Prepress & Production Artist

About Us

Lakeland Graphics is a locally owned commercial printing and graphics company based in Maple Grove, Minnesota. For nearly 40 years, we've built our reputation on quality, durability, color accuracy, and dependable service.

We specialize in custom decals, labels, overlays, signage, and graphics produced through both digital and screen printing. We're a small, experienced team where every employee plays an important role. We value craftsmanship, attention to detail, problem-solving, and people who take pride in producing work that's done right.

SummaryThe Graphics & Prepress Production Artist is responsible for preparing, reviewing, and quality-checking graphic files for print production. This role serves as the bridge between customer artwork and production, ensuring files are accurate, production-ready, and meet customer brand standards and print specifications.

This position also supports graphics production and finishing, including vinyl cutting, laminating, mounting, and other production processes. The Production Artist works closely with Sales and Production to keep projects accurate, efficient, and on schedule.

This is an in-person position based at our Maple Grove, MN location.

Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesPrepress & Graphic File Preparation

Review and prepare customer artwork for digital and screen-print production.Create and verify dielines, cut paths, bleeds, registration marks, and finished dimensions.Preflight artwork for fonts, linked images, resolution, color spaces, spot colors, transparency, overprint, and other potential production issues.Create and revise customer proofs, mockups, and production layouts.Perform color correction and set up spot/Pantone colors to meet customer specifications.Prepare production-ready files, including separations and other requirements for digital and screen printing.Set up step-and-repeat and nested layouts to maximize material utilization.Verify artwork against customer specifications, die specifications, dimensions, and brand standards.Identify and resolve artwork or production issues before files reach production.Read and interpret work orders and production specifications.Graphics Production & Finishing

Set up files for output and support large-format print and cut workflows.Operate vinyl-cutting equipment.Perform vinyl weeding, masking, application, and mounting.Laminate printed graphics and apply graphics to various substrates.Inspect finished graphics for accuracy, color, dimensions, appearance, and overall quality.Assist with additional graphics finishing and production tasks as needed.Project Coordination & Quality Control

Track project status and monitor work order schedules to help ensure projects stay on time.Communicate proactively with Sales and Production to resolve questions and minimize production errors.Maintain organized production files, graphic archives, project documentation, and records.Assist with inventory tracking and database updates.Identify and recommend workflow improvements that increase accuracy, consistency, and production efficiency.General

Maintain an organized, safe, and clean work environment.Support cross-functional team members as production needs change.Contribute to continuous process improvement.Perform other duties as assigned.QualificationsAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.1-5 years of experience in prepress, graphic production, print production, or a related role preferred.Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and strong working knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, and Acrobat Pro.Experience creating dielines, cut paths, bleeds, registration, and production-ready artwork.Experience preparing files for large-format digital printing and/or screen printing.Strong understanding of layout, resolution, color management, spot/Pantone colors, and print-production processes.Experience with artwork preflight, proofing, and quality-control procedures.Working knowledge of vinyl production, cutting, laminating, mounting, and finishing techniques.Strong attention to detail and ability to identify artwork or production issues before they reach the press.Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting production deadlines.Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Pay: $22.00–$27.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualificationsHours: Monday - Thursday; 7am-5pm core business hours 20-30 Hours per week