Packaging Production Designer

Tru Fragrance & Beauty; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Tru Fragrance & Beauty, a Willowbrook, IL and New York City based company, is seeking a mid-level Packaging Production Designer to translate concepts into print-ready layouts for mass retail. You will collaborate with Creative, Product, Packaging Engineering, and vendors to deliver error-free files, optimize costs, and scale fragrance programs while meeting dyelines, color, and labeling standards.

This hybrid role blends creative ideation with precise prepress rigor, requiring strong typography

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in packaging production design (CPG/beauty/fragrance).
• Expert in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for packaging workflows.
• Strong typography skills for packaging.
• Prepress and print production knowledge: Pantone/CMYK, spot colors, foil/emboss plates, varnishes, dyelines.
• Ability to accept feedback and meet deadlines with high accuracy.
• Meticulous attention to detail with error-free files.

Responsibilities

• Build precise mechanical files per dyelines and print specs.
• Prepare vendor-ready art with color builds and separations.
• Design fragrance collections optimized for mass retail.
• Translate concepts into scalable SKUs and line extensions.
• Preflight and QC files; manage revisions and version control.
• Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to resolve manufacturability issues.
• Maintain asset libraries and production checklists.
• Ensure compliance with retailer guidelines and labeling.
• Support cost-reduction through smart materials and gang runs.
• Create mockups and sell-in decks.

Skills

Production mechanics

Color management

Finishes & materials

Organization & file hygiene

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

InDesign

PowerPoint

Job description

Reports to: Vice President, Creative Director

Type: Contract-to-Hire; full-time (Hybrid)

Compensation: Negotiable (based on experience)

We are seeking a mid-level, detail-oriented Packaging Production Designer with deep expertise in building accurate, print-ready mechanicals and the ability to design simple, commercially driven fragrance collections for mass retail. This role translates creative concepts into manufacturable layouts that meet dyelines, print specifications, and production requirements. You will partner closely with Creative, Product, Packaging Engineering, and Vendors to deliver error free files that streamline production, scale fragrance programs, and reduce costs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build precise mechanical files from approved concepts; ensure alignment to dyelines, bleeds, safety, and print specs across cartons, labels, inserts, and secondary packaging.
• Prepare vendor-ready art: correct color builds (CMYK/spot), overprint/knockout, trapping, white/varnish/foil plates, and separations; package all assets with linked files and fonts.
• Design simple, commercially viable fragrance collections (graphics, line architecture, color, typography) optimized for mass retail.
• Translate brand and creative direction into scalable SKUs, size variants, and line extensions; maintain consistency across formats and substrates.
• Preflight and QC all files; manage revisions, feedback, and version control to minimize errors and rework.
• Collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to resolve manufacturability issues; adjust layouts based on proofing, color targets, and press checks.
• Maintain asset libraries, naming conventions, dyeline repositories, spec sheets, and production checklists.
• Ensure compliance with retailer guidelines and regulatory/labeling requirements as applicable (e.g., FPLA, barcodes, claims placement).
• Support cost-reduction through smart material/finish choices, efficient layouts, gang runs, and plate/finish consolidation.
• Create presentation-ready mockups and simple sell-in decks as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• 3–5+ years in packaging production design (CPG/beauty/fragrance or related).
• Expert in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for packaging production workflows. PowerPoint is a plus.
• Strong typography skills (hierarchy, legibility, kerning, grid systems) applied to packaging.
• Solid prepress and print production knowledge: Pantone/CMYK, spot colors, foil/emboss plates, varnishes, dyelines, and substrates.
• Proven ability to accept feedback, manage iterative edits, and deliver on deadlines with high accuracy.
• Meticulous attention to detail; track record of error-free, vendor-ready files.

Nice to Have:

• 3D rendering for bottles and packaging (glass and plastic bottles; caps in various materials such as metal, wood, and plastic). Tools could include Key Shot, Adobe Dimension, Blender, or Cinema 4D.
• Basic understanding of packaging engineering/CAD workflows and collaboration with vendors.

Core Skills:

• Production mechanics: separations, overprint settings, trapping, white ink layers, dieline alignment.
• Color management: proofing, targets, and communication with printers.
• Finishes and materials: foils, emboss/deboss, spot UV, varnishes, labels, cartons.
• Organization: asset management, versioning, file hygiene, and spec documentation.
• Collaboration: clear communication with Creative, Product, Packaging Engineering, and external vendors.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Packaging Design, or related field; or equivalent professional experience.

Application Requirements:

• Portfolio demonstrating packaging mechanicals and print-ready files.
• Design/Production Trial
• 3–5 examples of 3D renderings showing glass/plastic bottles and caps in different materials (if applicable).

Success Looks Like:

• Accurate first-pass vendor approvals with minimal revisions.
• Consistent, on-time delivery of clean, production-ready files.
• Scalable fragrance programs with cohesive, commercially strong design.
• Reduced production errors and costs through thoughtful design and prepress rigor

Company Overview:

Founded in 1969 and operating out of Willowbrook, IL and New York City, Tru Fragrance & Beauty is a portfolio company of Monogram Capital Partners, which acquired a majority stake in the company in 2024.

In addition to the company’s branded portfolio – namely Le Monde Gourmand, Lake & Skye, Supersuite, Leather Vintage Label and Yellowstone – Tru also develops fragrance brands exclusively for retail partners.

Tru maintains a premier position as a multidisciplinary innovation engine and supplier, with a roster of A-list celebrity and retail partners that include ULTA, Nordstrom, Blue Mercury, AEO, Target, TJ Maxx, and UO, among many others.