Packaging Production Designer
About the Role
Cole & Ashcroft is looking for a detail-driven Packaging Production Designer to support the development of retail packaging, product programs, and production-ready artwork.
This role is heavily focused on packaging production, dieline development, prepress, flexographic print setup, proofing, and production accuracy. The right person should be comfortable creating and revising dielines, preparing accurate production files, understanding plate setup, reviewing proofs, and supporting press checks when needed.
This is not a traditional graphic design-only role. The strongest candidate will have hands-on packaging production, dieline, prepress, and print execution experience.
Graphic design is still part of the role, but packaging design and flexo print plate experience is a must.
What This Role Focuses On
This position is best suited for someone with strong experience in:
- Packaging layouts
- Box dielines
- Flexographic printing
- Prepress file setup
- Plate setup and color separations
- Production-ready artwork
- Proof review
- Press checks
- Retail packaging programs
- Digital mockups and presentation visuals
Responsibilities
Packaging Design & Dielines
- Create and revise packaging dielines for boxes, bags, wraps, displays, and other retail packaging formats.
- Build accurate packaging layouts using Adobe Illustrator.
- Review measurements, folds, panels, glue areas, bleeds, registration, and print tolerances.
- Prepare files for sampling, mockups, customer presentations, and final production.
Print Production & Prepress
- Prepare production-ready artwork files for flexographic printing and other print methods.
- Set up artwork for plate separation, including:
- CMYK
- Spot colors
- White plates
- Specialty plates
- Overprint
- Knockouts
- Trapping
- Bleeds
- Review printer proofs, color separations, and production files for accuracy before release.
- Support press checks when needed, including reviewing:
- Color
- Registration
- Print quality
- Plate accuracy
- Overall execution against approved artwork
Artwork & Graphic Design
- Apply approved artwork across multiple packaging formats within retail programs and seasonal assortments.
- Create digital mockups and presentation visuals for internal and customer use.
- Develop or adapt artwork assets as needed, including:
- Patterns
- Icons
- Motifs
- Illustrations
- Supporting graphics
- Follow internal design briefs, customer direction, brand standards, and retailer requirements.
File Organization & Communication
- Maintain organized digital files, artwork libraries, production files, and version control.
- Package and release final files clearly and accurately.
- Collaborate with internal teams, vendors, printers, and leadership.
- Ask clear questions when specifications are incomplete.
- Help identify and resolve production issues before files move into sampling or final production.
- Manage multiple packaging and production tasks in a fast-moving retail development environment.
Requirements
- 3 to 5+ years of professional experience in packaging design, production art, prepress, or a related print production role.
- Strong packaging layout experience required.
- Ability to create and revise box dielines, not just place artwork onto existing templates.
- Strong understanding of flexographic printing and print production requirements.
- Experience preparing final production files for packaging vendors, printers, or manufacturing partners.
- Experience with plate setup, color separations, bleeds, trapping, overprint, knockouts, and registration.
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator required.
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop required.
- Strong attention to detail with measurements, alignment, scaling, file setup, and production accuracy.
- Ability to review proofs and identify issues before files move into sampling or production.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to take direction, apply feedback quickly, and stay organized.
- Strong file management and version control habits.
Preferred Experience
- Experience with retail packaging for mass market customers.
- Experience with seasonal, gift, party, craft, bake, shipping, or consumer goods packaging.
- Experience creating digital mockups for customer presentations.
- Experience working directly with printers, factories, or packaging vendors.
- Experience with press checks, proofing, plate files, and specialty print setups.
- Experience developing original artwork assets is a plus.
Compensation
Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
