Mastering, Pre-Press

Fanatics Inc.; Coppell, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Fanatics Inc. seeks a Pre-Press Card Mastering Operator to translate card designs into print-ready master templates, upholding brand and sport guidelines. You will collaborate with design and production teams to ensure accurate color, font, and image fidelity across trading card projects.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in pre-press/production artistry, strong Adobe Creative Suite skills, and a deep understanding of print production workflows to continually enhance efficiency and quality.

Qualifications

• 3+ years proven experience as a pre-press/production artist (print ready files).
• Strong understanding of print production processes and color management.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and related design software.

Responsibilities

• Prepare trading card templates for final execution, ensuring brand and style alignment.
• Perform pre-press tasks and file prep for variable data to ensure print quality.
• Create print-ready files and conduct quality checks on colors, fonts, and images.
• Collaborate with design/production partners to review proofs and resolve issues.

Skills

Pre-press experience

Production artist

Attention to detail

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Acrobat

Job description

The mandate of the Pre-Press team is to translate card designs to accurate, error-free, and quality-checked forms that are ready for press. Fanatics Collectibles is looking for a Pre-Press Card Mastering Operator to establish master/templates for print-ready files in line with our Pre-Press team’s commitment to excellence. The ideal candidate is technically adept across pre-press and workflow systems, exhibits strong attention to detail, and brings deep experience in print file production. Candidates with a passion for sports and entertainment will likely find themselves a strong cultural fit.

In this role, you will…

• Collaborate with the design team to prepare trading card templates for final execution, ensuring that visual elements align with brand, style, and sport guidelines
• Execute pre-press tasks and file preparation for Variable Data composition to ensure optimal file setup and print quality
• Prepare print-ready files and conduct thorough quality checks to verify accuracy and consistency in colors, fonts, and images
• Work closely with creative and production partners to communicate specifications, review proofs, and address any potential issues in the production process
• Stay up to date on industry trends, new printing technologies, and design techniques to continuously improve the quality and efficient production of trading cards
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, marketing, and brand/product to ensure smooth workflow and alignment of creative goals
• Utilize the printing workflow management tool system to process incoming print jobs, ensuring proper file preparation, imposition, and trapping for optimal output
• Provide guidance and training for junior operators and production staff on pre-press and printing workflow management tool system workflows and best practices

The ideal candidate:

• Proven experience (3+ years) as a pre-press / production artist
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat) and other relevant design software
• Strong understanding of print production processes, color separations, and file formats
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain consistency in design across various projects
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines

About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

About the Team

Fanatics Collectibles is a new model and vision for the hobby, fundamentally changing the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and players across many U.S. and international professional and college sports. The organization has long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several sports and entertainment properties, including MLB, MLBPA, the Premier League, MLS, UFC, Formula 1 as well as Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, among others. In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of Topps, establishing the preeminent licensed trading card brand as the cornerstone of Fanatics’ trading cards and collectibles business, and jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards

Job Info

• Locations 95 Morton St, New York, NY, 10014, US (On-site)