Wide Prepress Specialist

SAS Graphic Supply; Springfield (NJ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

SAS Graphic Supply is seeking a senior Graphic Prepress Specialist to prepare, verify, and optimize artwork for wide-format printing, vehicle graphics, signage, and textiles. You will ensure accuracy across multiple substrates and printing platforms, serving as a technical resource for sales, design, and production teams.

The role emphasizes advanced preflight, file optimization, and color management to deliver high-quality output and efficient production workflows.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in prepress, digital printing, or wide-format graphics.
• Proficiency in Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, and color management.
• Experience preparing files for contour cutting and digital finishing systems.

Responsibilities

• Review artwork for print readiness and compliance with production standards.
• Prepare production-ready files for wide-format printing on various substrates.
• Create and troubleshoot proofs, layouts, and contour-cut files.
• Maintain color consistency across multiple print technologies.
• Troubleshoot file issues and production bottlenecks; mentor junior staff.

Skills

5+ years experience

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Color management

Prepress workflows

Education

Associate degree in Graphic Arts or related field

Tools

ONYX RIP

EFI Fiery

Wasatch

Job description

The Graphic Prepress Specialist is a senior-level production graphics professional responsible for preparing, verifying, and optimizing customer artwork and production files for wide-format digital printing, vehicle graphics, signage, displays, dye sublimation textiles, and commercial print applications. This position serves as a technical resource for sales, customer service, designers, and production personnel to ensure accurate, efficient, and high-quality output across multiple printing platforms and substrates.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review customer artwork and specifications for print readiness and compliance with company production standards.
• Prepare production-ready files for printing on:
• Adhesive vinyl
• Vehicle wrap materials
• Banners
• Window films
• Paper-based products
• Polyester and dye sublimation fabrics
• Rigid display materials
• Create, modify, and troubleshoot artwork using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Acrobat.
• Perform advanced preflight inspections including:
• Bleed and trim setup
• Font management
• Transparency and overprint checks
• File optimization
• Generate accurate proofs, mockups, and production layouts for customer approval.
• Prepare contour-cut files for digital finishing equipment and plotters.
• Manage color consistency across multiple print technologies and substrates.
• Create layouts and production files for:
• Fleet and vehicle graphics
• Wall murals
• Trade show displays
• Architectural graphics
• Textile graphics and soft signage
• Operate and maintain RIP workflows including nesting, tiling, paneling, scaling, and color profiling.
• Troubleshoot file issues, RIP errors, print quality concerns, and production bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with production staff to ensure jobs are manufactured according to customer specifications.
• Verify production tickets, material specifications, finishing requirements, and installation instructions.
• Provide technical support and mentorship to junior prepress personnel.
• Assist in developing and improving workflow automation and production efficiencies.
• Maintain digital archive systems and job documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in Graphic Arts, Graphic Communications, Design, Printing Technology, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in prepress, digital printing, sign production, or wide-format graphics.
• Advanced proficiency in:
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Thorough understanding of:
• CMYK, RGB, and Pantone color systems
• ICC profiling and color management
• Variable scaling and large-format production requirements
• Print resolution standards for multiple viewing distances
• Experience preparing files for contour cutting and digital finishing systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with RIP software including:
• ONYX
• EFI Fiery
• Wasatch
• Experience supporting:
• HP Latex printers
• UV printers
• Dye sublimation printers
• Knowledge of:
• Vehicle wrap production
• Soft signage and textile graphics
• Large-format finishing equipment
• Installation requirements and production tolerances
• Understanding of color calibration tools and spectrophotometers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert attention to detail and quality control.
• Strong understanding of wide-format production workflows.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and customer service abilities.
• Ability to prioritize work and consistently meet production deadlines.
• Leadership skills with the ability to mentor team members and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to accurately distinguish colors.
• Prolonged computer use.
• Occasional lifting of media rolls and production materials up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work in an office and production environment.

Typical Position Level

This position functions as a senior prepress expert and is expected to independently manage complex customer projects, support production troubleshooting, and provide technical leadership within the graphics and print production department.