Prepress Manager

About This Role

Leading the prepress department, this role ensures every job moves from file receipt to print-ready output accurately, efficiently, and on schedule. The Prepress Manager owns quality control, team leadership, and process improvement across prepress, acting as the critical link between customer service and production. You will be the final checkpoint before jobs hit the press, so precision and sound judgment matter as much as technical skill.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily workflow of the prepress department, ensuring jobs move efficiently from file receipt through to print-ready output
• Provide hands-on prepress support alongside the prepress technicians when needed, ensuring production continues smoothly during high-volume periods or staff absences
• Manage, mentor, and schedule a team of prepress staff, including a prepress technician, junior prepress operator, and digital prepress operator
• Review and troubleshoot customer-submitted files for print readiness, including colour accuracy and file integrity
• Set up and maintain colour management systems (working closely with Senior Print & Colour Management Technician) proofing standards, and quality control procedures across all print jobs
• Coordinate with customer service and production teams to establish realistic timelines and resolve scheduling conflicts
• Operate and maintain prepress software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, RIP/workflow systems)
• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures for file handling, proofing, and job archiving
• Train team members on new software, equipment, and prepress best practices
• Act as the final checkpoint for quality before jobs are released to print
• Monitor department KPIs (turnaround time, error rates, job costing) and report to senior management
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging prepress technologies
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or College Diploma/Certificate in Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in graphic design and/or digital prepress production, ideally within a print environment
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Microsoft Office applications and RIP software
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of flexibility, priorities can shift quickly based on direction from senior management, and this role requires adjusting plans and workflows accordingly without losing quality or control
• Strong understanding of design principles and the print production process
• Familiarity with transitioning projects from digital to print, including knowledge of common challenges and best practices
• Graphic design/prepress experience: 2 years (required)