Packaging Designer

Tritha Graphics; Ahmedabad District; On-site; INR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Tritha Graphics is seeking a detail-oriented prepress specialist to lead core technical prepress responsibilities, including artwork inspection, preflight, and color mode audits for flexo production.

You will optimize trapping, bleed, dot gain, distortion, screen settings, layout imposition, press marks, and RIP workflows, coordinating with clients and press teams to ensure accurate, high-quality separations and proofs across substrates, including corrugated, film, label, and woven materials.

Job description

Core Technical Prepress Responsibilities

Artwork Inspection & Preflighting

• Analyze Incoming Files: Inspect client design files (AI, PDF, EPS, PSD) for resolution, embedded fonts, linked assets, missing elements, and dielines.
• Color Mode & Separation Audit: Convert RGB/CMYK files into press‑ready separations (Process CMYK + Spot/Pantone colors) tailored to the client's press capacity.
• Assess Printability: Check for flexo limitations such as text size (positive and reverse), minimum stroke weight, and barcode readability (scaling and truncation rules).

Flexo‑Specific File Optimization

• Trapping & Bleed Management: Apply precise choke/spread trapping values based on substrate and press type (e.g., corrugated, film, label, or woven sack) to prevent misregistration gaps on press.
• Dot Gain Compensation (DGC) & Bump Curves: Apply appropriate compensation curves (press curve / plate curve) to ensure smooth vignettes and prevent harsh highlight drop‑offs.
• Minimum Dot Management: Eliminate unstable highlight dots below the safe minimum holding threshold (e.g., 0.8%2% depending on screening technology like HD Flexo or flat‑top dot).
• Distortion & Elongation Calculation: Accurately calculate and apply stretch/distortion percentages along the print cylinder circumference based on plate thickness, sticky‑back/tape thickness, and cylinder repeat length.
• Screen Ruling & Angle Setting: Set appropriate screen rulings (LPI) and screen angles per separation to avoid moir patterns and ensure clean ink laydown on specific anilox roll configurations.

Layout, Imposition & Step‑and‑Repeat

• Plate Layout Imposition: Build step‑and‑repeat layouts optimizing polymer plate area utilization while maintaining correct cylinder repeat and web width.
• Press Mark Integration: Position essential press aids accurately:
  • Register marks and micro‑dots for plate mounting alignment.
  • Bearer bars / bearer tracks to stabilize printing pressure across cylinders.
  • Eye marks for slitters/bag‑making and color identification patches/slug lines.
• Staggered & Cut‑Plate Layouts: Plan split‑plate or staggered layouts for corrugated/woven sack printing to minimize plate consumption and mounting stress.

RIP Workflow & Imager Output

• RIP File Preparation: Output calibrated 1‑bit TIFFs or RIP workflows through systems like Esko DeskPack/PackEdge/Automation Engine or Kodak/Hybrid software.
• Screening Selection: Apply specialized screening technologies (e.g., HD Flexo, Crystal screens, Flat‑Top Dot surface patterns) appropriate for the specific photopolymer plate grade.
• Digital Inspection: Perform digital 1‑bit TIFF soft‑proofing (checking traps, overprints, knockout text, and separation channels) prior to laser exposure.

2. Quality Assurance & Proofing

• Client Approval Proofs: Generate clear 1:1 scale soft proofs (PDFs with separation breakdowns, dimensions, and plate thickness specifications) for customer sign‑off.
• Pre‑Imager Quality Check: Verify critical parameters against the job card:
  • Plate thickness (e.g., 1.14 mm, 1.70 mm, 2.84 mm, 3.94 mm, etc.)
  • Surface or reverse print orientation (emulsion up/down)
  • Repeat size and print width
• Sample Archiving & Version Control: Maintain structured file archives with date/revision tags to avoid running obsolete artwork versions on re‑orders.

3. Operations & Team Coordination

• Production Handover: Pass imaged data and clear job sheets to the plate‑making machine operator with exact exposure and processing guidelines.
• Technical Client Consultation: Communicate with print clients or brand owners when their artwork needs modifications to meet press tolerances (e.g., suggesting a 5th spot color instead of a 4‑color process build).
• Root‑Cause Analysis: Coordinate with press operators/clients on plate feedback (e.g., bridging, gear marks, or highlight scumming) to fine‑tune prepress curves for subsequent runs.