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Prepress Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY Work in the Screen-printing, Embroidery, Heat Press Decal and Prepress departments to complete custom printed garment orders and ready them for shipping. Become cross-trained in all areas ...

Prepress information

See Iowa salary details

$12

$20

$30

How much do prepress jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for prepress in Iowa is $20.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.73 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are the Qualifications to Get a Prepress Job?

The qualifications to get a prepress job depend on your specific responsibilities. If you are an artist, digital platemaker, or graphics technician, you are responsible for designing and setting images using digital tools, so you should have a strong working knowledge of software like QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign. Prepress operators need to have a high school diploma or GED certificate and several years of training in a printing operation. You can also go to a vocational school or community college to get more technical experience. Important skills include an eye for detail and mechanical aptitude.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Prepress Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prepress Specialist, you need a strong understanding of graphic design principles, color theory, and print production processes, often backed by a degree in graphic arts or related experience. Proficiency with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and prepress workflow systems is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for ensuring files are print-ready and collaborating with designers and printers. These skills are vital for minimizing errors, streamlining production, and delivering high-quality printed materials on time.

What are some of the most common challenges faced by Prepress professionals and how can they be addressed?

Prepress professionals often encounter challenges such as managing tight deadlines, ensuring color accuracy across different devices, and catching file errors before printing. These issues can be addressed by maintaining strong attention to detail, using standardized checklists, and staying current with software updates and industry best practices. Regular communication with designers, print operators, and clients also helps to clarify requirements and prevent costly mistakes, making collaboration a key part of the role.

What is prepress in the printing industry?

Prepress refers to the processes and procedures that occur between the creation of a print layout and the actual printing. This includes preparing digital files, correcting colors, proofing, and making printing plates or digital setups. The goal of prepress is to ensure that the final print product matches the intended design as closely as possible, while identifying and fixing any issues before printing begins. Prepress professionals work with graphic designers, printers, and software to manage file formats, image resolution, and other technical requirements.

What is the difference between Prepress vs Print Production?

AspectPrepressPrint Production
Primary FocusPreparing digital files for printing, including layout, color correction, and proofingManaging the actual printing process, including press operation and finishing
Skills & CertificationsGraphic design, Adobe Creative Suite, prepress workflowsPress operation, equipment maintenance, quality control
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, prepress departmentsPrinting presses, production facilities
Industry UsageUsed in commercial printing, publishing, packagingUsed in printing plants, large-scale production

Prepress involves preparing digital files for printing, focusing on design, layout, and color accuracy. Print production manages the actual printing process, including operating presses and ensuring quality. Both roles are essential in the printing industry but focus on different stages of the printing workflow.

What are the most commonly searched types of Prepress jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Prepress jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Prepress jobs in Iowa? For Prepress jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prepress jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Prepress jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Prepress job openings in Iowa as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,824 per year, or $20.6 per hour.
PrePress Operator

$18.75 - $25.25/hr

Other

Retirement

Posted 25 days ago


American Packaging Corporation rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 109 rated packaging manufacturers


Job description

Description

For over a century, American Packaging Corporation (APC) has been a leading flexible packaging converter for customers throughout North America. We nurture our employees by providing competitive salaries, excellent benefits, 401(k) plans and tuition reimbursement programs. These are just a few reasons why we were named a "Best of the Best" in the Best Workplaces in the Americas awards for 12 years in a row. APC's longstanding success is fueled from the inside out, and we consistently seek to improve our internal operations to propel that success into the future.


Prepress Operator


SHIFT:  1st/2nd Rotating


SUMMARY: To prepare and stage press or laminator jobs. Prepress personnel are used in any capacity needed to stage items at any machine. They may retrieve and prepare cylinders for press run and after the press run, clean the cylinders and store them. All of these functions must be performed in the safest, most effective and efficient manner while adhering to established SOP's and quality standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

  • Facilitate on the job training and instruction for team members on the correct use of tools and equipment to ensure proper safety and operating procedures are followed.
  • Actively participate and embrace in the STOP Safety Program fundamentals and adhere to all safety guidelines and rules to aid APC's efforts to achieve a zero-accident rate.
  • Participate as a Subject Matter Expert in developing, understanding, and following Standard Operating Procedures and or training documentation.
  • Print and understand each job's Job Jacket, Print Specification, and Manufacturing Specification and take to the press.
  • Retrieve daily production schedule that identifies which job will run, quantities, priorities, etc. Interpret and act upon information. 
  • Detect, report, and resolve all missing or substandard machine parts.
  • Use an automated storage system terminal to retrieve and return cylinders and anilox to storage.
  • Coordinate with Mounting Dept with respect to the production schedule and the staging of jobs. *Applies to Story City, IA COE
  • Assemble and transport print cylinders and aniloxes between printing press and prepress departments. 
  • Place cylinders on assembly table and install the gears and journals. Install the pans, applicator pipes, end shields, splash guards and cylinders into the carriage units. *Applies to Roto COE.
  • Return the units to prepress, remove the parts, clean up the cylinders, and store them back into the storage system after a job has run. *Applies to Roto COE.
  • Aid on press set-ups as needed. Assist miscellaneous housekeeping and cleaning responsibilities.
  • Operate daily a core cutter to produce accurate size cores for each scheduled print job.
  • Complete required reports and paperwork. Use a computer terminal.
  • Perform required cleaning tasks - some daily, weekly or monthly requirements.
  • Obtain Power Industrial Truck license(s).
  • Effectively communicate with coworkers throughout all shifts.
  • Attend and participate in all company mandated meetings.
  • Business travel may be required.
  • Any other duties as assigned.


Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arm. The employee is occasionally required to walk. This position may require manual lifting not to exceed 50 lbs - reference your department-specific JHA (job hazard analysis) for departmental lifting restrictions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

American Packaging Corporation is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. American Packaging Corporation will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. EOE/AA Disability/Veteran.

If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at:

talentacquisition@americanpackaging.com.


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