Prelim/Prepress Operator 3

RR Donnelley•Aurora, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

RRD is a leading global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions. This role involves reviewing electronic files from clients for completeness before plate making, manipulating print job formats using desktop publishing software, determining page layouts, and identifying/communicating missing or problematic components. The operator will work with Customer Service, customers, and production personnel to resolve job issues, prepare color proofs, impose images, operate CTP plate making equipment, and perform quality checks on finished plates. This position may also involve special projects, cross-training, and acting as a department lead. As a lead, this role requires assisting in special circumstances, answering employee questions, and participating in conference calls with internal and external parties, including customers, to clarify art submission methods and variable file programming. Customer-facing interactions will require answering questions and educating customers on project requirements.

Requirements

Ability to work with various graphic design and layout software applications commonly used on Macs and PCs.
Thorough understanding of digital file formats (pdf, tiff, eps) from different operating systems (Mac and PC).
Advanced color management skills.
Ability to work with different digital file formats.
Ability to output digital files to various output devices.
Ability to continue to learn and use new graphics software on an ongoing basis.
Understanding of the offset printing process and how one color affects another.
Mechanical skills using small hand tools for minor repairs and maintenance on a flatbed scanner, image setter, and automated film processing equipment.
Leadership skills.
Ability to answer questions or take action to find answers related to pre-press operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with imposition software (Mac).
Experience with Adobe Creative Suite software (PC).

Responsibilities

Review electronic files received from clients for thoroughness and completeness before the plate making process.
Use electronic page layout software (desktop publishing software) to manipulate the format of the print job to the dimensions of the paper.
Determine page layout, accounting for folds, trims, bleeds, and gripper, and add crop marks and color bars.
Identify missing or problematic components and communicate them to the Customer Service Representative, customer, and production personnel.
Work directly with Customer Service, customers, and production personnel to resolve any job-related problems.
Load customer-supplied electronic files for output during the manufacturing process.
Prepare color proofs for customer review.
Impose images and operate CTP plate making equipment and bending/tabbing equipment to prepare plates for press.
Perform quality checks on finished plates before releasing them to manufacturing.
Work on special projects from Management and interact with cross-training in other areas.
Act as the department lead, assisting in special circumstances and answering questions for other employees.
Join conference calls to clarify proper methods of submitting art and variable files for programming.
Interact with customers on calls to answer questions and edify them regarding project requirements.