REMOTE !! Commercial Print Estimator Chicago ^

Commercial Print Estimator Sheetfed, Digital & Direct Mail

A growing commercial printing company is expanding its operations in the area and looking for an experienced Commercial Print Estimator to join its team.

We are looking for someone who understands how commercial print is actually produced and can use print estimating/MIS software to accurately estimate sheetfed offset, digital printing, bindery/finishing, and direct mail projects.

The company is progressive and technology-driven, with continued investment in modern printing equipment, estimating software, workflow automation, and its people. They offer excellent compensation, outstanding benefits, paid training, and long-term advancement opportunities.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Excellent compensation
• Outstanding company benefits
• Daytime position - can work remote with experience
• Growing and stable commercial printing operation
• Modern print MIS and estimating technology
• Sheetfed offset and production digital capabilities
• In-house bindery, finishing, and direct mail
• Paid software and technical training
• Regular performance and compensation reviews
• Strong team-oriented culture
• Low employee turnover
• Long-term advancement opportunities

The Position

The Commercial Print Estimator will prepare accurate and competitive estimates for a diverse mix of sheetfed offset, production digital, bindery/finishing, and direct mail work.

You'll work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, Prepress, Production, Scheduling, Bindery, Mailing, and Management to determine the most efficient and profitable way to manufacture each project.

This isn't simply a data-entry position. We're looking for someone who understands printing and can look at a job specification and determine how it should be produced.

Print Estimating / MIS Software

Experience with commercial printing estimating or MIS software is important.

We are interested in candidates who have worked with systems such as:

EFI Pace | EFI Monarch | EFI PrintSmith Vision | PrintIQ | Tharstern | EPMS | Avanti Slingshot | PrintVis | Technique | ePS Radius | ePS Pace | ePS Monarch | ePS PrintSmith Vision | DocketManager | Ordant | Midnight | Similar Print MIS/Estimating Systems

You do not need experience with the company's exact software.

If you understand commercial print estimating and have successfully used a print MIS or estimating platform, the company will provide paid training on its specific system.

What You'll Estimate

Projects can include:

• Sheetfed offset printing
• Production digital printing
• Short- and long-run commercial print
• Brochures and marketing collateral
• Booklets and catalogs
• Direct mail campaigns
• Variable-data printing
• Personalized print
• Cutting, folding, and stitching
• Perfect binding
• Laminating and coating
• Die cutting, scoring, and perforating
• Inserting and mailing
• Outside finishing and specialty services

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed estimates for commercial printing projects
• Enter and maintain estimates within the company's MIS/estimating software
• Review customer specifications, RFQs, and job requirements
• Determine the most efficient production method
• Estimate sheetfed offset and digital printing
• Determine when a project is better suited for offset versus digital production
• Calculate paper requirements and optimize sheet utilization
• Estimate press time, make-ready, spoilage, labor, materials, and production costs
• Calculate bindery and finishing requirements
• Estimate direct mail and mailing-related production
• Obtain outside vendor pricing when required
• Review previous jobs and historical production information
• Identify missing or conflicting job specifications
• Work with Sales and Customer Service to develop production alternatives
• Recommend more cost-effective manufacturing methods when appropriate
• Help maintain accurate pricing, costing, and production information within the MIS
• Support competitive pricing while protecting company margins

Experience We're Looking For

Candidates should have approximately 2+ years of commercial print estimating experience or closely related experience providing a strong understanding of printing, production, and job costing.

You should understand factors including Press Format | Sheet Size | Imposition | Paper & Substrates | Paper Utilization | Run Length | Make-Ready | Color Requirements | Production Speeds | Spoilage | Bindery | Finishing | Outside Services | Labor | Mailing

Experience estimating work produced on sheetfed offset presses and production digital equipment is particularly important.

Direct Mail Experience Is Valuable

Because the company also produces direct mail, experience estimating mailing projects is a plus.

This could include Variable Data | Data Processing | Inkjet Addressing | Inserting | Folding | Tabbing | Sorting | Postal Preparation | Mailing Services

You don't need to be a postal expert, but you should understand how direct mail requirements can affect the production process, equipment selection, scheduling, and overall cost of a job.

Strong Print Background but Ready to Move Into Estimating?

The company may also consider an experienced Print CSR, Production Planner, Print Buyer, Account Manager, Production Coordinator, or other commercial print professional who understands how jobs move through a plant and has the analytical and computer skills to move into estimating.

For the right person, the company is willing to provide paid estimating and software training.

This is an opportunity to join a growing commercial printer where your industry knowledge will directly impact pricing, production efficiency, profitability, and the company's ability to win new business.