Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Matthew Hughes

Cleveland,GA

Summary

Ink Technician with over 8 years of experience formulating water-based, solvent-based, UV, seal coat, and scratch-off inks for flexographic and gravure printing. Expertise in color matching, quality control, and research and development for security inks used in state lottery applications. Proficient in troubleshooting press-side issues, maintaining tolerances and optimizing ink formulations for opacity, viscosity, and laydown quality. Skilled in data collection, report writing, and operating lab equipment to deliver high-quality results for major U.S. brands and lottery clients.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Ink Technician (R&D Lab)

International Ink Company
08.2022 - Current
  • Formulate and modify water-based, solvent-based, and UV inks for state lottery printing applications in collaboration with chemists.
  • Optimize ink properties (opacity, viscosity, laydown quality) to meet customer specifications, ensuring consistent performance.
  • Test UV inks for viscosity using Brookfield viscometers and verify cure rates in millijoules, enhancing ink durability and functionality.
  • Maintain detailed R&D reports and preserve samples for customer review, ensuring accurate documentation and traceability.

Ink Technician

Fort Dearborn
04.2016 - 05.2022
  • Managed ink formulation and quality control for four press schedules (three flexo, one gravure), producing labels for major U.S. brands (Nestlé, Ecolab, PepsiCo, Great Value).
  • Achieved color matches within DE2000
  • Resolved ink-related issues through press-side troubleshooting, minimizing downtime and maintaining schedules.
  • Organized ink room operations, including stock management, returns, and safety compliance, while mentoring junior technicians to foster a proactive team environment.

Education

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Northwest Shoals Community College
Muscle Shoals, AL
01.2008

Skills

  • Ink Formulation: Water-based, solvent-based, UV, seal coat, and scratch-off inks
  • Color Matching & Quality Control: Tolerances under DE2000 15 with strong visual acuity
  • Lab Equipment: Viscometers (Brookfield, Anton Paar), Zahn cups, Mayer rods, Harper proofers, UV curing mills, abrasers
  • Technical Proficiencies: iSPEC dispenser system, R&D data collection (Excel/Word), UV cure rate testing
  • Operational Efficiency: Inventory management, press-side troubleshooting
  • Sustainability: Prioritizes rework to minimize waste while meeting specifications
  • Leadership: Mentors junior technicians to maintain schedules and safety standards

Timeline

Ink Technician (R&D Lab)

International Ink Company
08.2022 - Current

Ink Technician

Fort Dearborn
04.2016 - 05.2022

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Northwest Shoals Community College

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Matthew Hughes