Pre-press Associate - Support II

Overview:

At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges.

Being part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organizations, their employees, and those they serve.

You’ll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward-thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about—locally and globally.

Come make an impact every day at Zebra.

What We're Looking For:

The Pre-Press Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the correct preparation, review, and optimization of digital graphics files, as well as managing and monitoring the physical tooling (printing cylinders, printing plates, anilox rollers) and inks required for the flexographic printing process. The primary goal is to guarantee that the digital design translates with absolute fidelity and color consistency onto the production press, minimizing downtime, setup times, and material waste.

Experience on pre-press, tools (print cylinder, print plates, anilox), inks, color matching. Flexographics process.

• Digital Workflow & File Optimization: Review, adapt, and approve technical graphic files for the flexo printing process (addressing dot gain compensation, trapping, distortion factors, bleeds, etc.).
• Tooling Management:Specify, verify, and monitor the condition of printing cylinders (register adjustments and repeat lengths).Coordinate and validate the manufacturing, mounting, and storage of photopolymer printing plates (clichés/grabados).Select and manage the inventory of anilox rollers (BCM, line screen/LPI) based on the project's ink coverage, resolution, and substrate requirements.
• Inks & Color Matching:Perform and validate color matching tests according to industry standards (Pantone, spectrophotometry).Formulate, adjust, and approve ink recipes (water-based, solvent-based, or UV inks) to guarantee color consistency throughout the production run.
• Pressroom Technical Support: Work closely with press operators to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during press setup (e.g., color matching, register issues, or poor ink transfer).
• Quality Control: Ensure all prepress tooling meets exact quality and physical specifications before being released to production, helping maximize overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Candidate Profile (Requirements)

• Education: Technical degree or Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Process/Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field in Graphic Arts.
• Experience: 3 to 5+ years of proven experience in pre-press operations within the packaging, self-adhesive labels, or converting industry, specifically utilizing flexographic processes.
• Essential Technical Skills:Deep understanding of the flexography process (narrow web, wide web, or corrugated).Advanced proficiency in pre-press software and workflows (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, ESKO, ArtPro, or PackEdge).Practical, hands-on experience managing and specifying printing plates, printing cylinders, and anilox rollers.Solid knowledge of color theory, colorimetry (using spectrophotometers), and ink color matching.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional attention to detail, ability to work under tight production deadlines, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach to technical troubleshooting.

Core Responsibilities

• Digital Workflow: Optimize graphics files for flexo (trapping, dot gain, distortion).
• Tooling Management: Select, verify, and manage printing cylinders, plates, and anilox rollers.
• Color & Inks: Manage ink formulation and color matching using spectrophotometers and Pantone standards.
• Press Support: Partner with press operators to troubleshoot color and register issues during setup.

Requirements

• Degree in Graphic Arts, Industrial Design, Engineering, or related technical field.
• Deep knowledge of the Flexographic process and prepress software (Adobe Suite, ESKO / ArtPro).
• Strong expertise in color theory, ink matching, and tooling specs (anilox LPI/BCM, photopolymers).

Benefits:

We understand the importance of work-life balance and wellbeing, which is why we offer flexibility for our teams including: hybrid work, adaptable hours, Summer Flex Fridays, Focus Fridays, and an annual companywide well-being day to promote revitalization and success.

Job Posting Statement:

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AI Technology Statement:

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