finishing and binding workers who specialize in the final stages of the printing process, transforming printed sheets into finished products. Their responsibilities can include:

• Folding and collating sheets: Organizing and arranging printed sheets by hand or using machines for further processing.
• Sewing printed materials: Using manual or machine methods to stitch printed pages together in order to create books or booklets.
• Compressing sewn books: Operating nipping machines to expel air and minimize swelling caused by sewing, ensuring a clean finish.
• Trimming edges: Cutting the head, tail, and fore-edge of the book to achieve the desired dimensions and appearance.
• Cover preparation: Cutting board and cloth for the book cover and spine, ensuring the durability and aesthetics of the final product.
• Embossing: Applying lettering or decorative elements on the cover using hand techniques or automated machinery for added visual appeal.
• Repairing bindings: Fixing and restoring worn book bindings to extend the life and usability of printed materials.
• Machine setup and supervision: Configuring and overseeing the operation of automatic binding and finishing machines to ensure quality and efficiency.

Print finishing and binding workers are essential in the publishing and printing industries, ensuring that printed materials meet high standards of quality and finish, contributing to the overall presentation of written works.

Eligibility to Hire Print finishing and binding workers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Print finishing and binding workers must possess specific skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively. These may include:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in operating various binding and finishing machines, including automatic ones.
• Experience: Relevant experience in folding, collating, sewing printed sheets, and performing trimming and gilding tasks.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to ensure high-quality finishing, such as correctly trimming edges and embossing decorations.
• Physical Stamina: Capability to perform manual tasks such as compressing sewn books and repairing bindings, which may involve lifting and standing for extended periods.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues with machinery or binding processes.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 5423 and that the worker’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Print finishing and binding workers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Print finishing and binding workers under SOC Code 5423.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Print finishing and binding workers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Print finishing and binding workers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Print finishing and binding workers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Print finishing and binding workers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Print finishing and binding workers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Print finishing and binding workers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Print finishing and binding workers

Before the Print finishing and binding workers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Print finishing and binding workers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Print finishing and binding workers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Print finishing and binding workers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Print finishing and binding workers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Print finishing and binding workerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Print finishing and binding workers

Sponsoring Print finishing and binding workers under SOC Code 5423 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Print finishing and binding workers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Print finishing and binding workers under SOC Code 5423 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.