Prepress Proofer & Quality Control Engineer

Salary: $28-$35/hr

Prepress Proofer & Quality Control Engineer

Visions, Inc. provides marketing, printing, and creative solutions for customers ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies. If you are looking for a great opportunity for professional and personal growth, come add your talents to our innovative group of creative thinkers who are developing their careers within a diverse, inclusive, and empowering environment.

At Visions, we have evolved at the forefront of the communications industry blending creativity, craftsmanship, and technology into a powerful menu of marketing services. Our unique offering integrates a highly creative direct marketing group with dynamic digital media services - all supported by a complete print, mail, and fulfillment center featuring digital, offset, and enhanced printing technologies. We are expanding the value chain by delivering superior results and an improved customer experience.

Department: Prepress & Digital File Preparation
Reports To: Prepress Manager
Location: On-site / In-Person (no remote option)
Schedule: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Compensation: $28.00 - $35.00 per hour (commensurate with experience)

Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/401(k) plans
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• HSA contributions
• 8 paid holidays
• 80 hours PTO
• 2 Sick Days
• A culture that supports work-life balance
• Fun, casual work environment

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly detail-oriented, quality-driven Prepress Proofer & Quality Control Engineer to join our on-site Prepress team. This role is critical to ensuring that all digital files received from clientsincluding variable data and complex, multi-format filesare fully proofed, technically accurate, and print-ready before entering production.

The ideal candidate has a sharp eye for detail, a strong technical understanding of prepress workflows, and the confidence to review and validate the work of others. This role plays a vital part in safeguarding quality across digital print, lithographic print, and variable data printing (VDP) while collaborating closely with production, design, and client-facing teams to engineer reliable, high-quality print solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

File Proofing & Quality Control

• Conduct detailed preflight reviews of incoming client files to verify completeness, formats, fonts, color profiles, bleed, trim, resolution, and layout against job specifications.
• Proofread all copy and content for spelling, grammar, consistency, branding, and formatting accuracy prior to production.
• Generate and review both soft (digital) and hard (printed) proofs that accurately simulate final production output.
• Review and audit prepress work completed by team members as part of an internal quality assurance process.

Technical Review & Problem Resolution

• Identify technical issues such as missing images, raster/vector inconsistencies, font errors, bleed/trim issues, resolution problems, or VDP data/link errors.
• Communicate required corrections clearly to designers, account managers, production staff, or clients.
• Interpret job specifications and collaborate cross-functionally to resolve issues efficiently and accurately.

Proof Documentation & Client Approvals

• Prepare and manage client approval proofs and revision cycles.
• Track approvals and ensure proper sign-off before production begins.
• Document proofing notes, exceptions, and special requirements and communicate them across teams.

Workflow & Process Improvement

• Contribute to continuous improvement of prepress workflows, quality standards, and standard operating procedures.
• Recommend and adopt new proofing tools, technologies, or best practices that enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Team Collaboration & Mentorship

• Work collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.
• Support press, finishing, and customer service teams with clear communication and quality validation.
• Provide guidance and informal mentoring to junior team members on proofing standards and quality expectations.

Essential Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree or certificate in Graphic Communications, Print Technology, Digital Media, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 3+ years of professional experience in prepress proofing, quality control, or a similar print production role.
• Experience in commercial print and/or variable data printing environments strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong working knowledge of prepress workflows and print-readiness validation.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat Pro).
• Experience with RIP software, imposition tools, and proofing systems.
• Solid understanding of color management, print specifications (bleed/trim/safe areas), resolution standards, and file formats (PDF/X, TIFF, EPS).
• Familiarity with variable data printing workflows is a strong plus.
• Ability to operate digital proofing devices and interpret soft and hard proofs.

Quality & Communication

• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to detect errors others may overlook.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
• Customer-focused mindset with a collaborative, team-oriented approach.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• This is an on-site, in-person position based in a production facility.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent use of a computer, mouse, keyboard, and proofing equipment.
• Ability to visually inspect printed materials for extended periods, including color accuracy and fine detail.
• Ability to work in a production environment with moderate noise levels and time-sensitive deadlines.

Why This Role Matters:

In our fast-paced print production environment, quality proofing protects our customers, our reputation, and our bottom line. This role is essential to preventing costly errors, reprints, and delaysensuring every job moves smoothly from client file to final delivery. If you take pride in precision, problem-solving, and delivering exceptional print quality, this role offers meaningful impact and long-term growth.

Culture:

We are committed to making a difference. We challenge ourselves every day, take pride in what we do, and treat our customers and each other with kindness, compassion, and respect.

Embrace Change

Stay Positive

Be Clear and Responsive

Work Together

Pursue Excellence

Visions, Inc. is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Please visit our website atwww.visionsfirst.com.