PrePress and Print Production Contractor (Fall 2026 issue)

Cal Alumni Association; United States; Remote; USD 4,500 - 5,500; Full time

Job summary

The Cal Alumni Association seeks a PrePress and Print Production Contractor to ensure the accurate and timely production of California magazine. You will manage preflight, prepare InDesign files, and coordinate with the Design Director, editorial team, and Quad, our printing partner.

This contract covers the Fall 2026 issue with August press; start in late June is preferred and weekly virtual editorial meetings will be held.

Qualifications

• 2+ years print production experience, preferably working for a magazine.
• Strong understanding of prepress and print industry standards.
• Software fluency in graphics programs (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat)

Responsibilities

• Manages the preflight/prepress processes for all ads, inserts, and editorial content
• Creates template-based layouts for several back-of-book pages
• Creates page (InDesign) files to place ads and inserts
• Creates organized folders on Google Drive for ads and insert pages
• Creates the map for each issue
• Pours final editorial copy as needed to determine word count
• Circulates final layouts to the Design Director and editorial team for approval
• Makes edits on the InDesign files and maintains the files on the server
• Circulates proofs to the Design Director and editorial team for approval
• Processes all images, places final images in InDesign files, and uploads them to Quad
• Uploads press ready PDFs to Quad
• Creates and exports text files of final editorial content and the cover for web publishing
• Creates issue PDFs for web publishing, awards, and promotion
• Assists with image research as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Print production

Deadline-driven

Evenings/weekends flexibility

Tools

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Acrobat

Job description

The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) provides all Cal graduates with rewarding connections to the university, to fellow alums, and to current students. Founded by the original graduates of the University of California in 1872, the Cal Alumni Association today represents more than half a million alums living throughout the world.

Our mission is to cultivate a lifelong relationship with our alma mater by connecting and inspiring alums, students, and the campus community through meaningful and inclusive opportunities. We foster a culture that celebrates diversity, creates a sense of belonging, and advances equity.

The PrePress and Print Production Contractor works closely with the Design Director and the editorial team to ensure the accurate and timely production of the print editions of California magazine, published by the Cal Alumni Association. This position has full responsibility over ensuring that all files adhere to our design standards, are high quality, and ready for printing.

The PrePress and Print Production Contractor will be contracted during the two months of production leading up to press. We currently print our magazine four times a year. This position will support our prepress and production needs for our Fall 2026 issue, with press scheduled in August. Ideally, candidates would be able to start in late June and work until we go to press in late August. Interested candidates must have availability and flexibility in their work schedule during these times, with the ability to participate in weekly virtual editorial meetings.

Since California prints four times a year, there would be an opportunity for the PrePress and Print Production Contractor to renew their contract on a quarterly basis.

The PrePress and Print Production Contactor is the main point of contact between the Design Director and our printing partner, Quad, during the production process. The Contractor also works with Cal Alumni Association’s marketing and business development departments to check and upload all partnership ads, in-house ads, and in-house content for inclusion in the magazine.

Work can be done remotely in the United States. The Cal Alumni Association is located in Berkeley, CA, which is in the Pacific Time Zone. California adjusts annually for daylight savings time. We set and communicate meetings and deadlines based on our Berkeley time zone.

The Cal Alumni Association seeks contractors whose previous experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We are also looking for applicants who demonstrate an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

Responsibilities

• Manages the preflight/prepress processes for all ads, inserts, and editorial content
• Creates template-based layouts for several back-of-book pages
• Creates page (InDesign) files to place ads and inserts
• Creates organized folders on Google Drive for ads and insert pages
• Creates the map for each issue
• Pours final editorial copy as needed to determine word count
• Circulates final layouts to the Design Director and editorial team for approval
• Makes edits on the InDesign files and maintains the files on the server
• Circulates proofs to the Design Director and editorial team for approval
• Processes all images, places final images in InDesign files, and uploads them to Quad
• Uploads press ready PDFs to Quad
• Creates and exports text files of final editorial content and the cover for web publishing
• Creates issue PDFs for web publishing, awards, and promotion
• Assists with image research as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years print production experience, preferably working for a magazine
• Strong understanding of prepress and print industry standards
• Software fluency in graphics programs (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat)
• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• Must have flexibility in work schedule to permit occasional evening and weekend commitments during print production

Freelance Fee

Fee is $5,000 per issue.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Deadline to Apply

June 26, 2026