Pre-Press Operator/Mac Operator
Job Description
Job Description
This is not a graphic design position, must have EXPERIENCE PREPPING FILES FOR PRINT FOR LITHO AND DIGITAL PRINT.
Hours - Day Shift (Starting as early as 6:00am leaving as late as 4:30PM. Hours to be determined)
Job Summary:
Mac operator is responsible for preparing customer‐supplied artwork and internal designs for production across multiple print platforms. This role serves as a critical link between Sales, Project Management, Structural Design, and Production by ensuring that all files released to press are accurate, compliant with specifications, and optimized for efficient manufacturing.
This position requires strong technical knowledge of packaging and commercial print workflows, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to perform efficiently in a fast‐paced production environment.
Key Responsibilities:
• Preflight customer‐supplied artwork to verify file integrity, including bleeds, image resolution, color spaces, spot colors, fonts, and PDF structure
• Prepare press‐ready files for folding carton, litho‐lam, corrugated, digital, and commercial print applications
• Align artwork to approved CAD/MFG dielines and apply correct bleed standards (.125” for folding carton; .25” for corrugated)
• Build and verify press layouts and press forms from approved manufacturing data
• Manage and separate spot colors and embellishments (e.g., FOIL, EMBOSS, SPOT GLOSS), ensuring correct overprint and plate behavior
• Knock out glue flaps and remove non‐printing elements from final print files
• Generate high‐resolution production files and low‐resolution customer proof files
• Review final output files for accuracy, including color separations, layers, plates, and manufacturing requirements prior to release
• Follow FSC logo procedures when applicable, including proper logo generation, placement, and submission for approval
• Maintain organized job folders and file naming conventions in accordance with company standards Communicate clearly with Sales, Project Managers, and Structural Design to resolve artwork or production issues efficiently
• Adhere to established prepress procedures, quality standards, and production timeline
Qualications:
• Minimum 3–5 years of prepress experience in packaging and/or commercial printing
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Acrobat
• Strong working knowledge of Enfocus PitStop for PDF preflight and correction
• Solid understanding of print production processes, including dielines, bleeds, spot colors, and press requirements
• Commercial printing background
• Experience using Esko ArtPro+ for packaging prepress
• Experience working within Heidelberg Prinect or similar production prepress systems
• Familiarity with Esko Automation Engine and ArtiosCAD
• Experience with FSC‐certified packaging workflows
• Experience supporting gang‐run digital printing or hybrid print workflows
• Familiarity with FileMaker or other MIS‐based job tracking system