Prepress Operator

Hearst; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Hearst Newspapers in Houston is seeking a Prepress Operator to review, prepare, and process newspaper and commercial print materials, ensuring accuracy and production specifications before press. The role requires meticulous attention to detail and strong communication in a deadline-driven environment.

Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud and multiple publishing systems is essential, and the job may require evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet production schedules.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud applications is essential.
• Ability to learn and work with multiple production and publishing systems.
• Problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when required.

Responsibilities

• Review pages, layouts, and sections before press to ensure accuracy.
• Verify production specs for commercial print with internal/external teams.
• Monitor emails and communications to address deadlines promptly.
• Coordinate with Editorial and Diagramming teams to resolve issues.
• Manage multiple tasks across platforms while meeting deadlines.
• Operate production systems: Newsway, CUE Print, Naviga, PGL.
• Use Adobe software to review, edit, and prepare files for print.
• Monitor workflows and flag issues impacting quality or delivery.
• Communicate production issues and resolve missing or wrong files.
• Follow procedures, deadlines, quality standards, and press needs.
• Support production team to maintain workflow and daily deadlines.
• Work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Attention to detail

Deadline-driven

Adobe CC proficiency

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Job description

Prepress Operator

Position Summary

Responsible for reviewing, preparing, and processing newspaper and commercial print materials to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with production specifications before files are released to press. This position requires strong attention to detail, effective communication, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and the ability to work efficiently in a deadline-driven production environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Review pages, layouts, plans, and sections to ensure accuracy and completeness before files are released to press plates.
• Verify production specifications for commercial print projects involving both internal departments and external vendors.
• Monitor and maintain awareness of internal and external emails and communications to ensure production requirements, changes, and deadlines are addressed promptly.
• Maintain constant communication with Editorial and Diagramming teams to resolve issues, coordinate changes, and maintain an accurate production workflow.
• Manage multiple tasks and production assignments simultaneously across various platforms while meeting strict deadlines.
• Operate and navigate production systems, including Newsway, CUE Print, Naviga, and PGL .
• Use Adobe software to review, edit, troubleshoot, and prepare files for print production.
• Monitor production workflows and identify issues that could affect page quality, deadlines, press schedules, or delivery .
• Communicate production issues promptly and work with the appropriate teams to resolve missing, incorrect, or problematic files.
• Follow established production procedures, deadlines, quality standards, and press requirements.
• Provide support to other members of the production team as needed to maintain workflow and meet daily deadlines.
• Work flexible hours as required, including evenings, weekends, and holidays , based on production schedules and business needs.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments at the same time.
• Experience working with Adobe Creative Cloud applications is essential.
• Ability to learn and work with multiple production and publishing systems.
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effective.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when required.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories - growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms - to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.

Be a part of something bigger - your headline awaits.

Recognizing the diverse needs of our candidates, if you are interested in applying for employment and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or regarding the application process, please contact us by email at [e-mail]. Please do not use this email address to inquire about the status of applications. We will only respond to inquiries concerning requests for a reasonable accommodation through this email address.

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