Prelim/Prepress Operator 1

RRD; Timonium (MD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

Maternity leave

Job summary

RRD is seeking a pre-press professional to review client files and prepare layouts for printing, ensuring accuracy before plate making. You will manipulate pages to fit paper dimensions, account for folds, bleeds, and crop marks.

Collaborate with Customer Service and production, load files onto the pre-press server, and create proofs for the press team. Experience with digital and litho presses is ideal, and proficiency with Mac/PC desktop publishing software and common file formats is required.

Qualifications

• Experience with files that go to Digital Presses and/or Litho Presses is ideal.
• Proficient with Mac and PC desktop publishing software.
• Strong understanding of digital file formats (pdf, tiff, eps) from Mac/PC.
• Basic color management skills and ability to work with different digital formats.
• Understanding of the offset printing process and how one color affects another.
• Mechanical skills using small hand tools for maintenance on printing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Review client files for thoroughness and completeness before plate making.
• Manipulate the format of the print job using desktop publishing software to fit paper dimensions.
• Determine page layout, folds, trims, bleeds, gripper; add crop marks and color bars as needed.
• Identify missing or problematic components and communicate with Customer Service Reps and production.
• Load customer supplied files onto the Pre-Press server for output.
• Create electronic image of pages to generate manufacturing proofs for Press and Bind operators.
• May prepare color proofs for customer review.
• Collaborate with Customer Service and production to resolve any job issues.

Skills

Graphic design experience

Pre-press workflow familiarity

Tools

Desktop publishing software (Mac/PC)

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.

Job Description

• Graphic Design experience is a plus for this particular position.
• Review electronic files that are received from clients and check them for thoroughness and completeness in advance of the plate making process.
• Using desktop publishing software manipulate the format of the print job to the dimensions of the paper.
• Determine page layout, accounting for folds, trims, bleeds and gripper, and add crop marks and color bars as necessary.
• Identify missing or problematic components and communicate them to the Customer Service Reps, customer(s), and production personnel.
• Work directly with Customer Service Reps, customer(s), and production personnel as necessary to work out any problems with the job.
• Load customer supplied electronic files for output, onto the Pre-Press file server.
• Create an electronic image of the pages to create manufacturing proofs used by the Press and Bind operators during the manufacturing process.
• May prepare color proofs for customer review.

Qualifications

• Experience with files that go to Digital Presses and/or Litho Presses ideal.
• Must be able to work with various graphic design and layout software applications commonly used on Mac's and PC's.
• Good understanding of digital file formats (pdf, tiff, eps) from different operating systems (Mac and PC) is required.
• Basic color management skills and the ability to work with different digital formats are required. Must have the ability to output digital files to various output devices; must have the ability to continue to learn and use new graphics software on an ongoing basis.
• Must have an understanding of the offset printing process and how one color affects another.
• Mechanical skills using small hand tools in order to make minor repairs and perform maintenance on a flatbed scanner, image setter, and automated film processing equipment is required.

Additional Information

The pay range for this role at the noted location is $19.01 - $27.18 / 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 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.