Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Large Format Printing Estimator to join our team. This position is responsible for reviewing customer specifications, drawings, and project requirements to develop accurate and competitive estimates for large-format printing, graphics, signage, displays, and related fabricated products.

The ideal candidate understands the entire production process, including printing, substrates, finishing, fabrication, labor, installation, outside services, and material utilization. This individual will work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, Prepress, Production, and Management to ensure estimates accurately reflect the scope of work and the most efficient method of production.

This role requires someone who is analytical and detail-oriented while also having enough practical production knowledge to identify the best way to manufacture a project.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and timely estimates for large-format printing, signage, graphics, displays, and related projects.
• Review customer specifications, drawings, artwork requirements, bid documents, and requests for quotation.
• Determine the most efficient production method based on equipment capabilities, materials, quantities, finishing requirements, and project specifications.
• Calculate costs for:
  • Raw materials and substrates
  • Ink and consumables
  • Machine and production time
  • Prepress and file preparation
  • Finishing and converting
  • Cutting and routing
  • Laminating and mounting
  • Sewing and finishing
  • Fabrication
  • Packaging
  • Freight and shipping
  • Installation
  • Outside services and subcontracted work
  • Labor and other project-specific costs
• Develop material layouts and determine appropriate material yields, waste factors, and production efficiencies.
• Obtain pricing from vendors and subcontractors when required.
• Work with Purchasing to confirm current material and outsourced service costs.
• Collaborate with Sales and Customer Service to clarify specifications and recommend cost-effective production alternatives.
• Identify missing information, potential production challenges, and cost risks before quotes are finalized.
• Assist in determining appropriate production processes for unusual or highly customized projects.
• Maintain accurate estimating data, including material costs, machine rates, labor rates, and vendor pricing.
• Review completed projects when appropriate to compare estimated costs versus actual production costs.
• Assist in improving estimating standards, production assumptions, and costing methodologies.
• Support value-engineering initiatives by identifying alternative materials or production methods that reduce costs while maintaining customer requirements.
• Manage multiple estimates simultaneously while meeting customer and sales deadlines.

Products & Applications

Candidates may be responsible for estimating projects involving products such as:

• Retail and POP/POS displays
• Environmental and experiential graphics
• Window, wall, and floor graphics
• Interior and exterior signage
• Trade show and event graphics
• Banners and soft signage
• Fabric graphics
• Backlit graphics
• Vehicle or fleet graphics
• Retail rollouts
• Display graphics
• Rigid signage and graphics
• Dimensional or fabricated displays
• Custom large-format print and fabrication projects

Materials & Substrates

Experience estimating with a variety of materials is preferred, including:

• Vinyl and pressure-sensitive materials
• Banner materials
• Fabrics and textiles
• Acrylic
• PVC
• Foam board and foam PVC
• Corrugated plastic
• Paperboard
• Aluminum composite materials
• Polystyrene
• Styrene
• Wood and specialty substrates
• Laminates and protective films
• Adhesives and mounting materials

QualificationsPreferred Experience

• 3+ years of estimating experience in large-format printing, signage, graphics, display, POP, or a related manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong understanding of large-format digital printing and associated finishing processes.
• Knowledge of both roll-to-roll and flatbed printing workflows preferred.
• Familiarity with finishing equipment and processes such as CNC routing, digital cutting, laminating, mounting, sewing, welding, trimming, and fabrication.
• Ability to read and interpret customer specifications, drawings, layouts, and production requirements.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Strong understanding of material utilization, yields, spoilage, waste, labor, machine rates, and manufacturing costs.
• Experience working with estimating, MIS, ERP, or print management software preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Sales, Production, Purchasing, Customer Service, vendors, and management.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be someone who:

• Thinks like a manufacturer, not simply a spreadsheet estimator.
• Understands how an estimate translates into an actual production job.
• Is comfortable asking questions when specifications are incomplete.
• Can identify a more efficient way to produce a project.
• Pays close attention to material usage, labor, machine time, and outside costs.
• Understands that accurate estimating is critical to both winning business and protecting profitability.
• Can balance speed and accuracy when responding to customer opportunities.
• Takes ownership of their estimates from initial request through final quotation.

Desired Skills

• Large-format digital printing
• Print estimating
• Cost estimating
• Material optimization
• Production planning
• Signage and graphics
• Display manufacturing
• POP/POS production
• CNC routing and digital cutting
• Fabrication
• Print finishing
• Vendor sourcing
• Manufacturing cost analysis
• Microsoft Excel
• MIS/ERP systems