Plate Room Prepress Tech: Growth & Training

Smurfit-Westrock; Claremont (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Competitive salary

Global packaging company with focus on

Sustainability and safety emphasis

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Plate Room/Prepress Technician in North Carolina to prepare production files, produce high-quality printing plates, and maintain prepress workflows. The role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and adherence to safety and GMP standards.

Responsibilities include file preparation, proofing, imposition, color correction, plate loading, and production tracking. The ideal candidate has experience in prepress or printing and knowledge of Kodak Prinergy

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous prepress, plate making, printing, or graphic arts experience preferred.
• Experience with offset plate production highly preferred.
• Working knowledge of color management and print production processes.
• Ability to safely lift and handle plate materials.
• Ability to stand and work in a manufacturing environment for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Download digital files from FTP sites and prepare/preflight customer files.
• Verify resolution, fonts, color modes, file integrity, and production readiness.
• Build 1-Up files in Unified Workflow; create proof folders and generate/print 1-Up proofs.
• Print files using the Epson proofing printer.
• Step jobs using Kodak Prinergy Layout Automation (PLA).
• Verify layout accuracy and apply required bleeds, marks, barcodes, and press specifications.
• Check jobs using VPS and send approved files to the appropriate output devices.
• Perform color correction and calibration to support accurate color reproduction.
• Apply trapping and other print-quality controls as required.
• Manually load plates into the Kodak Plate Setter and verify plate material quality and squareness.
• Inspect completed plates; validate barcodes and identification information.
• Bend plates to production specifications and produce remake plates as required.
• Operate Kodak Plate Setter equipment and maintain/clean developer processor equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance procedures and promptly report equipment issues.
• Diagnose file-related, color, output, equipment, and workflow issues; take corrective action to minimize downtime.
• Access and complete Sweep Sheets and assigned Master Cleaning Schedule / housekeeping duties.
• Follow plant SQF policy, SQF requirements, quality policy, and quality management requirements.
• Follow product mix-prevention procedures, waste-management procedures, and trash-can color-coding requirements.
• Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), physical-contaminant controls, and housekeeping/sanitation standards.
• Mark jobs complete (plated), maintain the Plate Log, enter jobs plated during the shift, and complete required production tracking.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Time management

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Kodak Prinergy

Esko software

Job description

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Plate Room/Prepress Technician in North Carolina to prepare production files, produce high-quality printing plates, and maintain prepress workflows. The role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and adherence to safety and GMP standards.

Responsibilities include file preparation, proofing, imposition, color correction, plate loading, and production tracking. The ideal candidate has experience in prepress or printing and knowledge of Kodak Prinergy