ESKO Prepress Technician Level 3

Job Summary: The ESKO Flexo Prepress Operator prepares, optimizes, and manages electronic files for flexographic and digital printing environments. This role uses advanced ESKO software to manage color consistency, automate platemaking workflows, and calibrate external proofing devices. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical expertise in flexographic standards, G7 methodology, press fingerprinting, color profile mapping.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• File Preparation: Review, trap, and manipulate customer digital artwork to meet specific flexographic and digital printing requirements.
• G7 Color Correction: Implement G7 colorimetric methodologies to ensure precise tonality and gray balance. Adjust tone reproduction curves to match standardized target print specifications.
• Press Fingerprinting & Characterization: Evaluate printed flexographic press fingerprint test charts. Analyze ink density, dot gain (TVI), and minimum dot breakout to establish exact baseline printing conditions.
• ESKO Color Profile Mapping: Map, build, and maintain centralized ICC and device profiles within ESKO Color Pilot / Color Engine. Configure custom color strategies to accurately map spot colors and process builds across varying substrates and press types.
• HP Digital Workflow Management: Configure jobs utilizing ESKO AE for HP Indigo. Preflight and analyze spot-to-CMYK conversions to optimize LAB match to Pantone LIVE. Coordinate digital variable data printing (VDP) assets.
• Epson Proofer Calibration: Calibrate and profile Epson contract proofing devices using ESKO Pack Proof or Color Engine. Perform regular spectrophotometer linearization and media checks to verify color-accurate contract proofs.
• Step and Repeat Automation: Build efficient layouts using ESKO's automated step-and-repeat tools, integrating required distortion factors and cylinder metadata.
• Assist manager, supervisor and administrator as needed with customer conference calls.
• Follow established procedures, quality control steps and complete all required documentation.
• Provide backup to Administrator for QA of LEN files.
• Maintain consistent communications of project details and scheduled job status with graphics supervisor and administrator.
• Maintain electronic file hierarchy and production file integrity.
• Maintain a courteous and professional atmosphere.
• Responsible for compliance with all regulatory, facility food safety, and quality policies and procedures including product safety (GMPs) policies and procedures.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Education: BS in Graphic Design or related field preferred
• Experience: Minimum 5-7 years of color separation / job engineering experience in flexographic and digital flexible packaging / label manufacturing.
• Software Expertise: Advanced proficiency in ESKO software suite (Automation Engine, ArtPro , Color Engine, Pack Proof) and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Crystal Platemaking Workflow: Experience is a plus.
• Proofing Accuracy: Proven experience using spectrophotometers (e.g., X-Rite) for press matching and color verification.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of ICC profiling, delta-E tolerances, UV LED plate exposure mechanics, and Digital Front End (DFE) architectures.
• Advanced Color Evaluation: Proven experience using spectrophotometers (e.g., X-Rite) to read color targets, audit ink profiles, and diagnose press shift issues.
• Problem Solving: Ability to catch structural, font, or color gaps in complex multi-layer customer artwork prior to imaging.
• Color Management Certifications: Idealliance G7 Professional or G7 Expert certification is highly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a high-resolution graphics workstation.
• Ability to pass a standard Munsell Hue/color blindness test.
• Occasional handling and inspection of physical flexo plates and contract proofs