We are a wide-format printing, signage, graphics, and custom fabrication company in Houston. We produce everything from simple printed signs and vinyl graphics to dimensional signage, architectural graphics, custom displays, artwork, glassboards, and one-of-a-kind fabricated projects. We are looking for a Graphic Designer / Prepress Specialist who is highly proficient in Adobe Illustrator and interested in learning the technical side of sign and graphics production. This is not primarily a branding, marketing, or social-media design position. A large part of this job is taking customer artwork, drawings, measurements, and project information and turning them into accurate proofs and production-ready files that can actually be manufactured. What You'll Do Create customer proofs and production drawings Prepare and modify artwork in Adobe Illustrator Clean up, rebuild, and vectorize customer-supplied artwork Set up print-ready files for large-format printing Create cut paths and production layers for CNC routing and vinyl cutting Set up files for flatbed printing, roll-to-roll printing, contour cutting, and CNC production Check dimensions, scale, resolution, bleeds, fonts, colors, and other production requirements Create layouts and drawings for signs, graphics, displays, and custom fabricated projects Make revisions based on customer and project-manager feedback Organize production files so they are clear and usable by our production staff Learn Inkflo's materials, equipment, and manufacturing processes Communicate with project managers and production employees when information is missing or unclear Assist with printing, vinyl production, fabrication, finishing, and other production work when needed Adobe Illustrator proficiency is extremely important for this position.

The ideal candidate:

Is proficient in Adobe Illustrator Understands vector artwork and production file setup Has excellent attention to detail Is comfortable working with exact dimensions and measurements Can follow established file-naming, layer, and production standards Understands - or is willing to learn - bleeds, cut paths, contour cutting, spot colors, white ink, registration, paneling, nesting, and other production concepts Can identify problems in customer-supplied artwork before those problems reach production Is comfortable learning how different machines require files to be prepared Is organized and able to work on multiple projects Can communicate clearly when project information is incomplete Is willing to occasionally help with hands-on production and fabrication Experience with CorelDRAW is a plus but is not required. Previous experience in a sign company, large-format print shop, architectural graphics company, exhibit/displaycompany, screen-printing company, or similar production environment is a strong plus. However, we are willing to train the right person on our specific equipment and production processes. Equipment & Processes You'll Learn We operate equipment including: Roland large-format roll-to-roll printing Oce Arizona flatbed printing Vinyl cutting and contour cutting CNC routing and cutting Large-format laminating and finishing equipment You do not need to already know our specific machines. We are looking for someone who has the technical ability and desire to learn how artwork moves from the computer into real-world pro This Position Is Probably a Good Fit If... You enjoy both design and figuring out how things are actually made You notice when something is 1/8" out of position. You don't mind opening someone else's messy Illustrator file and fixing it. You understand that a file can look perfect on a computer screen and still be completely wrong for production. You enjoy solving technical problems and learning equipment. And you're comfortable occasionally getting away from the computer and helping make the finished product. This Position Is Probably NOT a Good Fit If... Your primary interest is logo design, branding, social media, illustration, or purely creative graphic design. This position requires creativity, but accuracy, organization, technical thinking, and production knowledge areequally important. Strong Adobe Illustrator skills are required. Candidates selected for an interview may be asked to complete a short paid practical Illustrator/production exerciseso that both you and Inkflo can determine whether the position is a good fit.

Pay:

$20.00 - $23.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Paid time off

Work Location:

In person