KR -Prelim/Prepress Operator 1

RRD; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

401(k) with match

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

Maternity leave

Adoption assistance

Employee discounts

Job summary

RRD, a leading global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions, seeks a Prepress Operator I to prepare, review, and process files for digital and offset printing. You’ll work with Customer Service, Planners, and Production to ensure accuracy, proper preparation, and correct routing based on color, stock, and finishing specs.

The role emphasizes quality control, color accuracy, and adherence to production processes, with cross-training across digital and offset

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of digital and offset printing processes.
• Ability to review electronic files and identify potential production issues.
• Familiarity with prepress, desktop publishing, and PDF-processing software.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to read and understand job tickets and production specifications.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Customer Service, Planning, Prepress, and Production teams.
• Ability to prioritize multiple jobs in a fast-paced production environment.
• Willingness to learn different prepress, digital, and offset processes.
• Ability to safely operate or learn to operate plate-making and related prepress equipment.
• Ability to maintain accurate inventory records and assist with material ordering.
• Must adhere to all SQF rules and regulations, general environmental health & safety rules for professional services.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and download electronic files for digital and offset printing.
• Review files for accuracy, completeness, and print-readiness.
• Use prepress software to manipulate and prepare files for production.
• Determine layouts and impositions based on stock sizes and production requirements.
• Verify job specifications, quantities, stock, color, and finishing requirements.
• Identify issues and clarify requirements with Customer Service or Planning.
• Send files to the appropriate printer based on color, stock, finishing, and production needs.
• Make adjustments to color, imposition, and file setup to meet specs.
• Prepare and match color output according to processes and requirements.
• Maintain offset plate-making equipment and load/replace plate material as needed.
• Collaborate with Customer Service on production jobs and file requirements.
• Verify files are prepared correctly before release to minimize errors and delays.
• Maintain inventory of materials and supplies used for digital and offset printing.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with ordering materials.
• Assist with monthly inventory of supplies.
• Follow safety, quality, and production procedures.
• Cross-train and assist other Prepress and Production functions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Prepress

Digital printing

Offset printing

File review

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem solving

Inventory management

Multi-tasking

Safety compliance

Tools

PDF processing

Desktop publishing

Imposition software

Plate-making equipment

Job description

RRD is a leading global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions that elevate engagement across the complete customer journey. The company offers the industry’s most trusted portfolio of creative execution and world-wide business process consulting, with services designed to lower environmental impact. With 22,000 clients, including 93% of the Fortune 100, and 32,000 employees across 28 countries, RRD brings the expertise, execution, and scale designed to transform customer touchpoints into meaningful moments of impact.

RRD is a leading global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions that elevate engagement across the complete customer journey. The company offers the industry’s most trusted portfolio of creative execution and world-wide business process consulting, with services designed to lower environmental impact. With 22,000 clients, including 93% of the Fortune 100, and 32,000 employees across 28 countries, RRD brings the expertise, execution, and scale designed to transform customer touchpoints into meaningful moments of impact.

Job Description

The Prepress Operator 1 is responsible for preparing, reviewing, and processing electronic files for both digital and offset printing. This position works closely with Customer Service, Planners, and Production to ensure files are accurate, properly prepared, and routed to the appropriate printing equipment based on color requirements, stock, and finishing specifications.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare and download electronic files received from various sources for digital and offset printing.
• Review electronic files for accuracy, completeness, and print-readiness.
• Use desktop publishing and prepress software to manipulate and prepare files for digital and offset production.
• Determine appropriate page layouts and impositions based on available stock sizes and production requirements.
• Review job tickets against electronic files to verify job specifications, quantities, stock, color, and finishing requirements.
• Identify file, ticket, or production issues and communicate with Customer Service or Planning to clarify requirements and validate solutions before production.
• Send files to the appropriate digital or offset printer based on color, stock, finishing, and production requirements.
• Make necessary adjustments to color, imposition, and file setup to meet production specifications.
• Prepare and match color output according to established production processes and requirements.
• Maintain and operate the offset plate-making equipment.
• Load and replace plate material for offset printing as needed.
• Work directly with Customer Service regarding production jobs, file requirements, and potential issues.
• Verify that files are prepared correctly before releasing them to production to minimize errors, reprints, and delays.
• Maintain inventory of materials and supplies used for digital and offset printing.
• Monitor stock and supply levels and assist with ordering materials for Digital and Offset departments.
• Assist with the monthly inventory of supplies and materials.
• Follow established safety, quality, and production procedures.
• Cross-train and assist other Prepress and Production functions as needed.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications / Skills

• Basic understanding of digital and offset printing processes.
• Ability to review electronic files and identify potential production issues.
• Familiarity with prepress, desktop publishing, and PDF-processing software preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to read and understand job tickets and production specifications.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Customer Service, Planning, Prepress, and Production teams.
• Ability to prioritize multiple jobs in a fast-paced production environment.
• Willingness to learn different prepress, digital, and offset processes.
• Ability to safely operate or learn to operate plate-making and related prepress equipment.
• Ability to maintain accurate inventory records and assist with material ordering.
• Must adhear to all SQF rules and regulations, general environmental health & safety rules for professional services.

Additional Information

The pay range for this role at the noted location is $21.20 to $28.65 per hour. The actual rate of pay offered may vary based upon, but not limited to: education, skills, experience, proficiency, performance, shift, and location. In addition to base salary, depending on the role, the total compensation package may also include [a sign-on bonus of $X,XXX], overtime, shift differential, call-in, and stand-by pay. RRD offers benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, disability insurance, 401(k) with match, life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, plus tuition assistance, maternity leave, adoption assistance, and employer/partner discounts

RRD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans

At RRD, we value innovation, authenticity, and integrity. To uphold the security and fairness of our hiring process, we ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools during interviews to ensure an authentic and secure experience. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain a transparent and equitable hiring process.

All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of both a pre-employment background and drug screen.