Prepress Specialist Mainline Printing, LLC - 4.2 Topeka, KS Job Details Full-time 1 day ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Flexible spending account Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Customer communication Customer service Workflow management (operations management method) Graphic design Attention to detail Organizational skills Collaboration with manufacturing teams Prepress software Technical troubleshooting support Company guidelines standards in production Technical Proficiency Adobe Acrobat Time management Production troubleshooting

Full Job Description Prepress Specialist Employment Type:

Full-Time /

On-Site Schedule:

Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (flexible)

Department:

Prepress /

Production Position Summary:

The Prepress Specialist is responsible for inspecting, preparing, troubleshooting, and processing customer-supplied artwork for commercial offset printing. This position serves as a critical link between customers, sales representatives, prepress, plating, and pressroom production to ensure artwork is technically accurate, properly prepared, and ready for successful production. The position works with a wide variety of commercial print projects, including packaging, labels, trading cards, pocket folders, holographic products, promotional materials, and other specialty print applications. This role requires strong technical knowledge of commercial offset printing, excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects at different stages of production simultaneously.

Primary Responsibilities:

File Inspection and Preflighting Work with sales staff and or clients to receive and inspect customer-supplied artwork and digital files for production readiness. Preflight files for potential production issues, including: Missing or incorrect fonts Missing linked images or graphics Low-resolution images Incorrect document dimensions Insufficient bleed RGB or other inappropriate color spaces Incorrect or unintended spot colors Transparency or overprint concerns Registration and trapping issues Identify potential printing or finishing problems before files proceed into production. Communicate artwork concerns clearly with customers, sales representatives, and internal production personnel. Make appropriate file corrections when possible or communicate required corrections to the appropriate party. Offset Print Preparation Prepare artwork according to commercial offset printing standards and established company production procedures. Apply and verify bleeds, traps, spreads, chokes, registration elements, color bars, crop marks, and other production requirements as necessary. Review separations, spot colors, overprints, knockouts, and other print-specific file attributes. Work with industry-standard color profiles and color-management practices, including GRACoL, Fogra, and other applicable standards. Understand how artwork preparation decisions may affect plating, press registration, ink coverage, finishing, die cutting, folding, and other downstream production processes. Ensure final files are capable of being plated and produced efficiently and accurately by pressroom personnel. Imposition and Kodak Workflow Create and verify press sheet impositions based on finished size, press requirements, sheet size, finishing requirements, and production specifications. Arrange individual pages, panels, or products on press sheets for efficient and accurate production. Utilize Kodak workflow software for imposition, processing, and final artwork preparation.

Work within applications including:

Kodak Prinergy Kodak Preps Kodak Workshop Kodak Proofing Software (KPS) Review processed files and separations prior to final approval for plate output. Proofing Produce both high-resolution and low-resolution proofs using Kodak Proofing Software and Epson SureColor proofing equipment. Review proofs for accuracy, color, content, positioning, and production requirements. Trim, cut, fold, assemble, and glue physical proofs when necessary to simulate the final printed product. Prepare press-ready or customer-ready proofs for approval. Maintain accuracy between approved proofs and final production files. Project and Workflow Management Manage multiple jobs simultaneously at various stages of prepress production. Work in coordination and or alongside other Prepress Specialists to ensure all projects are covered. Maintain organization among projects that may be in: Initial artwork review File preparation Customer proofing Artwork correction Revised proofing Final production preparation Plate-ready status Accurately track job specifications, revisions, approvals, and production requirements. Prioritize work according to production schedules and deadlines. Communicate job status and potential delays or technical concerns promptly to the appropriate individuals. Customer and Internal Communication Work directly with customers, sales representatives, production personnel, other prepress specialists, and other departments to resolve artwork and production concerns. Communicate professionally with customers ranging from local businesses to large corporations, marketing firms, agencies, and international organizations. Clearly explain technical artwork or printing concerns to individuals who may not have a print-production background. Maintain a courteous, organized, professional, and service-oriented approach to customer communication. Document important file changes, customer requests, approvals, and production instructions when appropriate. Required Qualifications Familiarity and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly: Adobe Acrobat Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign Strong computer and digital file-management skills. Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify small inconsistencies or errors within artwork and production specifications. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Ability to manage multiple jobs, revisions, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously. Ability to troubleshoot technical artwork and production issues. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently while also collaborating closely with coworkers, sales, production, pressroom, and customer-service personnel. Ability to learn and follow established production standards and workflow procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous experience in commercial printing, prepress, offset printing, graphic arts, or print production is strongly preferred. Knowledge or experience in the following areas is considered highly desirable: Commercial offset printing methodology and terminology Preflighting Imposition Trapping, spreads, and chokes Bleeds and registration Spot colors and process-color separations CMYK and RGB color spaces Overprints and knockouts Color bars and press-control elements Color management and ICC profiles GRACoL and Fogra color standards Kodak Prinergy Kodak Preps Kodak Workshop Kodak Proofing Software Epson proofing equipment Packaging and specialty print production Die-cut, folded, glued, or dimensional printed products Previous graphic design experience or formal education in graphic design, graphic communications, printing, or a related field is beneficial but not required.

Design Responsibilities:

This position is primarily a technical prepress and print-production role and is not intended to function as a traditional creative graphic design position . Occasional artwork modification, layout adjustments, file reconstruction, or limited design work may be required when necessary to prepare customer files for production. A strong foundation in graphic design principles is therefore beneficial and may assist the employee in successfully performing the technical responsibilities of the position. Overall Expectations The Prepress Specialist is expected to take ownership of artwork as it moves from customer submission through final production preparation. The goal of the position is to ensure that each job entering production has been thoroughly reviewed, correctly prepared, appropriately proofed, and configured to move through plating, printing, and finishing with as few preventable issues as possible. Accuracy, consistency, communication, and attention to production detail are essential to success in this position.

Expected hours:

40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person