Prepress Operator

Prepress Operator

Responsible for reviewing, preparing, and processing newspaper and commercial print materials to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with production specifications before files are released to press. This position requires strong attention to detail, effective communication, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and the ability to work efficiently in a deadline-driven production environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Review pages, layouts, plans, and sections to ensure accuracy and completeness before files are released to press plates.
• Verify production specifications for commercial print projects involving both internal departments and external vendors.
• Monitor and maintain awareness of internal and external emails and communications to ensure production requirements, changes, and deadlines are addressed promptly.
• Maintain constant communication with Editorial and Diagramming teams to resolve issues, coordinate changes, and maintain an accurate production workflow.
• Manage multiple tasks and production assignments simultaneously across various platforms while meeting strict deadlines.
• Operate and navigate production systems, including Newsway, CUE Print, Naviga, and PGL.
• Use Adobe software to review, edit, troubleshoot, and prepare files for print production.
• Monitor production workflows and identify issues that could affect page quality, deadlines, press schedules, or delivery.
• Communicate production issues promptly and work with the appropriate teams to resolve missing, incorrect, or problematic files.
• Follow established production procedures, deadlines, quality standards, and press requirements.
• Provide support to other members of the production team as needed to maintain workflow and meet daily deadlines.
• Work flexible hours as required, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on production schedules and business needs.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments at the same time.
• Experience working with Adobe Creative Cloud applications is essential.
• Ability to learn and work with multiple production and publishing systems.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with Editorial, Diagramming, Prepress, and other departments.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when required.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.

Be a part of something bigger – your headline awaits.