Graphic Prepress Assistant

Pacific Southwest Container, LLC; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Southwest Container, LLC is hiring a Graphic Prepress Assistant to support the Prepress Team in Modesto, CA. This role focuses on pre-flighting customer files, organizing digital assets, and preparing proofs for production in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

The successful candidate will demonstrate keen attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining PSC quality standards.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Familiarity with MacOS and digital artwork formats.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities; able to work independently when needed.
• Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.

Responsibilities

• Pre-flight incoming artwork and production files to identify issues.
• Review files for basic technical requirements before production.
• Maintain organized digital file folders per department procedures.
• Quality-check PDFs and proofs against PSC standards.
• Log, track, and archive proofs and artwork files.
• Assist with file preparation and production-related tasks for the Prepress Team.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

MacOS

Attention to detail

Organization

Time management

Communication skills

Teamwork

Independence

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Esko DeskPack

PDF proofing tools

Job description

At PSC, you're more than an employee – you're a team member. We continue to invest in our team the same way we've invested in our technology. If you are looking for somewhere to grow and make an impact, join us in pushing the boundaries of what packaging can be.

Our mission is to craft packaging that balances the needs of our clients with the needs of their consumers. When we collaborate with our clients, the work we do has a direct effect on their success as well as their bottom line. Our team members take pride in knowing that they do more than make a box: they craft an experience.

One Team, One Dream

PSC is a committed team, and we work closely together across functions from manufacturing to design, and even sales and marketing. We believe in learning from and with each other, in the spirit of collaboration and teamwork, to make innovative solutions a reality. Every client project brings new challenges and problems to solve, and it takes the whole team to make those outcomes possible.

Located in California's Central Valley

We are headquartered in beautiful Modesto, California, where we’ve been from the beginning. As we've grown, we opened offices and facilities in Visalia to better serve our customers. See open positions near you below.

Building a legacy means investing in our team – not just in training and development, but also in ensuring our team members have the support, flexibility, and security they need to be successful. We offer a competitive benefits package that reflects our commitment to meeting our team members' needs.

Careers at PSC

Position:Graphic Prepress Assistant

Location: Modesto - MOD, CA

Job Id:441

# of Openings:1

Position Overview:

Pacific Southwest Container, LLC is a world-class manufacturer of innovative custom packaging solutions. Team PSC serves a diverse customer base and has earned a reputation as a market leader in innovation, service, design, printing, and converting across a wide variety of packaging products.

The Graphic Prepress Assistant provides administrative, technical, and production support to the Prepress Team. This position is responsible for pre-flighting incoming customer files, maintaining organized digital file structures, inspecting and logging incoming proofs, and assisting with the preparation and organization of files throughout the prepress process.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, organization, computer proficiency, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This position provides an opportunity to develop additional technical prepress skills and advance within the department based on performance, demonstrated capabilities, and business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Pre-flight incoming customer artwork and production files to identify potential issues or missing information.
• Review files for basic technical requirements prior to moving them into the production workflow.
• Organize and maintain digital file folders and file structures according to established department procedures.
• Quality-check digital PDFs and physical contract proofs against PSC quality standards.
• Log and track incoming proofs and other prepress materials.
• Assist Prepress Team Members with file preparation, organization, and production-related tasks.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation associated with customer files and proofs.
• Assist with locating, retrieving, and archiving artwork and production files as needed.
• Follow established naming conventions, file-management procedures, and workflow requirements.
• Communicate file issues, missing information, or other concerns to the appropriate Prepress Team Member.
• Help prioritize and track multiple projects to support on-time completion of customer requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workstation and work area.
• Follow all company safety, quality, security, and operational procedures.
• Protect the confidentiality and integrity of customer artwork and proprietary information.
• Participate in ongoing training to develop knowledge of packaging prepress processes and technologies.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position includes the ability to:

• Accurately pre-flight and organize incoming files.
• Maintain an organized and reliable digital file structure.
• Identify and communicate basic file or proofing issues before they impact production.
• Complete assigned tasks accurately and within established timelines.
• Effectively manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Work collaboratively with Prepress, Sales, Customer Service, and Production Team Members.
• Demonstrate initiative and a willingness to learn advanced prepress processes.
• Maintain a positive, professional, and team-oriented approach.

Required Skills, Training, and Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) preferred.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
• Familiarity with MacOS.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to learn technical processes and software applications.
• Basic understanding of digital artwork and graphic file formats.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate direction and follow-up.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in graphic design, prepress, printing, packaging, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with packaging artwork and structural layouts.
• Experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop in a production environment.
• Basic understanding of color, resolution, image formats, and print-ready artwork.
• Familiarity with PDF production files and proofing processes.
• Previous experience with Esko, DeskPack, or other packaging prepress software is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to frequently use a keyboard, mouse, and other computer input devices.
• Ability to stand and walk throughout the workday as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move materials, files, proofs, or other items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to maintain sufficient visual acuity for detailed computer, artwork, and proof inspection.
• Ability to communicate effectively in an office and manufacturing environment.

This position primarily works in a professional prepress and manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with Prepress, Sales, Customer Service, Quality, and Production Team Members. The environment may include exposure to typical manufacturing noise, paper dust, and varying temperatures when entering production areas.

The position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and multiple projects. The successful candidate must demonstrate reliability, professionalism, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn and grow within the Prepress department.

As a family business, caring for one another is part of our mission. Creating a culture of 360-degree health means valuing and investing in the physical safety, as well as the physical and mental health, of our team.

TEAMWORK

At PSC we have team members, not employees. Working together as a team, towards a common goal, allows us to reach heights that are greater than what we could achieve alone. This requires trust, respect, healthy debate, and accountability.

QUALITY

We believe in fostering a culture of quality. This starts with hiring high-quality team members who demonstrate integrity, humility, and grit. Next, it requires investing in high-quality and innovative equipment while maintaining world-class systems and processes. The result is packaging that sets the bar for quality.

SUSTAINABILITY

We recognize our responsibility to grow, adapt, and evolve for future generations. We do this by focusing on the sustainability of our team, business, and environment. We invest in the personal and professional growth of our team members through training, development, and education programs. We continuously invest in new technologies, equipment, and practices so that we can go where our customers grow. Lastly, we make decisions today, and set goals for the future, to minimize our impact on the planet.