Mastering, Pre-Press Operator

Fanatics; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Fanatics Collectibles is seeking a Pre-Press Card Mastering Operator to establish master/templates for print-ready files in line with our Pre-Press team’s standards. The ideal candidate is technically adept across pre-press workflows and has deep experience in print file production, with a passion for sports and collectibles.

You will collaborate with design and production partners to ensure accurate color, fonts, and images, run quality checks, and stay current with printing technologies and

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the design team to prepare trading card templates for final execution, ensuring visuals align with brand, style, and sport guidelines.
• Execute pre-press tasks and file preparation for Variable Data composition for optimal file setup and print quality.
• Prepare print-ready files and perform quality checks for color, fonts, and images.
• Work with creative and production partners to communicate specifications and review proofs.
• Stay up-to-date on printing technologies and design techniques to improve card production quality.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, marketing, and brand/product teams to ensure workflow alignment.
• Utilize the printing workflow management tool to process print jobs, including imposition and trapping.
• Provide guidance and training for junior operators on pre-press workflows.

Skills

Pre-press proficiency

Attention to detail

Communication & collaboration

Project management

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Acrobat

Job description

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 Company

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

Role Summary

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

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Fanatics Collectibles’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.