Direct message the job poster from Blue Star Press
Brenna Licalzi
Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
Blue Star Press, voted one of the industry’s fastest-growing independent publishers by Publishers Weekly three years in a row, seeks a detail-oriented and motivated Production Designer to join its team.
Blue Star Press creates beautiful, highly illustrated books, games, and gift products in the categories of arts, crafts, wellness, food & drink, coloring, children’s, humor, and more. We are an independent publisher with an entrepreneurial spirit, and our products reflect the passion and vision of our dynamic and highly collaborative team.
The Production Designer will be responsible for assisting our team with production design and prepress file management for a variety of books, games, and gift products each year. Working closely with the Art Director, the Production Designer will perform page composition, select printer material options, and prepare files for the printer, along with additional responsibilities outlined below.
If you’re a driven and highly organized Production Designer with print and digital experience, then we encourage you to apply.
Responsibilities:
Perform page composition and set up print-ready production files (including, but not limited to, book covers, interiors, die-cuts, boxes, cards, speciality packaging items, and any additional printer finishes such as foil, UV spot gloss, etc.)
Work closely with Editorial team to incorporate proofreader and author corrections into the design files at various stages of the production process
Ensure completion of design files and adherence to final project specifications; work with the Design team and Production Manager to resolve discrepancies
Prepare and adjust photographs and illustrations to ensure proper print reproduction
Preflight final design files to ensure accuracy and compatibility with printer requirements, and generate press-ready PDFs
Make file corrections from printer proofs, and transmit corrected files to the Editorial team for review
Work with Project Manager and Art Director to optimize Design workflow and actively monitor weekly Design tasks and deliverables, identifying and resolving issues as needed
Perform file corrections for reprints
Work with the Art Director to organize and archive files, and facilitate access to design assets for the Blue Star team
Maintain awareness of new and emerging production software and tools, and make recommendations for acquiring and integrating appropriate resources
Qualifications
5+ years of relevant design experience and education
Proven ability to take initiative, work independently, successfully manage competing priorities, and keep projects on time and within budget
Extensive knowledge of typography and proper typesetting conventions
Enthusiasm for helping shape our publishing program, including an appetite for exploring new publishing ventures, and offering ideas and feedback
Strong attention to detail and a passion for delivering high-quality work
Technical proficiency in producing functional, aesthetic outputs with content appropriately sized for each platform and appropriately packaged for print production
Experience in package design preflight and production a plus
A track record of engaging effectively with both internal and external stakeholders, including expertise in managing external vendors
Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills
Expert knowledge of current design tools and resources, including fluency in Adobe Creative Suite; familiarity with web and digital design tools, including CAD or 3D rendering software, a plus
About Blue Star Press: Blue Star Press is an independent publisher based in Bend, OR. We publish non-fiction titles in the categories of gift, humor, creative how-to, coloring, memory and heirloom, health and wellness, personal growth, parenting, and children’s books. We also publish games and other non-traditional gift products. We are a busy and quickly growing team with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for producing beautiful full-color books and products with unique production materials and packaging. We're not afraid to do things differently, and we were recognized by Publishers Weekly as one of the industry's Fastest Growing Publishers three years in a row.
Key Benefits:
Eligibility for medical, vision, and dental coverage (subject to plan terms)
Blue Star Press LLC pays 100% for Employee + Kids coverage for medical, dental, vision
Blue Star Press LLC pays 100% for Employee + Family for Dental & Vision
One Medical
401(k) retirement plan (subject to plan terms) to begin within the month following the start of employment. Blue Star Press matches 100% of the first 3%; 50% of the next 2%