PrepressDigital Front End Specialist

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**

Key Responsibilities & Success Metrics

• 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

Ideal Background & Experience

Experience

• 35 years of commercial prepress experience in a label or flexible packaging environment
• Experience preparing files for digital press production
• Direct experience supporting HP Indigo workflows strongly preferred
• Experience with Domino digital inkjet platforms considered an asset

Technical Expertise

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
• Understanding of regulatory labeling requirements (food pharma consumer goods) considered a plus

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Formal training in graphic arts printing technology or packaging production preferred
• HP Indigo workflow training considered a strong advantage

If this sounds like the opportunity youve been looking for apply today!

Required Experience:

IC