Digital Press Operator & Production Lead

Great Hire; West Chatsworth (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Hire in Chatsworth, CA seeks an experienced Digital Press Operator & Production Lead to manage end-to-end production, from file preflight to final finishing, ensuring color consistency and uptime.

You will lead high-speed press operations, oversee makeready, substrate handling, and quality control across multiple lines, while coordinating with pre-press and bindery teams to optimize workflow and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on digital printing and production leadership.
• Experience in fast-paced commercial printing and packaging.
• Strong color management and makeready skills.
• Ability to manage end-to-end production lifecycle.
• Proficient with ICC profiles and color consistency.
• Experience with wide-format and specialty packaging is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operate high-speed digital presses for diverse applications.
• Execute press makeready with substrate loading and ink density adjustments.
• Perform color calibration and verification across substrates.
• Test substrates to ensure integrity during high-volume runs.
• Review files and preflight to meet press specs.
• Coordinate with pre-press and bindery for seamless workflow.
• Manage daily production schedules and on-time delivery.
• Maintain production logs and data for management review.

Skills

High-speed press operations

Color management & ICC profiling

Preflight & file integrity

Substrate handling

Leadership & production scheduling

Maintenance troubleshooting

Documentation & logs

Digital press systems

ICC profiling software

Tools

Digital press systems

ICC profiling software

Job description

Digital Press Operator & Production Lead

Chatsworth, United States | Posted on 08/19/2026

Digital Press Operator & Production Lead

Position Overview: We are seeking a technical DigitalPress Operator and Production Lead with a deep background in high-volumecommercial print and specialty packaging. This role requires a subject matterexpert capable of managing the end-to-end production lifecycle—from complexfile preflight to final finishing—while maintaining strict color consistencyand equipment uptime.

Technical Responsibilities & Duties

Press Operations & Technical Setup

• High-SpeedExecution: Operate high-speed digital presses for diverse applicationsincluding commercial print, direct mail, business cards, folding cartons,and specialty packaging.
  
• AdvancedMakeready: Execute comprehensive press makeready procedures, includingsubstrate loading, ink density adjustments, and precise registration setupprior to every production run.
  
• ColorScience Management: Perform expert-level color calibration andverification. Utilize ICC profile management and color profiling toensure brand-accurate output across varied paper stocks and materials.
  
• SubstrateHandling: Conduct substrate testing to achieve accurate results onspecialized materials, ensuring substrate integrity throughout high-volumeruns.
  

Pre-Press & File Integrity

• TechnicalPreflight: Review and preflight-check digital files to meet exactpress specifications; identify and resolve file-related issues before theyreach the production floor.
  
• WorkflowOptimization: Coordinate closely with pre-press and bindery teams toensure a seamless workflow from initial file receipt through finishedproduct delivery.
  

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• MechanicalDiagnosis: Troubleshoot and resolve complex press mechanical issuesand color discrepancies to minimize downtime.
  
• PreventativeMaintenance: Perform routine maintenance including deep cleaning,lubrication, and component inspections to maximize press uptime andequipment longevity.
  

Departmental Leadership & Quality Control

• ProductionOversight: Manage daily production schedules, job queuing, and on-timedelivery across multiple production lines.
  
• QualityAuditing: Pull samples and make real-time adjustments during runs tomaintain output standards; perform continuous color consistency andregistration inspections.
  
• AdministrativeTracking: Maintain detailed production logs, waste tracking reports,and daily output data for management review.
  

Technical Skill Set

• DigitalPress Systems: Expert-level operation of high-speed digital printingequipment.
  
• ColorManagement: Proficiency in color calibration, ICC profiling, and inkdensity management.
  
• SpecialtyApplications: Experience in wide-format printing (banners, vehiclewraps, flags), lamination, and folding carton production.
  
• Software/Workflow: Advanced file preflight and preparation; deep understanding of print-readyfile specifications.
  
• EquipmentCare: Skilled in mechanical adjustments, calibration, and preventativemaintenance protocols.
  

Experience Requirements

• Tenure:5+ years of hands-on experience in digital printing and productionleadership.
  
• Environment: Proven success in fast-paced commercial and packaging environments.
  

Shift: 1st or 2nd

2nd 1pm - 10:30pm +OT

Pay rate - 30-40/hr DOE

Great Hire is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, employing, retaining, promoting, terminating, and otherwise treating all employees on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. We do not discriminate on the basis of any trait or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.