Plate Room / Prepress Tech

Plate Room/Prepress Tech

Pay: $23 - $25

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Plate Room / Prepress Technician supports the manufacturing process by accurately preparing production files, producing high-quality printing plates, maintaining prepress workflow accuracy, and helping ensure efficient production. This role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, effective troubleshooting, and consistent adherence to plant safety, quality, food packaging, SQF, GMP, housekeeping, and production requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

File Preparation & Prepress Operations

\u2022 Download digital files from FTP sites and prepare/preflight customer files.

\u2022 Verify resolution, fonts, color modes, file integrity, and production readiness.

\u2022 Build 1-Up files in Unified Workflow; create proof folders and generate/print 1-Up proofs.

\u2022 Print files using the Epson proofing printer.

Imposition & Layout

\u2022 Step jobs using Kodak Prinergy Layout Automation (PLA).

\u2022 Verify layout accuracy and apply required bleeds, marks, barcodes, and press specifications.

\u2022 Check jobs using VPS and send approved files to the appropriate output devices.

Color Management & Print Quality

\u2022 Perform color correction and calibration to support accurate color reproduction.

\u2022 Apply trapping and other print-quality controls as required.

Plate Production

\u2022 Manually load plates into the Kodak Plate Setter and verify plate material quality and squareness.

\u2022 Inspect completed plates; validate barcodes and identification information.

\u2022 Bend plates to production specifications and produce remake plates as required.

Equipment Operation, Maintenance & Troubleshooting

\u2022 Operate Kodak Plate Setter equipment and maintain/clean developer processor equipment.

\u2022 Perform routine maintenance procedures and promptly report equipment issues.

\u2022 Diagnose file-related, color, output, equipment, and workflow issues; take corrective action to minimize downtime.

Documentation, Housekeeping & Compliance

\u2022 Access and complete Sweep Sheets and assigned Master Cleaning Schedule / housekeeping duties.

\u2022 Follow plant SQF policy, SQF requirements, quality policy, and quality management requirements.

\u2022 Follow product mix-prevention procedures, waste-management procedures, and trash-can color-coding requirements.

\u2022 Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), physical-contaminant controls, and housekeeping/sanitation standards.

\u2022 Mark jobs complete (plated), maintain the Plate Log, enter jobs plated during the shift, and complete required production tracking.

QUALIFICATIONS:

\u2022 High school diploma or equivalent required.

\u2022 Previous prepress, plate making, printing, or graphic arts experience preferred.

\u2022 Experience with offset plate production highly preferred.

\u2022 Working knowledge of color management and print production processes.

\u2022 Ability to safely lift and handle plate materials.

\u2022 Ability to stand and work in a manufacturing environment for extended periods.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & SOFTWARE

Experience with or working knowledge of the following is preferred:

\u2022 Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.

\u2022 Kodak Prinergy and related prepress workflow tools.

\u2022 Esko software, ArtPro, Pandora, and other prepress workflow systems.

CORE COMPETENCIES

\u2022 Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality.

\u2022 Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

\u2022 Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

\u2022 Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

\u2022 Strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.

SAFETY, PPE & SITE REQUIREMENTS

\u2022 Follow all plant safety rules, procedures, and required safe-work practices.

\u2022 Wear required production-area PPE and follow ear-plug and glove policies.

\u2022 Obtain required PPE and small tools through designated vending equipment, as applicable.

\u2022 Complete and/or use required safety documentation, including Safety Forms, Near Miss Forms, and STEP Forms.

\u2022 Follow site-security procedures and the plant Chemical Control Program.

\u2022 Know how to locate and use Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

\u2022 Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently.

\u2022 Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and carrying.

\u2022 Occasional or infrequent grasping, climbing, and kneeling.

\u2022 Ability to safely perform the essential functions of the position in a manufacturing environment, with or without reasonable accommodation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in a manufacturing / prepress environment. The employee may be exposed to production equipment, noise, moving machinery, printing/processing materials, and other conditions typical of a manufacturing facility. Required PPE and all applicable safety, quality, SQF, GMP, sanitation, and site-security requirements must be followed at all times.

What we offer

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability and excellence

• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities

• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potential

• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.