Prepress Operator

Job Description

Hoffmaster, 625 Greg Street, Sparks, Nevada, United States of America

Posted Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Hoffmaster Group Inc is an industry leader producing the most complete line of specialty disposable tabletop products for over 70 years. Hoffmaster competes in three distinct business segments – Food service, Consumer, and E-Commerce. Our products can be found in thousands of retailers, restaurants, hotels, and more. As a customer centric company, we strive to deliver innovative solutions to both our customers and the ultimate end users of our products.

This Innovation is a key part of what we do here at Hoffmaster, and we continue to drive the industry forward by investing in our employees and state-of-the-art technology.

The Pre-Press Operator / Plate Maker is responsible for preparing, processing, and producing printing plates and press-ready files that meet all quality, technical, and production requirements. This role serves as a critical link between artwork, pre-press preparation, and press operations, ensuring accurate plate output, minimal press downtime, and consistent print quality in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Review job tickets, artwork files, and specifications to determine plate and press requirements.
• Perform preflight checks on digital files to ensure accuracy of layout, color mode, resolution, fonts, trapping, and bleeds.
• Prepare and modify files for plate output, including imposition, screening, and color separations.
• Ensure all files meet internal quality standards and press specifications prior to plate production.
• Maintain proper file naming, version control, and documentation.
• Operate computer-to-plate (CTP) or plate-making equipment to produce printing plates in accordance with job specifications.
• Set up, expose, develop, and finish plates for printing process.
• Verify plate accuracy including registration, dot structure, image clarity, and plate integrity.
• Label, stage, and deliver completed plates to press operations in accordance with production schedules.
• Inspect plates and proofs to identify defects or inconsistencies prior to press release.
• Troubleshoot pre-press and plate-making issues, including file errors, plate defects, or output inconsistencies.
• Communicate proactively with designers, press operators, supervisors, and quality teams to resolve issues quickly.
• Support continuous improvement efforts to reduce plate waste, rework, and press downtime.
• Support press operators during press make-ready by providing technical guidance related to plates and files.
• Assist with press trials, new material qualifications, and process improvements as needed.
• Maintain accurate production records, logs, and quality documentation.
• Follow all safety, food safety, GMP, and quality system requirements.
• Maintain clean and organized pre-press and plate-making areas.
• Perform routine maintenance, cleaning, and calibration of plate-making equipment.
• Comply with all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Experience in a printing or converting manufacturing environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of pre-press workflows and plate-making processes.
• Proficiency with pre-press software and systems (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, RIP software).
• Understanding of color theory, screening, trapping, and file preparation for print.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify and correct errors before production.
• Ability to read and interpret job tickets, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work cross-functional with production and quality teams.

Min/Preferred

Description

Preferred

High School or GED

Other

Technical Training in printing, graphic arts or pre-pres

Minimum Years of Experience

Comments

1

Ability to Lift/Push/Pull

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Other Physical Requirements

Up to 50 lbs.

PPE is required, which includes safety shoes, eye protection and hearing protection

Significant walking and standing;
Incidental…