Production Artist & Color Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

GENERAL PUBLIC is a revolutionary art publishing company that uses proprietary 3-D technology to accurately reproduce paintings. We have a creative, collaborative culture driven by passion and innovation.

Summary

We're looking for an experienced Production Artist & Color Specialist to build master print files and run the printers that produce them. You'll own color accuracy from file to finished print, keeping it consistent across scanners, printers, proofs, reprints and machines, so a reorder matches the original.

This is a skilled, hands-on role, not an entry-level one. You should understand how our files are made, from artwork capture through final output. You'll work closely with the Digital Art and production teams, help keep the workflow running smoothly, and look for ways to improve it.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Digital Art & File Creation

• Build master print files, including setup for Synographs (textured printing) and Reductives (single-layer printing)
• Perform color correction, retouching, proofing and high-res restoration of original artwork
• Operate RIP (Raster Image Processor) software
• Build, edit and maintain ICC, device and media profiles to keep color and texture accurate across equipment
• Preflight files and make sound calls on resolution, scaling and output size
• Crop, clean and optimize files; keep naming, versioning and organization consistent
• Handle design and layout work for production files, and take on new projects and products as they come up

Print Production & Color Management

• Run the Canon and Epson fine art printers for reductive production, and the SwissQ Nyala and Kudu flatbed UV printers when needed
• Manage color across every device in the production chain: proofing, correction, calibration and consistent output
• Use a spectrophotometer/densitometer to profile and verify color to a set tolerance, not by eye alone
• Match spot and brand colors as jobs require
• Manage ink and media compatibility, ink limiting and linearization
• Print on canvas, fine art paper, board and rigid substrates, holding color consistent across reprints and machines
• Nest and gang jobs to use material efficiently
• Run digital cutting equipment and handle finishing
• Test substrates and materials, and prep materials for production runs
• Perform advanced printer maintenance and keep equipment serviced

Quality Assurance & Workflow

• Inspect print quality against a defined standard and sign off before work moves on
• Troubleshoot the full chain to determine whether an issue is the file, profile, printer or substrate
• Manage the day-to-day production workflow, keeping jobs moving and on schedule
• Document settings and build repeatable SOPs
• Find ways to improve process, tighten quality and increase efficiency

General

• Train and evaluate candidates when needed
• Keep your work area clean and organized
• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• 3–5 years of hands-on large format print production or fine-art reproduction (required)
• Portfolio or samples of production and color work
• Degree in Graphic Design, Fine Art, Photography, Digital Media, Art History or a related field is a plus, not required; we value real production experience over a degree
• Valid California driver's license (required)

Required Skills & Qualifications

Print production

• Hands-on experience running large and wide format production printers (fine art and/or flatbed UV, such as Canon, Epson or SwissQ Nyala/Kudu)
• Experience printing across varied substrates (canvas, fine art paper, board, rigid) with consistent color across reprints and machines
• Understanding of ink and media compatibility, ink limiting and linearization
• Digital cutting and finishing experience, including basic cut-path and registration setup
• Knowledge of substrate testing and material handling
• Comfortable with equipment maintenance and troubleshooting

Color

• Strong color management from file to final print: correction, proofing, calibration and consistency
• Experience building and editing ICC, device and media profiles
• Hands-on with spectrophotometer/densitometer tools (e.g. X-Rite, Barbieri) and working to a Delta-E tolerance
• Solid grasp of color spaces, rendering intents, soft proofing and monitor calibration
• Spot- and brand-color matching
• Familiarity with CMYK and extended-gamut/multi-channel printing
• Ability to accurately distinguish color, with or without reasonable accommodation
• G7 or Fogra certification is a plus

Files & art

• Working knowledge of scanning and surface/image capture, and how color-accurate source files are made, so you can correct for color and texture
• Experience building production-ready master files (texture and single-layer, or comparable)
• High-res retouching and restoration, with sound judgment on resolution, scaling and interpolation for large output
• Preflighting, large-file handling and version control
• Solid design and layout skills
• RIP software and Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop

Quality & workflow

• Quality control to a defined standard, with the eye to know when a print is right
• Experience managing production workflow and keeping jobs on schedule
• A track record of improving processes and quality, and of documenting settings and building SOPs

General

• Well organized with a sharp eye for detail
• Good communicator and team player
• Adaptable, takes initiative, and sticks with a problem until it's solved
• Reliable, committed to quality, and always learning
• Able to meet deadlines and handle changes or surprises

Physical Requirements

With or without reasonable accommodation, the employee must be able to:

• Stand and move throughout an eight-hour shift or more
• Perform repetitive hand, arm and leg movement, and push and pull
• Lift up to 50 lbs

Work Environment

Manufacturing environment or open collaborative space, with hot and cold temperatures and at times noise, dust, dirt and odors.

Other Conditions

• Adhere to all company policies, rules and regulations, including the Employee Handbook and Safety Manual
• Be available to work the hours required by prevailing work volumes
• Maintain a professional image and represent the company courteously and respectfully with customers, vendors, employees and the public

It is the policy of GENERAL PUBLIC not to discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.