Production Designer

• Mar 2022 - Present

Prepress Specialist and Graphic Artist

• Aug 2019 - Jun 2022

• Responsible in modifying, updating, and creating various forms, ads, logos, and other graphic contents to print as custom unit sets forms, continuous forms, cut sheet forms, check and security documents. • Create digital and printing proof for customer approval, printing samples, and digital output. • Layout artwork to multiple imposition templates with Kodak Preps for CTP making. • Make different types of plates using CTP multi-cassette Kodak Achieve and Magnus platesetters. • Provide monthly maintenance to Kodak Plate Processor. • Maintain weekly inventory of plates, chemicals and CTP supplies. Show less

Graphic Artist

• Oct 2017 - Nov 2018

Prepared incoming artwork for customer approval including altering artwork, text editing, color correction, and die-lines creation following customer specifications while maintaining the integrity of the schedule. Determined prepress requirements by reviewing job tickets; studying layout, content, and specifications. Generated, step and output print-ready digital files for HP Indigo, Flexo and ABG Presses, including hot-stamps, embossing and varnish plates. Responsible for consistency in file setup, color, workflow, and quality. Worked closely with the CSR, designers, customers, and press operators to resolved issues to assured accuracy, quality, and workflow efficiency to expedite job completion. Maintained electronic files and archiving of all artwork and monitored equipment to ensure both accuracy and integrity are met to productivity standards for all jobs. Contributed to process improvement, by always looking for ways to deliver higher quality print jobs within quickest possible turnaround times. Show less

Prepress Specialist

• Sep 2015 - Oct 2017

• Responsible for all graphic work through prepress department including pre-flighting and prepping existing files, and also designing artwork and ensuring they all meet required specifications, through pre-press means of formatting, trapping, imposition, applying press compensation curves, color separations, min dots, minimum press specs, spelling, document size, etc. • Responsible in developing artwork and making corrections to customer supplied art using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Quark, setting type, simplifying vector art, color separation of line art elements, simplifying color pallets, adding all marks and tag lines, adding all printers’ marks, and checking the customer’s supplied artwork. • Responsible creating, and manipulating a step-&-repeat reverse & surface printing, along with general requirements associated with Gravure, Flexo and Digital printing. • Work with ESKO and HP SmartStream software platforms to prepare files for final output and proofing for HP Indigo Digital Press. • Assist to problem solving, analyzing potential solutions and using good sound judgment to make decision in anticipating needs on behalf of the customer not to only serve the customer but increase volume and profitability. • Responsible for technical trouble shooting concerning job production's issues. • Facilitate backups and archives of data. Show less

Production Designer

• Jan 2015 - Aug 2015

• Assisted in the design and layout of Community Newspapers and Magazines while following company's design guidelines. • Meet editorial deadlines for daily production, proofing and final output. • Prepared and saved editorial graphics, photos and text for upload to web, in time to meet the department's deadlines. • Created designs and concepts of ads for Anton’s newsprint and online edition based on layout principles and esthetic design concepts. • Modified, revised and edited ads developed in-house as required by clients. • Presented necessary ad proofs to sales team on time, ensuring that client has adequate time for review and approval. • Ensured that all advertisements and graphics are properly prepared for 4-color press output Maintain a professional appearance. • Organized, archived and retrieved all media for future reprints and accountability. Show less

Production Designer

• Nov 2012 - Dec 2014

• Generate multiple pages based on pre-defined folios and layout templates for Boston and New York City editions. • Edit and manipulate layout pages to match Metro specifications for Boston and New York City editions • Check, edit and alter creative advertising for specs, content, color separation, trapping, overprinting, etc., to match Metro’s printer guidelines for Boston and New York City editions, and advertising campaigns. • Collect, edit and alter creative advertising, Manifest, and advertising runsheets for Classifies pages for Boston, New York City and Philadelphia editions. • Built daily Classifies Pages for Boston, New York City and Philadelphia editions. • Create, Edit and Modify all stationary and business cards for Boston, New York City and Philadelphia offices. Show less

Production Artist

• Mar 2012 - Aug 2012

• Produced computer mechanicals based on the creative concept layout by maintaining the creative integrity of the original concept. • Reviewed prepress file specifications prior to producing files and maintaining consistent file preparation suitable for outputting by publications or vendors. • Created designs to coincide with marketing department’s needs. • Worked closely with various departments to ensure high quality color and print reproduction of all Box print materials. • Interpreted designers’ vision into print-ready deliverables, assisted graphic designers as needed with mockups, sampling, and file preparation. • Interacted with printers regarding prepping print-ready files maintaining color ICC standards (SWOP, GRACOL, FROGRA and SNAP Newsprint). Show less

Prepress Manager

• Apr 2011 - Dec 2011

• Worked on packaging concepts, signage, gang templates and production of in-house artwork such as CD’s/DVD’s digipacks, wallets, wraps, booklets, folders, inlays, envelopes and magazines. • Used existing corporate design to set up mechanicals for factory printing. • Developed innovative die-lines for new product development packaging needing costing. • Revised/tweaked packaging graphics as requested, and proofed all mechanicals for accuracy. • Tracked, archived and maintained digital and hard copy archive of all work. Show less

Prepress Manager

• Jun 2000 - Apr 2010

Responsible for solving file issues while dealing with real and perceived problems with color and print quality. All this accomplished while keeping the jobs on schedule. In addition, effectively interfaced with other departments, such as Design, Production, Press and Bindery. Responsible of digital stripping of complex imposition for commercial work. In addition with the operation, troubleshooting and evaluation of the performance of DTP hardware such as rips, plotters and proofers. Responsible in assisting DTP personnel with complex technical issues such as color builds; highlights and shadow settings in images; color separations, trapping and type composition. Responsible in establishing and maintaining procedures for equipment preventive maintenance, backup and archiving for both customer and corporate data. Responsible in monitoring consumption, cost and storage of consumables such as chemistry and plates to make sure adequate supplies are available for production needs. Show less

Pre-Media Specialist, Account Manager (Universal Music Latino)

• Feb 2008 - May 2008

Responsible for the supervision and preparation of all UML digital stripping, layouts and digital files for UML projects to meet UML and AGI printing standards. Responsible for the modification of special trapping and workflow to achieve AGI printing and UML designer’s specifications. Responsible for editing digitized data, such as artist's layout, color separations, text, page dimensions, and layout instructions in a variety of formats in a Mac and PC environment for DTP operation. Responsible in organizing, archiving and retrieving all media for future re-prints and accountability. Show less