Graphic & Structural Packaging Designer

Company Description ACME Corrugated Box Co., Inc. is a corrugated packaging manufacturer serving a wide range of industries with custom box and packaging solutions. The company focuses on combining structural integrity with visual appeal to help customers protect, present, and promote their products effectively. ACME emphasizes quality, reliability, and responsive service, working closely with clients to solve complex packaging challenges. Team members collaborate across design, production, and customer service functions to deliver efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging solutions.

Position Summary

The Graphic & Structural Packaging Designer is responsible for developing corrugated packaging solutions that meet customer branding, performance, manufacturability, and cost requirements. This hybrid role splits responsibilities between graphic package design and structural packaging engineering, supporting both sales growth and operational execution.

The position works closely with customers, sales, production, & prepress to develop packaging that is visually compelling, structurally sound, and manufacturable within plant capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Graphic Packaging Design (Approx. 75%)

·        Develop customer-facing corrugated graphics, print layouts, and packaging artwork for flexographic and digital print applications.

·        Create production-ready artwork files including color separations, print proofs, and dieline integration.

·        Ensure artwork compliance with customer brand standards, retailer requirements, barcode specifications, and print tolerances.

·        Collaborate with prepress and production teams to optimize graphics for print quality and press efficiency.

·        Prepare mockups, renderings, and customer presentation materials.

·        Support color management and print quality initiatives.

·        Coordinate revisions and approvals with customers and internal stakeholders.

·        Maintain organized artwork libraries and revision control documentation.

Structural Packaging Design (Approx. 25%)

·        Design corrugated packaging structures including RSCs, die-cuts, retail-ready packaging, displays, and protective transit packaging.

·        Develop solutions that meet customer requirements for product protection, palletization, logistics, sustainability, and cost targets.

·        Create CAD designs, sample layouts, and manufacturing specifications using packaging design software.

·        Evaluate board grades, flute profiles, stacking strength, and converting constraints.

·        Support package testing initiatives including compression, transit, and fit validation.

·        Troubleshoot packaging issues related to performance, production, or fulfillment.

·        Assist in new product development and customer innovation projects.

Technical Skills

·        Proficiency with packaging CAD software such as ArtiosCAD, Impact, or similar.

·        Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

·        Understanding of corrugated converting processes including flexographic printing, die cutting, folding/gluing, and digital print.

·        Familiarity with ISTA testing, palletization, and packaging performance standards.

·        Understanding of color management and prepress workflows.

·        Ability to read and create manufacturing specifications and dielines.

Core Competencies

·        Strong problem-solving and visualization skills.

·        Ability to balance aesthetics, functionality, manufacturability, and cost.

·        Strong attention to detail and revision control discipline.

·        Effective communication with customers, sales team, and production team.

·        Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced production environment.

Performance Metrics

·        On-time project completion

·        Customer approval cycle efficiency

·        Print and production quality performance

·        Reduction in design-related production issues

·        Material optimization and cost control

·        Speed of sample and prototype turnaround

·        Support of new business development opportunities

 

Qualifications

·        Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field preferred.

·        3+ years of experience in corrugated packaging, structural design, or packaging graphics preferred.

·        Experience in both print graphics and structural packaging design strongly preferred.

 

Preferred Additional Experience

·        Retail display, POP design, & E-commerce packaging design

·        Preprint or high-graphics corrugated packaging

·        Sustainability and material reduction initiatives

·        Knowledge of retailer packaging compliance standards (Amazon, Walmart, club stores)

Physical & Work Environment

·        Combination of office/design center and manufacturing plant environment.

·        Occasional lifting of samples and mockups up to 25 lbs.

·        Occasional travel to customer sites or production facilities may be required.