Print Production Designer

Cella; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Prescription

Dental

Vision

AD&D

Life insurance

Short-term disability

401K

Job summary

Cella in Los Angeles is seeking a Print Production Designer to translate creative concepts into production-ready files for a range of physical outputs. You will own end-to-end pre-press, manage color workflows, and collaborate with print producers, vendors, and studios to ensure quality and manufacturability.

The role requires strong technical and creative skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple projects under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in print production design or related field.
• Strong understanding of CMYK, Pantone, color profiles, and color management.
• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Experience with large-format printing, substrates, and finishing techniques.

Responsibilities

• Translate concepts into production-ready files for physical outputs.
• Own end-to-end pre-press preparation from setup to release.
• Prepare mechanicals and production files per vendor specs.
• Perform preflight checks for color, bleeds, dielines, and accuracy.
• Coordinate with printers, fabricators, and vendors to troubleshoot issues.
• Review proofs for color accuracy, dimensions, and materials.
• Maintain organized production files and documentation.

Skills

Print production

Pre-press

Color management

Adobe CC

Tools

Illustrator

InDesign

Photoshop

Job description

Compensation Range: $35 - 48 per hour

Location: Los Angeles, California

Job Type: Contract

Compensation Range: $35 - 48 per hour

We are seeking a highly detail-oriented Print Production Designer to support the translation of creative concepts into high-quality physical experiences and finished materials. This role combines strong design sensibility with deep print production and pre-press expertise, ensuring that creative work is technically accurate, production-ready, and executed to a high standard. The Print Production Designer will partner closely with creative teams, print producers, vendors, fabricators, and other production stakeholders throughout the development and execution process. The ideal candidate understands both the creative and technical sides of print and can anticipate production challenges while maintaining the integrity of the original creative vision. This role will work across a wide range of physical outputs, including large-format print, OOH, retail displays, catalogs, direct mail, collateral, environmental graphics, pop-ups, experiential installations, and other branded physical applications.

Responsibilities:

• Translate creative concepts and designs into technically accurate, production-ready files for a variety of physical applications.
• Own the end-to-end pre-press preparation of assigned deliverables, from initial file setup through final production release.
• Prepare mechanicals, press-ready artwork, and production files according to printer, fabricator, and vendor specifications.
• Conduct thorough preflight and quality-control checks to ensure accuracy across dimensions, resolution, color, bleeds, dielines, trapping, overprint, and other technical requirements.
• Apply strong knowledge of CMYK, Pantone, color profiles, substrates, finishing techniques, and large-format printing processes.
• Produce proofs, color tests, mockups, and high-resolution fine art prints to support creative reviews and production approvals.
• Collaborate closely with print producers and external vendors to troubleshoot technical issues and ensure manufacturability.
• Work directly with specialty printers, fabricators, and production partners as needed to communicate specifications and resolve production challenges.
• Review vendor proofs and samples for color accuracy, dimensions, materials, finishing, and overall execution.
• Help identify potential production issues early and recommend practical solutions without compromising creative intent.
• Support physical print testing, prototyping, cutting, trimming, mounting, and other hands-on production activities as needed.
• Support ongoing studio print initiatives and additional campaign requests based on business needs and capacity.
• Maintain organized production files, documentation, specifications, and final deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in print production design, graphic production, pre-press, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of commercial and large-format printing processes.
• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Strong understanding of color management, CMYK/Pantone, profiles, resolution, bleeds, dielines, trapping, overprint, and file preparation.
• Experience working with a variety of substrates, print methods, and finishing techniques.
• Experience preparing artwork for OOH, retail, environmental, experiential, packaging, or other physical applications.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to production accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and production requirements simultaneously.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with both creative and production teams.
• Ability to work directly with printers, fabricators, and other external production vendors.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities and deliverables may shift.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with large-format printing and physical prototyping.
• Experience supporting retail, experiential, environmental, or pop-up installations.
• Hands-on experience with mounting, trimming, cutting, and other print finishing processes.
• Familiarity with fine art printing and color-critical production.
• Experience working within an in-house creative studio or brand environment.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes and physical materials.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means that the creative vision is accurately and consistently translated into the final physical product. The ideal candidate combines creative understanding, technical expertise, meticulous quality control, and practical production knowledge to ensure work is delivered accurately, efficiently, and ready for manufacture.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Cella, a randstad digital company, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact [e-mail].

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc.

In addition, Cella by randstad digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• medical
• prescription
• dental
• vision
• AD&D
• life insurance offerings
• short-term disability
• 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility)

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.

Qualified applicants in San Francisco with criminal histories will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.