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Freelance Prepress Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Train and oversee production artists and freelance support staff as needed Qualifications * 5+ ... If relevant to the project, initiate prepress and/or postproduction involvement through to the ...

$77 - $94/hr

... a freelance capacity for most of those years is preferred. * Must be comfortable, efficient, and an effective communicator while working in a remote environment. * Must have awareness of prepress ...

... a freelance capacity for most of those years is preferred. * Must be comfortable, efficient, and an effective communicator while working in a remote environment. * Must have awareness of prepress ...

... a freelance capacity for most of those years is preferred. * Must be comfortable, efficient, and an effective communicator while working in a remote environment. * Must have awareness of prepress ...

WI · On-site

$68.28 - $102.42/hr

Je brieft onze freelance designer, loodst artworks door het prepress-portaal en waakt over wetgeving en certificeringen (Rainforest Alliance/Fairtrade). * Internationale Beurzen: Je regelt onze ...

The Editorial Supervisor manages workflow and begins to supervise staff and freelance on more than ... prepress. * Able to handlenumerousprojects while supervising the work of other editors. * The ES ...

$63 - $77/hr

... freelance capacity for most of those years is preferred. * Must be comfortable, efficient, and an effective communicator while working in a remote environment. * Must have some knowledge of prepress ...

New

$111K - $116K/yr

Mentor creative team, freelancers and interns * Work with Project Coordinators to ensure timely ... Advanced knowledge of four-color, spot, and digital printing processes and prepress requirements ...

New

$66 - $91/hr

Working knowledge of prepress, mechanical building, and print production (substrates, dielines ... We also offer medical and voluntary benefits to our freelancers and temporary employees. Voluntary ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Prepress information

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$13

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$32

How much do freelance prepress jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance prepress in the United States is $21.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance prepress professional?

A freelance prepress professional is a specialist who prepares digital files for printing, working independently rather than as a full-time employee of a print shop or agency. They ensure that graphics, text, and images are correctly formatted, color profiles are accurate, and files meet the technical requirements of printers. Their responsibilities may include proofing, color correction, image retouching, and file conversion. Freelance prepress experts often work with various clients, offering their services for different types of print jobs such as magazines, brochures, packaging, and more.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance prepress professional?

To thrive as a Freelance Prepress Specialist, you need expertise in print production processes, strong attention to detail, and proficiency in file preparation and color management, often supported by a graphic design degree or relevant experience. Mastery of industry-standard software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and preflight tools is essential. Exceptional organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and clear communication with clients and printers help ensure smooth project workflows. These skills are crucial for delivering error-free print-ready files, meeting deadlines, and maintaining client satisfaction in a deadline-driven environment.

What are some common challenges freelance prepress professionals face when working with multiple clients?

Freelance prepress professionals often manage projects for several clients simultaneously, which can lead to challenges such as varying file formats, inconsistent design standards, and tight turnaround times. Communication is key, as clarifying client expectations and print specifications early helps prevent costly errors or delays. Additionally, freelancers must stay updated on the latest prepress software and printing technologies to ensure high-quality deliverables and maintain client satisfaction.

What is the difference between Freelance Prepress vs Freelance Graphic Designer?

AspectFreelance PrepressFreelance Graphic Designer
CredentialsPrepress certifications, design software proficiencyDesign degrees, portfolio
Work EnvironmentPrint production, prepress studios, remoteCreative studios, remote, client sites
Industry UsagePrinting, publishing, packagingAdvertising, branding, digital media

Freelance Prepress specialists focus on preparing digital files for printing, ensuring color accuracy and file integrity. Freelance Graphic Designers create visual concepts for various media. While both roles require design skills, Prepress professionals emphasize technical file preparation, whereas Graphic Designers focus on creative design. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right freelancer for their project needs.

Is freelance prepress a stressful job?

Freelance prepress involves preparing digital files for printing, which can be stressful during tight deadlines or when handling complex projects. The job requires attention to detail and proficiency with design and printing software, but workload and client expectations can influence stress levels.
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Infographic showing various Freelance Prepress job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,593 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Junior Graphic Designer/Production Designer

Enterprise Technology Services

Washington, DC

$23 - $30.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Enterprise Technology Services (ETEK) is seeking a talented Junior Graphic Designer / Production Designer to join our Creative Services team supporting the United States Mint. This position is ideal for an early-career designer with a strong visual portfolio who wants to work on high-profile creative projects involving packaging, print collateral, marketing materials, digital communications, and production design.


This position will work closely with designers, creative leadership, production staff, and Government stakeholders to develop polished visual materials from initial concept through final production.


Responsibilities

  • Design and produce high-quality print and digital materials, including packaging, marketing collateral, brochures, signage, presentations, promotional materials, and other visual communications.
  • Support the development and refinement of creative concepts while maintaining established brand standards and visual consistency.
  • Prepare production-ready artwork using Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
  • Create layouts utilizing strong principles of typography, composition, hierarchy, color, imagery, and visual storytelling.
  • Prepare files for professional print production, including bleeds, trim, image resolution, color profiles, and other prepress requirements.
  • Review and proof creative materials for visual quality, accuracy, consistency, and production readiness.
  • Support packaging and physical-product design projects, including preparation of artwork, dielines, mockups, and production files.
  • Work collaboratively with creative directors, designers, photographers, writers, production personnel, and other project stakeholders.
  • Manage multiple concurrent assignments while meeting established schedules and production deadlines.
  • Incorporate creative direction and stakeholder feedback accurately and efficiently.
  • Maintain organized project files, source files, assets, and final deliverables using established file-management standards.
  • Support operation of large-format printers and other digital print-production equipment as required.
  • Assist with additional creative, production, and workflow activities as needed.


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree, associate degree, certificate, or equivalent demonstrated capability in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Communication Design, Digital Media, Fine Arts, or a related discipline.
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality graphic design work and a clear understanding of visual design fundamentals.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly:
    • Adobe Illustrator
    • Adobe InDesign
    • Adobe Photoshop
    • Adobe Acrobat
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Typography
    • Layout and composition
    • Color
    • Visual hierarchy
    • Branding
    • Image selection and treatment
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to identify visual inconsistencies or production errors.
  • Ability to receive creative direction and translate feedback into effective design revisions.
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments and shifting priorities in a deadline-driven creative environment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative creative team.
  • Demonstrated willingness to learn new design, production, and workflow tools.


Preferred Qualifications

  • 0-3 years of professional, internship, freelance, or comparable graphic design experience.
  • Experience designing packaging, print collateral, marketing materials, or physical products.
  • Familiarity with professional print-production and prepress processes.
  • Experience preparing artwork for commercial or large-format printing.
  • Familiarity with packaging dielines, mockups, or production templates.
  • Experience working within established brand standards or design systems.
  • Experience with photography, photo editing, illustration, motion graphics, or digital media.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, Planner, or similar collaboration and project-management platforms.
  • Experience operating large-format printers or other digital print-production equipment.


Portfolio Requirement

Applicants must provide a portfolio or work samples demonstrating their design capabilities.

Portfolios should ideally include examples of several of the following:

  • Print design
  • Packaging design
  • Marketing collateral
  • Typography and layout
  • Branding or identity work
  • Posters or promotional materials
  • Editorial design
  • Digital graphics
  • Production-ready design work

Portfolio quality will be a primary consideration in the candidate evaluation process.



ETEK is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) employer. We are committed to providing all qualified candidates consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected veteran status, disability, national origin, genetic information, or any other protected status.

  • US Citizenship or documented proof of eligibility to work in the US is required. Applicants selected will be subject to a Government investigation and must meet eligibility requirements to obtain Government clearance.