Pre-Press Assistant

Job Title:

Pre-Press Assistant

The Pre-Press Assistant plays a key role in supporting printing operations by managing inks, plates, dies, and related materials to ensure smooth and efficient production runs. This position focuses on staging and preparing printing components, maintaining accurate inventory, and upholding quality standards in a highly automated environment.

• Oversee ordering of all inks, bases, and additives to ensure adequate supply for production runs.
• Order and maintain die mounting parts and related components needed for pre-press operations.
• Clean and prepare dies, plates, and parts so they are ready for use in production.
• Mount and repair printing plates to maintain the production schedule and minimize downtime.
• Stage printing plates and samples and deliver them for scheduled production runs.
• Change, stage, and prepare printing plates for machinery, including incoming print plates (new and transferred), by staging and entering them into the system.
• Operate a forklift to retrieve materials from inventory safely and efficiently.
• Pick items from inventory and prepare materials required for upcoming jobs.
• Prepare FO jackets with load tags, print cards, and FO documentation to support accurate production tracking.
• Conduct ink inventories and prepare ink orders for upcoming runs based on production needs.
• Maintain color standards and assist with the color matching process to support quality requirements.
• Maintain control over all systems, procedures, and handling of internal print plates, cutting dies, and inks.
• Oversee all activities related to inventory and maintenance of the prepress area, ensuring it remains organized and operational.
• Work independently, stay productive throughout the shift, and follow established procedures and processes.

• Experience operating machines in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on inventory experience, including tracking, staging, and picking materials.
• Computer experience, including using systems to enter, track, and manage pre‑press materials.
• Ink, printing, and laser imaging experience in a production or pre‑press setting.
• Ability to operate a forklift to retrieve and move materials from inventory.
• Ability to work independently and remain productive without constant supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality in all pre‑press tasks.

• Comfort working in a highly automated environment with established procedures.
• Ability to learn and follow systems and processes for handling print plates, cutting dies, and inks.
• Willingness to train on first shift before moving to second shift.
• Reliability in following schedules and supporting production timelines.
• Strong organizational skills for staging materials and maintaining a well‑managed prepress area.

You will join a laid‑back, quality‑focused culture that values precision and consistency over speed, giving you the space to do your best work. The environment is highly automated, providing modern tools and systems to support your success. You will have the opportunity to work independently, take ownership of your area, and contribute directly to the reliability and quality of the final product.

This role is based in an extremely automated production facility with a relaxed, quality‑driven culture. The position is on second shift (2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.), with required training on first shift before moving to the regular schedule. Work attire consists of jeans or work pants and a shirt, with steel‑toe boots required for safety. Safety glasses are provided. The prepress area involves regular interaction with machinery, inks, plates, dies, and inventory systems, and the role requires comfort working around automated equipment while adhering to safety and operational procedures.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $15.00 - $15.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject…