Prepress/Digital Front End Specialist

OG•Neenah, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Prepress / Digital Front End (DFE) Specialist is responsible for preparing, optimizing, and managing customer artwork for production across digital flexible packaging and label platforms. The primary focus will be supporting the HP Indigo 200K, with additional support for Domino N Series digital presses. This role does not operate press equipment. The position ensures all incoming files are compliant with press specifications, color-managed accurately, properly constructed for flexible packaging and label applications, and fully optimized for digital production workflows. This position serves as the technical bridge between customer artwork, prepress standards, and manufacturing output. This position will be located onsite at our facility in Neenah, WI.

Requirements

3–5+ years of commercial prepress experience in a label or flexible packaging environment
Experience preparing files for digital press production
Advanced proficiency in: Adobe Illustrator (critical for packaging and labels), Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat Pro (including advanced preflight tools)
Advanced trapping software (Esko, Hybrid)
Strong working knowledge of: PDF/X standards, Dieline construction and management, Technical layers and spot color plates, Overprint, knockout, and transparency behavior, Image resolution standards for digital packaging, Font management and packaging compliance requirements, Step-and-repeat principles for label production
Digital Front End (DFE) Knowledge
Experience with HP SmartStream Production Pro preferred
Familiarity with HP PrintOS
Understanding of Domino DFE environments or similar inkjet workflow systems
Knowledge of RIP processing, queue management, and job parameter configuration
Ability to troubleshoot file-processing and RIP errors
Experience in Esko Automation Engine or similar structured workflows is transferable.
Color Management Requirements
Strong understanding of ICC profile management for digital presses
Experience managing CMYK, RGB, and spot color conversion strategies
Familiarity with Pantone simulation in digital flexible packaging
Understanding of total area coverage (TAC) and ink limitations
Awareness of substrate impact on color reproduction
Familiarity with G7, GRACoL, and digital press calibration practices preferred
Variable Data & Compliance
Experience preparing serialized labels and packaging
Familiarity with CSV/XML data merging
Ability to generate and validate barcodes and QR codes
High school diploma or equivalent required

Nice To Haves

Direct experience supporting HP Indigo workflows strongly preferred
Experience with Domino digital inkjet platforms considered an asset
Understanding of regulatory labeling requirements (food, pharma, consumer goods) considered a plus
Formal training in graphic arts, printing technology, or packaging production preferred
HP Indigo workflow training considered a strong advantage

Responsibilities

Preflight and evaluate customer-supplied artwork for flexible packaging and label production
Ensure correct setup of dielines, step-and-repeat layouts, bleeds, safety margins, and technical layers
Prepare press-ready PDFs according to HP Indigo and Domino specifications
Apply appropriate color management and spot color handling for digital output
Manage imposition and layout within DFE workflow systems
Submit, monitor, and troubleshoot jobs within HP and Domino front-end environments
Identify and correct file issues prior to production release
Support variable data printing (VDP), serialization, and barcode workflows where required
Maintain documentation standards, file naming conventions, and version control
Collaborate with production, quality, and customer service teams to resolve technical artwork issues
Assist in workflow standardization as HP becomes the primary digital packaging platform