Graphic Designer - 22002

Our client is a full-service sign and visual marketing company based in the Midwest, with roots in sign-making that go back generations. What began as a small sign shop has grown into a full-scale manufacturing operation, where designers, fabricators, and installers combine craftsmanship with modern technology such as routers and UV printers.

The company serves thousands of businesses nationwide, from small main street shops to mid-market and enterprise brands, in industries such as retail, banking, healthcare, agriculture, construction, and equipment dealers. Its products include interior and exterior signage, wayfinding, vehicle and fleet graphics, banners, decals, stickers, trade show displays, and custom event badges. To support continued growth, the company is adding a full-time Graphic Designer to its print production team.

We are seeking a print-focused Graphic Designer to create and prepare production-ready artwork for the company's signs, graphics, and event products.

This individual will create event badges by populating design templates with attendee data from Excel, set up artwork files for print, and make sure every design can be physically produced on the company's equipment. They will work with layers, cut lines, and proofs, prepare files for customer approval, and track jobs through the company's print management system.

The ideal candidate is a junior-to-mid-level designer with 2–5 years of experience, strong Adobe Illustrator skills, and a solid understanding of how designs become finished printed products. Training will be provided on the company's print ERP system, and there is plenty of room to grow.

• Create event badges by populating design templates with attendee data from Excel spreadsheets.
• Use variable data and data merge techniques to produce large badge runs accurately and efficiently.
• Check every badge for correct names, titles, spelling, and layout before production.
• Meet tight deadlines for events and conferences.

• Set up artwork files for print so designs can be produced correctly on the company's equipment.
• Organize files using layers for print, cut, white ink, and other production elements.
• Prepare cut lines, dielines, bleeds, and safe areas based on each product's requirements.
• Make sure files use the correct color modes, resolution, fonts, and vector artwork for production.
• Catch and fix design issues that could cause problems during printing, cutting, or fabrication.

• Create clear, accurate proofs for customer review and approval.
• Make revisions based on customer and team feedback.
• Confirm all details, including sizes, materials, colors, and quantities, before files go to production.

• Design and adjust artwork for signs, banners, decals, stickers, vehicle graphics, and other print products.
• Adapt customer logos and brand assets for different products and materials.
• Follow brand guidelines and customer specifications closely.

• Track design and production jobs in the company's print ERP system (training provided).
• Manage multiple projects at once and keep them moving on schedule.
• Work closely with the production, sales, and customer service teams.
• Communicate questions, issues, and file problems clearly and quickly.

• 2–5 years of graphic design experience, ideally with a focus on print.
• Strong experience with Adobe Illustrator.
• Understanding of print setup, including layers, bleeds, cut lines, color modes, and vector artwork.
• Experience creating proofs and preparing files for production.
• Ability to work with Excel data to populate templates accurately.
• Exceptional attention to detail, especially with names, spelling, and sizing.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Good written and verbal English communication skills.
• Willingness to learn a new print ERP system.
• Reliable high-speed internet connection, a dedicated remote workspace, and a computer capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Availability to work full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, during U.S. Central Time business hours.

• Experience in the sign, print, or large-format printing industry.
• Experience with variable data printing or Illustrator data merge.
• Experience preparing files for cutters, routers, UV printers, or vinyl plotters.
• Experience designing vehicle graphics, wraps, or signage.
• Familiarity with project management or print ERP software.
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.

Candidates should be comfortable working with or quickly learning:

• Adobe Illustrator (required)
• Adobe Photoshop and InDesign
• Microsoft Excel
• Print ERP system (training provided)
• Project management software
• Google Workspace / Microsoft Office

• Hands-on experience with a wide range of print products, from event badges to vehicle graphics.
• Training on the company's print ERP system and production processes.
• Room to grow your skills and responsibilities as the company grows.
• The chance to see your designs turned into real, finished products.
• A stable full-time remote position with an established, growing company.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented graphic designer who understands that great print design has to work in the real world, not just on screen.

They are confident in Illustrator, comfortable setting up layers, cut lines, and bleeds, and know how to spot a file problem before it reaches production. When a large badge order comes in, they can quickly and accurately pull data from Excel into templates without missing a name.

They work well with deadlines, communicate clearly with the team, and are eager to learn new systems. Most importantly, they take pride in accurate, production-ready work and want to grow with the company.

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Accuracy of event badges and other variable data projects.
• Number of files that go to production without errors or rework.
• Turnaround time on proofs and production files.
• Customer approval rates on first proofs.
• On-time completion of design and production jobs.
• Accuracy of job tracking in the print ERP system.
• Progress in learning the print ERP and production processes.