Print Production Specialist

AppleOne Employment Services; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

AppleOne Employment Services seeks a Print Production Specialist in San Diego, CA, for a full-time, direct hire. You will manage customer print and direct mail projects from order to delivery, coordinate with production teams, and ensure accuracy of data, proofs, and schedules.

Ideal candidates have 6–10 years in commercial printing or direct mail, strong customer service, and experience with VDP workflows. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience managing commercial print and direct mail projects from order to delivery.
• Strong understanding of print production workflows including prepress and mailing processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage customer print and direct mail projects from initial order entry through final production, mailing, delivery, and completion.
• Prepare and review quotes, job specifications, work orders, proofs, production requirements, and customer communications.
• Coordinate with prepress, digital print, bindery, mailing, production teams, and outside vendors to keep projects accurate and on schedule.
• Review customer artwork, PDFs, mailing lists, Excel/CSV files, variable data files, barcodes, and personalized print requirements.
• Create, modify, proof, and troubleshoot Variable Data Printing projects using FusionPro or comparable VDP software.
• Monitor production timelines, identify potential print or mailing issues, and proactively communicate status updates to customers.

Skills

Print production

VDP

Customer service

Project management

Data merging

Tools

FusionPro

Printer's Plan

Adobe Acrobat

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a Print Production Specialist for a full-time, direct hire opportunity with an established and growing commercial printing and direct mail operation in San Diego, CA. This role is ideal for a print, direct mail, digital production, or VDP professional who enjoys working directly with customers while staying closely connected to the production process.

This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants to be involved in the complete project life cycle, from customer requests, estimating, and artwork review through variable data, print production, finishing, mailing, and final delivery. You will join a collaborative, fast-paced environment where customer service, technical accuracy, teamwork, and follow-through are valued.

The company offers a stable production setting, supportive leadership, and the opportunity to work closely with experienced print, prepress, mailing, and production professionals. Candidates who enjoy solving problems, coordinating details, and helping customers execute successful print and direct mail campaigns will find this role rewarding.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage customer print and direct mail projects from initial order entry through final production, mailing, delivery, and completion.


• Prepare and review quotes, job specifications, work orders, proofs, production requirements, and customer communications.


• Coordinate with prepress, digital print, bindery, mailing, production teams, and outside vendors to keep projects accurate and on schedule.


• Review customer artwork, PDFs, mailing lists, Excel/CSV files, variable data files, barcodes, and personalized print requirements.


• Create, modify, proof, and troubleshoot Variable Data Printing projects using FusionPro or comparable VDP software.


• Monitor production timelines, identify potential print or mailing issues, and proactively communicate status updates to customers.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $75,000 to $95,000 per year.


• Employment type: Direct hire.


• Schedule: Full-time.


• Benefits may include medical, dental, and vision insurance.


• Benefits may include paid time off and paid holidays.


• Benefits may include 401(k), performance incentives or bonuses where applicable, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Manage commercial print and direct mail projects from customer request through production, mailing, and delivery.


• Coordinate estimating, order entry, proofing, VDP, production scheduling, finishing, and mailing requirements.


• Work directly with customers and internal production teams to resolve job specifications, data, artwork, proofing, and deadline issues.


• Use print management and production workflow tools to support estimating, scheduling, job tracking, and accurate project documentation.


• 6 to 10 years of experience in commercial printing, digital print production, direct mail, print production coordination, print account management, or a related production environment.


• Strong understanding of print production workflows, including prepress, PDFs, proofing, color, paper, substrates, bindery, finishing, and mailing processes.


• Experience with Variable Data Printing, personalized print campaigns, data merging, Excel/CSV files, customer databases, and mailing lists.


• Ability to read and interpret print specifications, production requirements, work orders, and customer instructions.


• Strong customer service, communication, organization, and project management skills.


• Ability to manage multiple customer projects, deadlines, approvals, and production details at the same time.


• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and comfort working in a fast-paced print production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with FusionPro or comparable VDP software.


• Experience with Printer's Plan or similar print management software for estimating, scheduling, job tracking, costing, or invoicing.


• Familiarity with USPS mailing requirements, CASS, NCOA/Move Update, postal presorting, address validation, and postal barcoding.


• Experience with Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, or related prepress and design tools.


• Knowledge of digital production presses, inkjet or toner production, cutters, folders, booklet makers, inserters, and other production equipment.


• Background as a Print Account Manager, Print Production Coordinator, Print Customer Service Representative, Direct Mail Specialist, Digital Print Specialist, VDP Specialist, Print Project Manager, or Prepress/Production Coordinator.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program. https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment‑qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: qualified applications 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.