Software Mastery: Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
We are seeking a high-level Senior Print Production Specialist to oversee the transition of complex creative concepts into flawless physical assets. You will be the final gatekeeper of quality, ensuring that every file leaving our studio is technically perfect, color-accurate, and optimized for its specific medium—from large-format environmental graphics to high-end editorial mailers.
Pre-Press & File Preparation: Execute expert-level file builds, including setting up bleeds, knockouts, overprints, dielines, and complex folds.
Retouching & Color Management: Perform high-end image manipulation and color correction in Photoshop to ensure brand consistency across various substrates (uncoated vs. coated stocks).
Vector Precision: Utilize Illustrator for technical drawing, logo versioning, and preparing files for specialty finishes like spot UV, foil stamping, and embossing.
Vendor Liaison: Communicate directly with external printers to review digital proofs, attend press checks, and troubleshoot production issues.
Workflow Optimization: Establish and maintain file naming conventions and archiving systems to ensure the studio runs like a well-oiled machine.
| Tool/Skill | Expectation for 8+ Years Experience |
| Adobe InDesign | Mastery of master pages, style sheets (nested/GREP), and Data Merge for variable data printing. |
| Adobe Photoshop | Expert non-destructive editing, advanced masking, and CMYK/Pantone color conversion. |
| Adobe Illustrator | Advanced path manipulation, managing complex layers for CAD/dielines, and prep for CNC/vinyl cutting. |
| Print Knowledge | Deep understanding of offset, digital, flexography, and large-format printing processes. |
| Quality Control | An obsessive eye for detail—catching typos, low-res images, or incorrect ink limits before they hit the press. |
Experience: Minimum of 8 years in a fast-paced agency or internal production house.
Portfolio: Must demonstrate a range of physical samples or case studies showing the journey from digital file to finished product.
Problem Solving: The ability to “reverse engineer” a creative layout to make it functional for production without losing the aesthetic intent.
Pro-Tip for Hiring: At the 8-year mark, ask them about a time a press run went wrong and how they fixed it on the fly. Their “war stories” will tell you more about their expertise than their portfolio will.