Prepress Production Planner

Prepress Production Planner – Print & Packaging

Salary: $60,000 – $65,000+ annually

We are currently recruiting for a Prepress Production Planner to join a fast-paced print and packaging manufacturing environment. This position is responsible for determining the most efficient and cost-effective way each job will run, including press selection, sheet or web size, imposition/layout, materials, and finishing method.

The Prepress Production Planner will build efficient impositions and layouts, validate material yields, and ensure each job is production-ready before it is released to Scheduling and Manufacturing.

Responsibilities:

• Review estimates, quotes, specifications, and artwork to confirm the most cost-effective production method, including press format, colors, sides, coatings, and versions.

• Determine make-ready strategy and plan for changeovers, versioning, and gang or combination runs when appropriate.

• Validate run rates, waste, and spoilage targets against historical and plant standards.

• Lead and/or contribute during production meetings and planning meetings.

• Create and approve impositions and layouts that optimize yield and throughput, including signatures, step-and-repeat, nesting, and gang runs.

• Define press sheet or web size, orientation, grain direction, bleeds, gutters, color bars, and control targets.

• Plan die layouts and folding schemes.

• Confirm die availability or request new tooling as needed.

• Ensure layouts meet finishing constraints, including folding sequences, pocket orientation, trim allowances, glue flaps, and pharma N-up limits when applicable.

• Select the appropriate press or printing process, including offset, flexo, or digital, based on cost, quality, substrate, and volume.

• Define bindery and finishing routings such as cutting, folding, stitching, perforating, scoring, gluing, pharma folding, and handwork.

• Plan WIP handling and ensure production flow is properly supported.

• Confirm regulatory and quality requirements for pharma or medical packaging when applicable, including GMP documentation, line clearance, traceability, and insert/outsert limits.

• Specify substrates, calipers, coatings, and inks aligned with performance and compliance requirements.

• Partner with Scheduling to align production windows, constraints, and release readiness.

• Ensure artwork, dies, materials, and production information are ready before jobs are released.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Strong knowledge of printing processes, including offset, digital, and/or flexo.

• Strong understanding of press sheet or web optimization, grain direction, and bindery operations.

• Knowledge of cutting, folding, stitching, gluing, and related finishing processes.

• Ability to read CAD files, die files, folding dummies, and technical drawings.

• Familiarity with die libraries and tooling lead times preferred.

• Experience working with ERP or MIS systems for BOMs and routings.

• Strong Excel skills for yield checks, cost checks, and production planning.

• High attention to detail and strong data accuracy.

• Strong practical problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Strong organization skills with the ability to meet deadlines in a high-volume environment.

• Ability to support and communicate effectively with multiple departments.

Ideal Candidate:

• Background in prepress, production planning, estimating, structural design, or technical print planning.

• Strong understanding of print production, imposition, layouts, substrates, and finishing requirements.

• Comfortable working with scheduling, prepress, manufacturing, quality, and customer service teams.

• Detail-oriented, analytical, and able to determine the most efficient way to run complex jobs.

• Experience in commercial print, folding carton, labels, pharma packaging, or related packaging environments.