JOB TITLE: Prepress Graphic Designer
DEPARTMENT: Design
REPORTS TO: Prepress Production Art Manager
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Bay Cities, an Employee Owned Company, is the leading creative packaging and display partner to brand marketers, retailers and e-commerce. Our passion, experience, technology and consumer insights move product and drive sales.
Our Mission
Our Passion Powers Your Product
Our Values
Creativity: Our ideas create Client success.
Passion: We have heart with a Customer Service attitude.
Integrity: We honor our business & planet with sustainable practices.
Responsible: We own it!
Safe: Our safe work habits protect us all.
Fun: We take our work seriously- not ourselves
SUMMARY
The Prepress Graphic Designer is responsible for preparing, evaluating, and optimizing customer-supplied and internally developed artwork for print production across a variety of display and packaging formats. This role emphasizes technical prepress execution over conceptual design, ensuring all files are production-ready, color-accurate, and aligned with manufacturing and press capabilities.
The position requires a strong understanding of digital and high-end flexographic printing processes, including the ability to convert and manage color from RGB to CMYK and spot color systems, while ensuring optimal output based on substrate, ink limitations, and machine specifications. The Designer must be able to assess supplied artwork and determine the most effective print method and production approach to achieve quality and efficiency.
This role works closely with sales, customer service, structural design, 3D rendering, and production teams to troubleshoot artwork issues, ensure manufacturability, and maintain quality standards. Responsibilities include pre-flighting files, preparing artwork for production, building mockups, approving first article builds, and identifying potential risks related to print, color, and converting processes.
The role operates in a Mac-based environment using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat) and requires knowledge of file preparation, trapping, separations, and print-ready output. A deep understanding of print plates, anilox specifications, dot structure, and press limitations is essential.
Additionally, the Designer supports continuous improvement by testing print methods, substrates, and workflows, and communicating best practices across teams. This role prioritizes accuracy, efficiency, and technical problem-solving to ensure files print correctly the first time and perform well on press.
JOB FUNCTION/PURPOSE
- Prepare and preflight customer-supplied artwork to ensure files meet production and press requirements.
- Convert and manage color accurately from RGB to CMYK and spot color systems, ensuring optimal print reproduction across various substrates and print methods.
- Evaluate artwork and determine the most suitable printing method (digital vs. flexographic) based on machine specifications, material, and design intent.
- Build and finalize print-ready files, including proper separations, trapping, overprints, and bleeds.
- Review proofs for color accuracy, print feasibility, and production efficiency, identifying and correcting issues prior to manufacturing.
- Collaborate with production and structural teams to ensure artwork aligns with dielines, corrugation direction, and converting requirements.
- Create and prepare mockups and production files for customer approval and internal use.
- Apply color correction techniques to ensure consistent, high-quality print output on press.
- Work with Pre-production team and print vendors and internal teams to communicate press requirements, plate expectations, and file specifications.
- Support plate production processes, with working knowledge of flexo plates, trapping, screening, dot gain, and print distortion considerations.
- Assist with press checks, calibration, and maintaining color consistency across jobs and repeat orders.
- Utilize 3D visualization tools (Esko or equivalent) primarily for production validation and customer presentations when needed.
- Maintain organized, accurate file versions and ensure timely delivery to production.
- Performing other duties as assigned by management.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Prepress Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Illustrator and Photoshop for production artwork.
- Strong working knowledge of digital printing and high-end flexographic printing processes.
- Demonstrated expertise in color management, including RGB to CMYK conversion, ICC profiles, spot color handling, and color correction for press.
- Experience preparing files for print, including trapping, separations, overprints, and bleed setup.
- Understanding of print plates, anilox rolls, screens, and flexo print limitations.
- Ability to evaluate artwork and recommend the most effective print method based on machine specifications and production constraints.
- Experience in packaging, POP displays, or corrugated production environments preferred.
- Familiarity with dielines, structural design considerations, and converting processes.
- High attention to detail with strong problem-solving skills in a fast-paced production environment.
- Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors.
- Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
- Experience with Esko workflows, WebCenter, or similar systems is a plus.
- Valid Driver's License with DMV evidence of a good driving record.
- Submission of a PDF attachment of your portfolio or a link to an online portfolio is required.
Core Competencies
- High ethical standards. Models and supports organization’s goals and values; adapts to changing conditions; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Consistently conduct themselves in an honest and trustworthy manner. Does not pursue their own individual objectives to the detriment of company goals. Sets an example for others to follow. Does the right thing.
- Demonstrates energy and passion about what they do and knows how to balance work and fun. Is optimistic and upbeat; fun to be around. Has a strong belief and zeal for the industry, the job, and the company. Conveys energy and intensity at work with a capacity for keeping others enthusiastic and involved.
- Operates with a customer service orientation internally and externally. Works to positively build the Bay Cities brand in everything he/she does. Builds strong, positive relationships with all stakeholders.
- Acts as an owner of the business and instills that same attitude and level of action in others. Is proactive in taking responsibility for all outcomes/results and avoids ‘pointing fingers. Helps to create and maintain a strong feeling of belonging in the immediate and overall team.
- Regularly involves others in decisions that affect their job or work environment. Demonstrates co-operation and trust with colleagues and teams across organizational boundaries. Participates as a team player and establishes strong working relationships to deliver positive results.
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize, balance, and manage multiple efforts with strong results/goal orientation. Uses time effectively, prioritizes and organizes workflow; can orchestrate multiple activities at once. Agility and personal adaptability with the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities with a high sense of urgency in a rapidly changing environment.
- Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work. Learns quickly when facing new problems; a relentless and versatile learner; open to change; strives for continuous improvement of self and processes.
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills with the ability to convey information and ideas in a variety of media, tactful, confident, at all levels, internal and external. Must have strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage multiple projects in a rapidly changing environment.
OTHER
- US Persons Only (US citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugee or asylee – all require proper identification and documentation).
- Minimal local travel required.
- Physical and Environmental Requirements: While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.
- The work environment includes front-office and manufacturing. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- Pre-Employment Verifications: Must pass background and reference checks, drug screen, and physical examination prior to employment.
