Color Management Specialist

York Design Group; York (York County); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

York Design Group seeks a Color Management Specialist to bridge creative color intent and production output. Hybrid role connecting Design Studio and Manufacturing, owning color from file creation through final printed product and establishing standard color settings, ICC profiles, and process controls.

You will lead color consistency across substrates, manage RIP software and calibration routines, train operators, and document tolerances for Delta E, density, and gray balance to ensure

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on color management in wide-format digital press and analog print production.
• Masters of color management software and hardware, including spectrophotometers.
• Ability to articulate technical color concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of ICC profiling, rendering intents, and GRACoL CMYK spaces.
• G7 certification and experience with AVA and Photoshop.
• Experience with Fiery, Caldera, Print Factory and/or Onyx RIP software.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison between Design Studio, Pre-press and Manufacturing on color decisions.
• Maintain software across design stations; keep up-to-date with upgrades.
• Standardize CMYK working space (GRACoL) and manage ICC profile library.
• Audit and update RIP software across digital and studio workspaces.
• Create and maintain ICC profiles for inks, substrates and devices.
• Calibrate monitors, proofers and presses with spectrophotometers; log readings for trends.
• Define and document Delta E, density and gray balance tolerance standards.
• Deliver operator training on color management and calibration.

Skills

Color management

Spectrophotometry

ICC profiling

Pre-press coordination

Densitometry

Delta E

Gamut control

Documentation

Education

Associates or 4-year degree in printing technology or related field

Tools

X-Rite

Datacolor

Adobe Creative Suite

Spectrophotometer hardware

AVA

Fiery / Caldera / Onyx RIP

Job description

Description

The Color Management Specialist is responsible for bridging the gap between creative color intent and repeatable production output by improving color consistency, gamut and process control companywide. This is a hybrid, cross-functional role that sits between the Design Studio and the Manufacturing floor. The Specialist owns color from file creation through final printed product — standardizing Studio color settings, managing the ICC profile library, driving ink density and gamut expansion work, and building the daily measurement and tolerance systems that make color repeatable by implementing process controls and compliance to established standards. This role requires a strong grasp of color science, lighting, and specialized profiling tools.

PRIMARY DUTIES

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Design Studio, Pre-press Operations and Manufacturing teams on all manufactured color-related decisions.
• Software: Responsible for maintaining all software to latest version including any identified software changes or upgrades across all design stations in all locations.
• Adobe: Standardize and manage a single CMYK working space (GRACoL)
• AVA: audit color settings across all workstations; perform software updates (AVA / MacOS)
• Standardize TIFF export settings (embedded profile, resolution, bit depth) companywide, and partner with Creative Design leadership to build documented pre-press procedures.
• Evaluate and update RIP software across Digital and Studio workspaces
• Profile Creation: Generate and maintain ICC profiles for various inks, substrates, and printing devices to ensure predictability.
• Audit and maintain the ICC profile library focused on one approved profile per substrate / density combination.
• Assist with building new ICC profiles when new substrates are created.
• Equipment Calibration: Implement a verification routine to regularly calibrate monitors, proofers, and production presses using spectrophotometers and industry-standard software to maintain precision.
• Digital presses — Lab*, density, tone reproduction curves, and gray balance — with all readings logged for trend tracking.
• Design Studio/Graphics Epson printers and monitors.
• Support firmware evaluation where color management or calibration behavior is affected, in coordination with IT and press operations.
• Pre-press: Responsible for digital pre-press ensuring file setup is press ready prior to being received by press operator.
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve color-related discrepancies and workflow issues between design, prepress, and production teams. Implement a preventive maintenance program with documented checks for Studio Epson printers
• Standards:
• Maintain a substrate matrix documenting approved density settings and pass/fail test results as the standing reference for operators.
• Define and document the Delta E, density, and gray balance tolerance standards that become the pass/fail thresholds for daily verification.
• Develop and deliver operator training standards covering color management and calibration, ensuring consistent output regardless of which operator is running the press.
• Maintain lighting standards to be consistent across color viewing areas in all facilities
• All other duties as assigned by management

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Associates or 4-year degree in printing technology related field preferred
• 5+ years of hands‑on color management experience in wide-format digital press platforms and analog print production.
• 3-5 years in pre-press, analog/digital printing or graphic arts.
• Mastery of color management software (such as X‑Rite, Datacolor, or Adobe Creative Suite) and hardware (spectrophotometers).
• Experience with spectrophotometric measurement (Lab*, Delta E, density, TRC, gray balance)
• Ability to articulate technical color concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders and resolve issues collaboratively
• Deep color theory knowledge of ICC profiling, rendering intents, and CMYK color spaces (GRACoL)
• G7 certification required
• Experience with AVA and photoshop required
• Comfortable working both in a design/Studio environment and on the manufacturing floor
• Strong documentation skillset; able to build and maintain standards that operators and designers will follow
• Familiarity with Fiery, Caldera, Print Factory and/or Onyx RIP software required
• Exposure to wallcoverings, textiles, or roll‑good substrate manufacturing

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to walk, climb, stand, bend, squat, pivot and balance.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. occasionally
• Ability to wear required PPE, including gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection and steel-toed shoes.