Print Production Specialist

Freelance Print Production Specialist
- Press Pass

Project: 2026 Gift Guide
- Major UK Retailer

Contract: Freelance / Short-Term Assignment

Location: On-site at print production facilities in Roche, York and Leicester

Dates: September 2026 - selected press dates only; attendance requirements to be confirmed

A major UK retailer is looking for an experienced Freelance Print Production Specialist / Press Pass Representative to oversee print quality during production of its 2026 Gift Guide.

You'll act as the retailer's representative on-site at the printer, reviewing live print output, identifying quality issues and providing final approval before production runs proceed.

This is a specialist freelance assignment suited to someone with significant experience in commercial print production, press passing, colour management and high-volume catalogues or publications
.

• Attend required press passes at print production facilities.
• Review live printed sheets against approved proofs and specifications.
• Assess colour accuracy, image reproduction, registration and consistency.
• Approve or reject print output before full production runs.
• Identify quality issues and work directly with press operators to resolve them.
• Monitor print consistency throughout production.
• Review finishing including folding, trimming, binding, varnishes, foiling and other premium finishes.
• Ensure the finished publication meets premium retail quality standards.
• Provide clear feedback and brief post-production reports where required.

• 5-10+ years' experience in commercial print production.
• Significant experience attending or leading press passes
  .
• Strong background in catalogues, magazines, brochures or retail publications
  .
• Experience with high-volume commercial print runs.
• Confident making final quality and sign-off decisions on press.
• Excellent understanding of colour management, CMYK reproduction, proofing and print tolerances.
• Strong knowledge of lithographic and digital print processes. /li>
• Experience assessing finishing and binding quality.
• Comfortable working directly with printers and production teams in a pressroom environment.

Experience producing retail catalogues, seasonal gift guides or other premium publications for major brands or retailers would be particularly valuable. Previous experience working with large-scale commercial print suppliers is also desirable.

You will not be required for every date
. Exact attendance will be confirmed as soon as possible.

• 9 September - Cover printing, Roche
• 13 September - Insert printing, Roche
• 16 September - 64pp text, York
• 21 September - 24pp text, York
• 21-22 September - 48pp text, York
• From 29 September - Binding, Leicester

You'll be highly experienced in a pressroom environment, with an exceptional eye for colour, detail and print quality
. You'll be calm and decisive under pressure, technically credible with print teams, and comfortable acting as the client's final quality representative during production.