Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: PPC FLEX

Location: Buffalo Grove, IL, US

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Manufacturing Operations

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: 1-3 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for the end-to-end design and manipulation of prepress graphics and artwork, ensuring strict adherence to job specifications.

• Manages critical print production tasks, including plate file creation for flexographic and digital printing, color correction, and image optimization.

• Acts as a key liaison between design, production, sales, and customer service teams, facilitating clear communication regarding art issues and printability.

• Operates within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

• Focuses on technical aspects of graphic reproduction for printing, including color separations, trapping, and understanding screen technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into manufacturing operations and prepress for printing. This role requires a blend of creative design skills and technical production knowledge, making it a hybrid role within the operations and creative departments. The emphasis on "prepress graphics," "flexo printing," "digital printing," "color separations," and "traps" indicates a strong operational component focused on print production readiness.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and lay out artwork in strict compliance with job specifications for various printing methods (flexo, digital).

• Create and meticulously check plate files for flexographic printing and files for digital printing.

• Manage and execute color correction and optimization of images to ensure print quality and accuracy.

• Perform color separations, trapping, and stepping-out of art, demonstrating a strong understanding of print production requirements.

• Understand and apply knowledge of line screens and hybrid screens for optimal print results.

• Produce printing contract proofs and mock-ups for client review and internal approval.

• Reproduce or manipulate existing prepress graphics to meet new job requirements or update existing assets.

• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to artwork and printability.

• Collaborate closely with production teams to ensure designs are optimized for the manufacturing process.

• Maintain effective working relationships with production, sales, and customer service departments.

• Communicate with customers regarding art issues, printability concerns, and project status.

• Learn and maintain a thorough understanding of the production process to inform design decisions.

• Organize and track assigned jobs efficiently to meet fast-paced deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on technical print production rather than purely conceptual design. Responsibilities like "Create and Check plate files for flexo printing," "Do color separations, traps, and stepping-out art," and "Understand line screens and hybrid screens" are critical for operations and production teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required.

Experience: One to three years of experience in a design and/or graphics-related job, with a focus on print production environments preferred.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (CC) and Adobe Photoshop.

• Strong understanding of prepress graphics, including layout design and file preparation for print.

• Experience with color correction and image optimization techniques.

• Knowledge of color separations, trapping, and stepping-out art.

• Ability to understand and apply knowledge of line screens and hybrid screens.

• Experience in creating and checking files for flexographic and digital printing.

• Mac computer proficiency.

• Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to task management.

• Excellent organizational skills for tracking assigned jobs.

• Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of Insite, Kodak Prinergy, and Esko Software.

• Familiarity with printing contract proofs and mock-ups.

• Understanding of the production process in a manufacturing setting.

• Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical graphic issues.

• Experience communicating printability of art to customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills list (Insite, Kodak Prinergy, Esko Software) points towards specialized prepress workflow systems commonly used in the printing and packaging industry, which are critical for operations. The requirement to "Learn well about the production process" and "Understand how to create art for the majority of our products" further emphasizes the operational and technical nature of this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of design projects that demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with a focus on technical execution for print.

• Include examples of artwork prepared for flexographic or digital printing, highlighting adherence to exact job specifications.

• Present case studies or examples of color correction, image optimization, and color separations, detailing the process and outcomes.

• Demonstrate experience with layout design, including how complex layouts were managed and executed for production.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for managing design projects from brief to final output, emphasizing efficiency and accuracy.

• Articulate your process for collaborating with production teams, including how you ensure designs meet manufacturing requirements.

• Explain your methods for troubleshooting graphic or print-related issues and communicating solutions.

• Describe your approach to learning new software, processes, or production techniques, as required by the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: A portfolio for this role should heavily emphasize technical execution and print-readiness over purely aesthetic or conceptual design. The "process documentation" aspect should focus on how the candidate manages workflow, collaborates with operations, and solves production-related design problems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $21.00 - $24.00 per hour (Estimated based on provided data)

Benefits:

• Full-time employment status.

• Monday-Friday work schedule, providing a consistent work-life balance.

• Opportunity to learn and grow within the printing and manufacturing industry.

• Exposure to various production processes and technologies.

• Potential for skill development in specialized prepress software and techniques.

• Collaborative team environment with opportunities to work across departments.

Working Hours: Full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), Monday to Friday.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary is hourly, indicating an entry to mid-level position within the graphic arts and manufacturing operations sector. Benefits are standard for full-time roles, with an emphasis on learning and development within a production environment. Regional salary research for Graphic Designers in the Buffalo Grove, IL area with 1-3 years of experience shows an average range of $48,000 - $60,000 annually, which translates to approximately $23 - $29 per hour. The stated range of $21-$24/hour aligns with the lower end of this spectrum, typical for roles requiring specific technical skills but less extensive experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing (Printing and Packaging)

Company Size: Not specified, but likely a medium-sized operation given the need for in-house design and production support.

Founded: Not specified.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader production or creative services team.

• This role requires close collaboration with production staff, sales representatives, and customer service personnel.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on precise execution and adherence to technical specifications for printing.

• Data-driven decisions informed by printability, color accuracy, and production efficiency.

• Workflow management focused on meeting strict deadlines and quality standards.

• Continuous learning and adaptation to new printing technologies and software.

Company Website: https://www.ppcflex.com/ (Assuming this is the correct website based on the company name and common domain patterns for "flexo printing" related companies. The provided ADP URL is a recruitment portal, not the company's primary site.)

📝 Enhancement Note: PPC FLEX's industry implies a focus on tangible product creation. The culture likely values precision, efficiency, collaboration across operations, and a strong understanding of the manufacturing lifecycle to ensure design integrity translates into high-quality printed products.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry to mid-level technical graphic artist, focusing on the operational aspects of print production. It bridges the gap between creative design and manufacturing execution.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a manager overseeing production or creative services, likely working closely with team leads in printing (flexo and digital) and sales.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's output directly impacts production efficiency, material waste, and the final quality of printed products. Accurate prepress files and print-ready artwork are crucial for smooth manufacturing operations and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in flexographic or digital printing prepress, color management, and advanced file preparation.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to optimizing design-to-production workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and suggesting efficiency gains.

• Software Proficiency: Become an expert in specialized prepress software like Kodak Prinergy or Esko, potentially leading to senior prepress technician roles.

• Cross-functional Roles: Transition into roles within production management, quality control, or even sales engineering, leveraging a comprehensive understanding of the print process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth in this role is heavily tied to mastering the technical and operational aspects of print production, rather than purely creative design progression. The "operations impact" is direct and critical for efficient manufacturing.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, likely involving a combination of office-based design work and time spent in or near the production floor to understand the manufacturing process.

Office Location(s): Buffalo Grove, IL.

Workspace Context:

• A dedicated workstation equipped with industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and a Mac computer.

• Potential exposure to the production environment, requiring an understanding of industrial settings.

• Collaborative spaces for interacting with production staff, sales, and customer service.

• Access to proofing equipment and potentially sample printing presses for testing and mock-ups.

Work Schedule: Primarily Monday to Friday, full-time, supporting the operational demands of a manufacturing business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is critical, as understanding the physical production realities of printing is a key aspect of this role's success. Interaction with the production floor is implied for learning and troubleshooting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills and relevant experience.

• Technical Assessment: Potential practical test or review of specific design files to evaluate proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and prepress techniques.

• Manager/Team Interview: Discussion of past projects, problem-solving approach, and fit with production and team dynamics. Emphasis on understanding of print production processes.

• HR/Final Interview: Discussion of company culture, benefits, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Technical Execution: Showcase projects where you successfully translated design concepts into print-ready files for flexo or digital printing.

• Demonstrate Prepress Skills: Include examples of color separations, trapping, and optimized images, explaining your process.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Present case studies of how you resolved printability issues or met challenging design specifications.

• Detail Your Workflow: Be prepared to walk through your process for managing projects, collaborating with production, and meeting deadlines.

• Include Software Knowledge: If you have experience with Insite, Prinergy, or Esko, make sure those projects or your ability to learn them is evident.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss your approach to a hypothetical design challenge for a specific print product (e.g., a flexible packaging design).

• Prepare to explain how you would ensure a design is print-ready, considering factors like color, traps, and bleeds.

• Practice articulating your understanding of the printing process and how it influences design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review will heavily focus on practical application and technical execution for print production, rather than purely conceptual design. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of manufacturing constraints and prepress workflows.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator (CC): Core tool for vector graphics, layout, and preparing files for print.

• Adobe Photoshop (CC): Essential for image manipulation, color correction, and raster graphics preparation.

• Mac Computer: The required operating system for design work.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Prepress Workflow Software (Preferred): Insite, Kodak Prinergy, Esko Software. Proficiency or demonstrated ability to learn these systems is a significant plus for operational efficiency.

• File Transfer Protocols: Likely used for sending and receiving artwork and proofs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on core design software and specific prepress workflow systems crucial for manufacturing operations. The ability to learn these specialized tools is highlighted as a key requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision & Accuracy: Valuing meticulous attention to detail in all design and prepress work to ensure product quality.

• Efficiency: Driving timely completion of tasks and optimizing workflows to meet production demands.

• Collaboration: Fostering strong working relationships with production, sales, and customer service for seamless project execution.

• Adaptability: Willingness to learn new skills, software, and production processes in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

• Problem-Solving: Proactively identifying and resolving design and production challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional teamwork is essential, requiring clear and consistent communication with departments outside of design.

• A feedback-driven approach to design and production, where input from manufacturing is used to refine artwork.

• Knowledge sharing, especially regarding production capabilities and limitations, to improve future designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely reflects a manufacturing setting where teamwork, attention to detail, and efficiency are paramount. The ability to integrate with operations teams is a key cultural expectation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Deadlines: Consistently meeting tight turnaround times in a high-pressure production environment.

• Technical Complexity: Mastering specialized prepress techniques and software for various printing methods.

• Balancing Creativity with Technical Constraints: Ensuring designs are both aesthetically pleasing and technically feasible for manufacturing.

• Communicating Technical Issues: Clearly articulating printability concerns and solutions to non-design stakeholders, including customers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Print Training: Gaining in-depth knowledge of flexographic and digital printing processes.

• Prepress Software Mastery: Becoming proficient in industry-leading prepress workflow systems.

• Color Management Expertise: Developing advanced skills in color theory, correction, and reproduction for print.

• Understanding Manufacturing: Learning the intricacies of the production lifecycle from raw materials to finished goods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the technical demands and fast-paced nature of print manufacturing operations. Growth is focused on deepening technical expertise within this specific operational domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for taking a design from initial concept to a print-ready file for flexographic printing." (Focus on steps, software used, checks performed, collaboration.)

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you encountered a significant technical challenge with artwork for print. How did you identify the problem, and what steps did you take to resolve it?" (Highlight analytical skills, communication, and resolution.)

• Collaboration: "How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration with production teams to guarantee your designs are manufacturable?" (Emphasize teamwork, proactive communication, and understanding of production needs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about PPC FLEX and our products/services?" (Research the company's offerings, especially their printing capabilities.)

• "How do you handle working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines?" (Provide specific examples of time management and prioritization.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Technical Focus: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your prepress skills, color correction abilities, and understanding of print specifications.

• Workflow Explanation: Be ready to explain the workflow for each project, from initial brief to final output, emphasizing your role and contributions.

• Problem/Solution: For each relevant project, be prepared to discuss any challenges encountered and how you overcame them.

• Software Proficiency: Clearly articulate your experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and any other relevant prepress software.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should center on demonstrating technical competence in prepress and print production, alongside strong communication and problem-solving skills relevant to an operations-focused role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the ADP recruitment portal link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects showcasing your technical graphic design skills for print, including examples of color correction, separations, and file preparation for flexo or digital printing.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, prepress concepts, and any mention of manufacturing or production environments. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Reduced file errors by X%").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, technical skills, and ability to work under pressure. Be ready to discuss your understanding of the printing production process and your experience collaborating with operations teams.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research PPC FLEX to understand their specific printing capabilities, products, and company values. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.