Print Production & Quality Assurance Prepress Specialist - Ravensburger North America : Job Details

Summary Description: Are you skilled in prepress and print production processes, meticulous with file management, and have a keen eye for detail and color? We are seeking a dedicated Print Production & Quality Assurance Prepress Specialist to create and finalize files, ensuring all elements are completed accurately and beautifully. You will be part of the internal proofing process to ensure file accuracy and work closely with suppliers and the Technical Product Development team to develop products that exceed our vision and business needs.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• Create print production-ready files for cards, packaging, and other assets based on files developed by the Senior Graphic Designer and supply them to vendors.
• Review and approve proofs and materials from suppliers to verify content, placement, and color meet quality expectations, either via web portal or physical proof/prototype.
• Perform thorough quality control checks on digital files, including verifying file integrity, color accuracy, and image resolution, to ensure optimal output and printability.
• Conduct color manipulations, art/text adjustments, and printer-specific color corrections as needed.
• Actively participate in product development meetings to determine the best ways to build or test new components, solve development challenges, and improve the product.
• Check print-ready files for Disney Lorcana cards and packaging for any print production or content deviations from expectations.
• Collaborate with product development teams and graphic designers to resolve issues identified during the quality control process.
• Proof both English and localized files (only English proficiency required).
• Create detailed product specifications to ensure clarity for partners.
• Monitor and track print production workflow to ensure deadlines are met and production processes run smoothly.
• Continually help the team build, test, and improve workflow and color management procedures, and review/approval process procedures.
• Track and archive final native files.
• Attend local and out-of-state press checks.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assist with production of file setups for CMYK printing for offset, flexo, and other print mediums.
• Create and assign project updates, including briefs, proof schedules, and reference material specs for production runs to maintain specific registration and color densities.
• Implement performance, quality, and efficiency measures to achieve aggressive production goals.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge about technology and pre-press management best practices.
• Respond to customer inquiries professionally regarding product availability and shipment times.
• Use expertise to adjust creative files for accurate color print reproduction from proof to press.
• Coordinate shipping and delivery between company factories with tight deadlines.
• Attend multiple press checks to ensure accuracy and color match of product with review press sheets for overall color and accuracy.
• Knowledge of the following areas is a must for this position. Color management, including RGB to CMYK matching color standards, ICC profile assignments, Photoshop color adjustments/ink density coverage, spot colors and varnish embellishments, dot gain/moire and other print issues, trapping and copy review, and brand color compliance.
• Build color managed workflows to improve color accuracy, quality, and image control.
• Knowledge of G7+ with certification a plus.
• Understanding of Color Theory and Analysis.
• EPSON Print Management.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Highly proficient in InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Photoshop.
• Thorough knowledge of graphic design, packaging, and page layout.
• Experience working in print, with dielines, packaging build files, overprinting, and setting up press-ready PDFs.
• Experience with complex printing techniques such as white underprints, spot foils, etc.
• Exceptional eye for detail and color perception.
• Color Management and Press check experience.
• Expert in print production standards.
• Passionate problem-solver dedicated to bringing amazing products to life through creative solutions.
• Detail-oriented and can self-manage the moving parts of an evolving creative pipeline.
• Effective at multitasking, meeting tight deadlines, and strong organizational skills.
• Independent, efficient, and proactive with strong follow-through.
• Strong collaborator who actively shares knowledge and communicates effectively at all levels, both internally and externally.
• 2+ years of prepress, print design, or print-production experience.
• 2+ years working on trading cards or collectible cards.
• Knowledge and love of Disney.

BONUS Capabilities:

• Ability to code in an AppleScript and/or JavaScript environment is a bonus.
• Familiar and comfortable using Excel-type formulas to manipulate text, including concatenation and nested IF/THEN statements.
• Knowledge of card automation, such as data merging or EasyCatalog.
• Localization typesetting.

Education and Experience Requirements (Minimum):

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Project Management, Engineering/Manufacturing, or related field or equivalent of 5 years of Print manufacturing in TCGs.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience working in a consumer product production environment with overseas manufacturing capabilities, with strong knowledge of print processing.
• Experience within the TCG/or game industry preferred.
• Proven track record of managing production schedules to meet on-time delivery goals.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. Must have the ability to sit for long periods of time.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Travel Requirements:

• On-site quality assessment of production will require travel. The employee must be able to travel domestically and internationally via airplane and be comfortable renting and driving a car.