Graphic Designer - Prepress Technician and Production Operator

Job Description

Marketing, Print and Mail Company Seeking: "In House" Graphic Designer - Prepress Technician and Production Operator.

Looking for a professional, energetic, career-minded person to grow with our collaborative "Team".

The person must have the ability to multi-task, handle a rapid pace, take initiative and responsibility for daily tasks and projects to meet deadlines for clients.

Purpose of Position: Responsible for the production and accuracy of all prepress files, graphics, design and layout work in compliance with job specifications. This person should be able to work independently with the ability to prioritize workload/jobs to meet customer time requirements. They will perform daily and weekly file storage and system maintenance for software and systems to ensure optimum productivity. They will troubleshoot their software and operating system as necessary. This person is a vital part of the overall customer service provided and may be asked to assist the inside and outside sales staff to educate clients on services available or troubleshooting of files and digital print operations; proper proofing, file setup and corrections.

Qualifications:
Minimum of 4 years of full-time practical experience in graphic design, prepress and typesetting associated with print production within an agency or print shop environment.
Team player with good communication skills.
3+ years formal education in graphic design using professional design software.
Comprehensive background, understanding, and experience with PC and software applications, such as: InDesign, Acrobat, Microsoft Publisher, Illustrator, Freehand, Photoshop, PageMaker, Microsoft Office; Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.
Knowledge of PDF and postscript files and PDF plug-ins.
Knowledge of utility programs such as file compression, disk repair, print spoolers, PC to Mac, and Mac to PC conversion processes.
Ability to properly format print-ready files, send and operate digital equipment; high-speed black and white, digital copiers, and Xante digital envelope press.
Experience in book pagination.
Ability to move freely throughout the building to gather information, materials and authorizations.
Meet or exceed minimum test results as specified by hiring manager.

Experience with Wide Format/Sign Design/Layout, Production and Install a Plus!
Digital technology experience a plus.

Detailed Responsibilities:

A. Customer Service:
1. Assist with internal design and selling graphic design services to customers: Work with existing and potential customers to provide concept, design and create logos, rebranding improvements, design and revisions to marketing materials.
2. Assist sales associates/customer service representatives in educating clients on methods of accepting digital files.
3. Educate and communicate with customers on capabilities and proper file construction.
4. Work with brokered vendors or outside suppliers as necessary to fill customer orders. Setup graphics/layouts and submit orders to suppliers/vendors for completion of outside services or obtaining materials needed for internal job completion.
5. Ability to learn and understand POS System and sourcing materials or brokers.

B. Operations and Maintenance of Equipment:
1. Operate prepress equipment -- PCs, removable media/external hard drive, modems, etc.
2. Operate scanners.
3. Operate inkjet, laser printer and other output devices.
4. Clean and maintain all equipment within the prepress area.
5. Training/learning the digital machines (Submissions of files to digital machines, understanding the process and able to oversee final production of jobs/the final product as needed).
6. An understanding of how to merge variable data and implement into print and mail pieces.
7. Learn online direct ordering system for creation of customer templates, managing, maintaining and implementing new sites.

C. Operation of Software:
1. Use of Windows operating system.
2. Use of Adobe; InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and Microsoft Office; Excel, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Flexi.
3. Use of internal POS software associated with proofing and business processes.
4. Knowledge of platform and file conversion processes.
5. Will be trained to understand, build and maintain store software portals for customer online direct ordering.

D. Prepress Supply Inventory:
1. Maintain software and printer supplies.
2. Alert Manager of items needed to eliminate work delays.

E. End of Day Procedures:
1. Prioritize and schedule next day's work.
2. Review and preparation of production -- Work In Progress Report/Prepress Production Log and handle POS software/procedures.

F. General:
1. Monitor quality and proofing of all prepress work.
2. Maintain a clean and organized work area.
3. Actively participate in daily or weekly production meetings.
4. Abide by center business processes and procedures.
5. Abide by center policies/procedures as outlined in the employee manual.

G. Secondary Responsibilities:
1. Assist with answering phones.
2. Assist with Production and Bindery tasks as needed.

Available for a 37+ hr work week. Wage dependent on experience and capabilities.
Position is an onsite position Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 5pm (may be flexible with start and end time).

Job Location:

• Cape May County, NJ - commute should not be longer than 40 minutes.

Company Description: Small Family Business - Growing and looking for those that want to grow with us! A collaborative team breeds success. If you are enthusiastic, friendly, like working with customers to provide solutions, a team player that likes to learn and contribute to the success of a winning team, fast-paced but have attention to detail and like to work with others that care about quality and meeting customer needs, reach out! We are growing our team and look to reward within - your initiative, energy, and attention to detail contribute to this.