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Printing Prepress Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

gnc

$27 - $36/hr

Prepress Technical Specialist Why Great Northern Established in 1962, Great Northern is a local ... Pulls and inspects existing printing plate files and modifies them as needed. * Participates in ...

gnc

$31/hr

Collaborates with other prepress team members to balance workload requirements necessary to meet internal (printing press) and external (proofs, mockups) customer needs. * Collaborates with the ...

Super Color Digital, LLC

Prepress Manager

Irvine, CA

$65K - $75K/yr

Digital Department (Prepress) Manager Super Color Digital has been successfully developing graphic ... Carry out Production flow from Preflight to Printing * Provide updates on the status of Work Orders

G3

Digital Prepress Operator 2, TAPP Label

Napa, CA · On-site

$21 - $26.75/hr

... final print production files. Essential Functions This reflects management's assignment of ... prepress; typeset, layout, preflight, imposition and proofing. • Knowledge and experience in ...

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How much do printing prepress jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for printing prepress in California is $22.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $24.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a printing prepress?

A Printing Prepress job involves preparing digital files and materials for the printing process. This includes tasks such as formatting, color correction, proofreading, and creating printing plates or digital proofs. Prepress technicians work with design software and printing equipment to ensure the final product meets quality standards. They collaborate with designers, clients, and press operators to troubleshoot potential issues before production. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential in this role to avoid costly errors.

What skills and qualifications are needed for printing prepress?

To thrive as a Printing Prepress professional, you need proficiency in graphic design, color theory, and an understanding of print production processes, often supported by a degree or certification in graphic arts or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, QuarkXPress, and prepress workflow systems is essential. Attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving skills are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure that print projects are accurately prepared, meet quality standards, and progress smoothly from conception to final production.

What are common challenges in printing prepress, and how are they addressed?

Professionals in Printing Prepress often encounter challenges such as managing tight deadlines, ensuring color accuracy across different devices and media, and resolving file compatibility issues. Team members routinely collaborate with designers, print operators, and clients to clarify specifications and troubleshoot technical problems. Staying organized and detail-oriented helps prevent costly mistakes and reprints, while ongoing training in new software and print technologies keeps you adaptable. A proactive approach to communication and problem-solving ensures projects stay on track and meet client expectations.

What are popular job titles related to Printing Prepress jobs in California?

For Printing Prepress jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Printing Prepress jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Printing Prepress jobs in California are:

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Infographic showing various Printing Prepress job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,039 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

PrePress and Print Production Contractor (Fall 2026 issue)

Cal Alumni Association

Berkeley, CA • On-site

$22.75 - $30.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

The PrePress and Print Production Contractor works closely with the Design Director and the editorial team to ensure the accurate and timely production of the print editions of California magazine, published by the Cal Alumni Association. This position has full responsibility over ensuring that all files adhere to our design standards, are high quality, and ready for printing. 

The PrePress and Print Production Contractor will be contracted during the two months of production leading up to press. We currently print our magazine four times a year. This position will support our prepress and production needs for our Fall 2026 issue, with press scheduled in August. Ideally, candidates would be able to start in late June and work until we go to press in late August. Interested candidates must have availability and flexibility in their work schedule during these times, with the ability to participate in weekly virtual editorial meetings. 

Since California prints four times a year, there would be an opportunity for the PrePress and Print Production Contractor to renew their contract on a quarterly basis.  

The PrePress and Print Production Contactor is the main point of contact between the Design Director and our printing partner, Quad, during the production process. The Contractor also works with Cal Alumni Association's marketing and business development departments to check and upload all partnership ads, in-house ads, and in-house content for inclusion in the magazine. 

Work can be done remotely in the United States. The Cal Alumni Association is located in Berkeley, CA, which is in the Pacific Time Zone. California adjusts annually for daylight savings time. We set and communicate meetings and deadlines based on our Berkeley time zone.

The Cal Alumni Association seeks contractors whose previous experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We are also looking for applicants who demonstrate an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

Responsibilities

  • Manages the preflight/prepress processes for all ads, inserts, and editorial content
  • Creates template-based layouts for several back-of-book pages
  • Creates page (InDesign) files to place ads and inserts
  • Creates organized folders on Google Drive for ads and insert pages
  • Creates the map for each issue 
  • Pours final editorial copy as needed to determine word count
  • Circulates final layouts to the Design Director and editorial team for approval 
  • Makes edits on the InDesign files and maintains the files on the server
  • Circulates proofs to the Design Director and editorial team for approval
  • Processes all images, places final images in InDesign files, and uploads them to Quad
  • Uploads press ready PDFs to Quad
  • Creates and exports text files of final editorial content and the cover for web publishing
  • Creates issue PDFs for web publishing, awards, and promotion 
  • Assists with image research as needed 
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

  • 2+ years print production experience, preferably working for a magazine 
  • Strong understanding of prepress and print industry standards
  • Software fluency in graphics programs (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat)
  • Ability to meet deadlines under pressure
  • Must have flexibility in work schedule to permit occasional evening and weekend commitments during print production

Freelance Fee

Fee is $5,000 per issue. 

To Apply

You will be asked to provide a portfolio that demonstrates a proficient understanding of print media.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Deadline to Apply

June 26, 2026

Apply