Sign Production Specialist

Saltwater Signworks; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 24,796 - 38,572; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free uniforms

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Saltwater Signworks in Wilmington, NC is seeking an experienced sign-production professional to own daily wide-format print and vinyl production, guiding projects from approved artwork through file setup, RIP, printing, finishing and final QC for installation.

This hands-on role requires independence and strong communication with sales, design, and installation teams, with a proven track record in sign shops or wide-format graphics environments.

Qualifications

• 2+ years hands-on experience in sign production or wide-format printing.
• Ability to operate a wide-format printer and RIP workflow independently.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator for production prep, not just design.
• Hands-on vinyl finishing: weeding, laminating, mounting, trimming.
• Strong color consistency, tolerances, and quality control knowledge.
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting for equipment/workflow issues.
• Dependable, organized, detail-focused, able to adjust priorities.

Responsibilities

• Plan daily production from file intake to installation-ready output.
• Prepare production files in Illustrator: scaling, bleeds, cut paths.
• Operate printers and RIP software; manage queues, media, profiles.
• Finish vinyl/graphics: weeding, masking, lamination, mounting, trimming.
• Run plotters, laminators, and related sign-production equipment safely.
• Perform final quality checks on color, dimensions, and finish.
• Coordinate with sales/design/install to prevent rework.
• Keep the production area safe, clean, and organized.

Skills

Sign production

Wide-format printing

Adobe Illustrator

Color management

Quality control

Team communication

Tools

HP Latex printers

Onyx RIP

Plotters

Laminators

Rollover tables

Job description

Benefits

• Career Growth Opportunities
• Free uniforms
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance

About the position

We are actively hiring an experienced sign‑production professional to take ownership of day‑to‑day wide‑format print and vinyl production in our Wilmington shop. You will move custom commercial signage from approved artwork through file setup, RIP, printing, finishing, and final quality control so the installation team receives accurate, installation‑ready work on schedule.

This is a hands‑on, experienced‑level position – not an entry‑level production assistant or graphic‑design‑only role. The right candidate has recent experience in a sign shop, wide‑format graphics shop, or comparable commercial print environment and can work independently while communicating well with sales, design, and installation.

We are interviewing now and intend to move quickly with qualified applicants.

What you will do

• Plan and prioritize daily production from approved file intake through completed, installation‑ready products.
• Review and prepare production files in Adobe Illustrator, including scaling, bleeds, cut paths, paneling, nesting, and print templates.
• Operate wide‑format latex printers and RIP software; manage queues, media, profiles, nesting, and output settings for reliable color and print quality.
• Complete vinyl and graphic finishing, including weeding, masking, lamination, mounting, trimming, and preparation of vehicle‑wrap panels and other complex graphics.
• Operate plotters, laminators, rollover/application tables, and related sign‑production equipment safely and accurately.
• Perform final quality checks for color, dimensions, alignment, cut accuracy, finish quality, and job completeness before release.
• Coordinate with sales, design, and installation to resolve questions before production and prevent rework.
• Keep the production area clean, organized, and safe; perform routine equipment care and troubleshoot common production issues.

Required qualifications

• At least 2 years of recent, hands‑on experience in sign production, wide‑format graphics, or a comparable commercial print environment.
• Ability to operate a wide‑format printer and RIP workflow independently.
• Working proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for production file preparation, not only graphic design.
• Hands‑on experience with vinyl finishing, including weeding, masking, laminating, mounting, and trimming.
• Strong understanding of color consistency, measurements, production tolerances, and quality control.
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to identify and troubleshoot routine equipment or workflow problems.
• Dependable, organized, detail‑focused, and able to adjust priorities while completing work on time.

Preferred experience

• HP Latex printers and Onyx RIP software.
• Plotters, laminators, and rollover/application tables.
• Vehicle‑wrap production and panel preparation.
• Spot‑color and brand‑critical color matching.
• CoreBridge or similar sign‑shop workflow software.
• Avery Dennison or comparable vinyl, wrap, or materials certification.
• Experience guiding workflow or training teammates.

What success looks like

• Jobs move through production predictably and are completed on time.
• Finished work is accurate, clean, color‑consistent, and ready to install the first time.
• Production questions are raised early, before they become reprints or installation problems.
• The shop and equipment remain organized, safe, and ready for the next job.

Why this role is worth considering

• Meaningful ownership of the production process and visible impact on finished work.
• A variety of commercial signs, vinyl graphics, and wrap‑related projects.
• Direct collaboration with sales, design, and installation teammates.
• Opportunity to improve processes, solve production challenges, and help strengthen the team.
• Dental and vision benefits, two weeks Paid Time Off and 9 paid holidays/year, plus career growth opportunities since we are young company.

Physical and work requirements

This is an in‑person production‑floor role that involves standing, bending, reaching, and handling sign materials and roll media. The position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.