Production Artist

Job Description:

The Production Artist is responsible for preparing a wide range of creative assets with a focus on CPG as well as supporting the order process with straightforward label creation. This position is heavy emphasis in Illustrator. The Production Artist will work with Sales, Customer Service, Regulatory, Production and the Creative Services Manager, to produce creative assets based on brand guidelines, while ensuring quality and consistency.

Required Skills:

• Checking the sizes, resolutions, and color modes of all graphics
• Recreating logos, working with templates, making file separations for silkscreen.
• Knowing the difference between an CMYK vs. RGB, spot color vs. process, vector vs. raster, and understanding of a bleed, a trim, and a live area
• Knowing how to create or work with a clipping path or a die cut
• Knowing when to convert type to outlines in Adobe Illustrator, converting InDesign files into Illustrator, cleaning up stray points and how to extract elements from a PDF file
• Understanding of kerning, tracking, and word spacing, identifying when ragged copy looks bad, and when excess hyphenation or bad spacing makes it look even worse
• Understanding of widows and orphans, hanging indents and columns, soft returns on every line in a layout vs. strategically using non-breaking spaces, and keeping page layout master pages pristine
• Comfortable working closely with external vendors as well as various internal departments
• Ability to switch tasks in order to complete multiple projects on quick timelines within a given day

Responsibilities:

• Develop final mechanical files from creative layouts for print and packaging production 
• Build Illustrator templates for label packaging and extending to existing brand packaging 
• Revise creative files accurately and efficiently throughout rounds of reviews and edits 
• Help manage and organize large amounts of files and directories 
• Effectively prepare files for print 
• Build Photoshop banners, upload PDFs, updating web site within Content Management System 
• Take photos and retouch images 
• Create catalog layout and magazine ads 
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. If the candidate does not meet the degree requirement a combination of relevant education and experience should total the equivalent of 5 years.
• 1+ year in a production artist or pre-press position/entry-level
• Willing to learn Windows environment 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel & Power Point 
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator/InDesign/Photoshop/Acrobat) with heavy emphasis in Illustrator. After Effects a plus 
• Knowledge of digital printing, including the preparation and management of files for production output. 
• Flexography or Silkscreen background a plus 
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to strict die lines, templates, and branding guidelines 
• Proofing and accuracy needed 
• Excellent Organizational with Project Management Skills. 
• The ability to communicate effectively and proactively 
• Ability to troubleshoot and find the information needed to get the job done 
• Ability to work in a fast paced, multi-tasking environment 
• Portfolio Required

Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Eye Insurance, Disability Insurance, PTO, 401k,