Position Title: Contract Prepress Operator
Department: Production / Prepress
Reports To: Office Manager
Employment Type: Independent Contractor (Contract Basis)
Location: Allegra Marketing Print Mail, Unit# 9, 1177 Franklin Blvd., Cambridge, Ontario N1R 7W4
Contract Term: 12months, renewable
Hours: Part-time/Full-time
Position Summary
We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Contract Prepress Operator to support our print production team. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing customer artwork and digital files for print production, ensuring all files meet quality standards and production specifications. This role requires strong technical knowledge of prepress workflows, file preparation, color management, and printing processes.
Key Responsibilities
File Preparation & Preflight
- Review customer-supplied artwork and production files for print readiness.
- Perform preflight checks to identify and correct issues related to fonts, image resolution, color spaces, bleeds, trim marks, and file integrity.
- Prepare files for offset, digital, large-format, and specialty printing applications as required.
- Create and modify print-ready PDFs according to production specifications.
Color Management
- Ensure accurate color reproduction through proper color profiling and file setup.
- Convert files between RGB, CMYK, spot colors, and other required color spaces.
- Verify color separations and output settings.
Production Support
- Generate proofs for customer approval and internal quality control.
- Create impositions and layouts for efficient press operation.
- Coordinate with press operators and production staff to resolve technical issues.
- Maintain consistency with customer branding and design standards.
Quality Assurance
- Verify final files before production release.
- Maintain high standards of print quality and accuracy.
- Troubleshoot prepress-related issues and recommend corrective actions.
Workflow Management
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting production deadlines.
- Maintain organized file structures and archive completed jobs.
- Follow established standard operating procedures and workflow processes.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
- May be required to 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, and the ability to adjust focus. Some independent travel may be required.
· While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to fumes, toxic chemicals, and printing equipment with moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is generally quiet to moderate.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 1–2 years of experience in a prepress, print production, or graphic arts environment.
- Strong knowledge of commercial printing processes.
- Proficiency with:
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Experience creating and editing print-ready PDF files.
- Knowledge of imposition software and workflows.
- Understanding of:
- CMYK and spot-color printing
- Color management systems
- Bleed, trim, and safety requirements
- Variable data printing (preferred)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with digital, offset, wide-format, and specialty print production.
- Familiarity with RIP software and workflow automation systems.
- Knowledge of PDF/X standards.
- Experience with web-to-print workflows.
- Graphic design experience is an asset.
- Ability to effectively, professionally, communicate well with customers, management, and coworkers, proficiency using the English language verbally, in person, and on the phone, and in written form.
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Effective communication skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
Deliverables / Performance Expectations
The contractor will be expected to:
- Process and prepare production files accurately and on schedule.
- Maintain a file error rate below established quality thresholds.
- Meet agreed turnaround times for proofing and file preparation.
- Support smooth workflow between sales, design, and production departments.
- Ensure customer files consistently meet print production standards.
Contract Terms
- Compensation: Hourly Rate negotiable
- Contractor is responsible for applicable taxes, insurance, and statutory obligations as required by law.
- Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement required.
· Ownership of all work product and production files remains with the print shop.
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Success Profile
The ideal contractor is a technically skilled prepress professional who can quickly identify file issues, maintain exceptional quality standards, and help ensure efficient print production with minimal rework and downtime.
Pay: $18.00-$22.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
