Graphic/Print Production Designer
About the Role
We are looking for a detail-oriented Print Production Designer with strong hands-on experience in offset printing, pre-press, and print production. The ideal candidate should understand the complete journey from artwork preparation to final printed output and be comfortable working closely with printing vendors to ensure accurate, high-quality production.
This role is ideal for someone who has practical experience working with a printing vendor, print production house, or packaging/print production environment and understands the technical requirements and limitations of print.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and adapt artwork for offset and other print production processes.
- Create and work with die lines, cutting lines, crease lines, perforation lines, and bleed requirements.
- Ensure artwork is technically accurate and production-ready before sending it for printing.
- Manage CMYK colour separation and work with spot colours and Pantone colours.
- Coordinate with printing vendors on colour matching, proofs, specifications, and production requirements.
- Review print proofs and ensure colours, artwork, dimensions, and finishing are as per approved specifications.
- Understand and work with different paper and board specifications, GSM, finishes, coatings, and print limitations.
- Troubleshoot pre-press and production-related issues and coordinate with vendors to resolve them.
- Ensure files are correctly prepared for production, including resolution, fonts, colour profiles, bleed, and file formats.
- Work closely with internal design, sourcing, packaging, and production teams to execute print requirements smoothly.
- Maintain accuracy and consistency across multiple print SKUs and production runs.
Requirements
- Prior hands-on experience in print production, pre-press, or with a printing vendor/printing company is important.
- Strong understanding of offset printing and the overall print production process.
- Good knowledge of CMYK, colour separation, Pantone/spot colours, and colour matching.
- Understanding of die-cutting, creasing, perforation, bleed, and print finishing.
- Good understanding of paper/board types, GSM, finishes, coatings, and print limitations.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign and/or CorelDRAW.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify artwork and production issues before printing.
- Ability to work with vendors, manage timelines, and follow through until final production.
- Experience in packaging, labels, cartons, marketing collateral, or other physical print materials is a plus.
Ideal Candidate
Someone who is technically strong in print, understands what can and cannot be achieved on press, and can independently take artwork from the design/pre-press stage through to final production.