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Printing Prepress Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

In this role, the designer will conceptualize, design, and prepare visual artwork specifically for printed apparel. The position requires balancing creativity with technical prepress skills to ...

Graphic Designer

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$15 - $25/hr

In this role, the designer will conceptualize, design, and prepare visual artwork specifically for printed apparel. The position requires balancing creativity with technical prepress skills to ...

Ability to prevent errors and solve problems on all prepress machines * Must have the ability to ... Mittera is a leading-edge company that provides commercial and digital printing, finishing, graphic ...

Printing Prepress information

What are some common challenges faced in a Printing Prepress role, and how are they typically 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 is a Printing Prepress job?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Printing Prepress position, and why are they important?

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 popular job titles related to Printing Prepress jobs in Iowa? For Printing Prepress jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Printing Prepress jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Printing Prepress jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Printing Prepress job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 86% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Contract, 2% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

$18.75 - $25.25/hr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 26 days ago


American Packaging Corporation rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 119 rated packaging manufacturers


Job 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: Days, 7p-7a
SITE: Story City, IA
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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