Graphic Communications graduate with hands-on print production, packaging artwork, and prepress experience gained through an internship at Quad and production work at a commercial print shop. Formally trained in color management, print estimating, and package design, with the technical foundation of a dual Engineering Technology degree. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, Esko tools, and PrintPoint — seeking a junior print specialist or production coordinator role.
Education
Illinois State University
Bachelor of Science, Graphic Communications
Bachelor of Science, Engineering Technology
GPA: 3.81 | Graduated Fall 2023
Print & Creative Experience
- Consulted customers on print specifications including sizing, substrates, bleeds, crops, and file conversions
- Prepared and laid out print jobs to maximize ink efficiency and minimize material waste
- Calibrated printers for varying paper weights, sizes, and coatings
- Selected paper weights, coatings, and finishes based on job requirements
- Produced, bound, priced, and quality-checked blueprint and document orders
- Observed commercial print and packaging production workflows across multiple facilities
- Designed and updated graphics for consumer packaging
- Prepared packaging artwork using Esko tools and Adobe Illustrator
- Updated marketing materials to align with company rebrand
- Created a demo website for a client packaging division (Packaging Insight, SC)
- Rebuilt club from near-zero activity post-COVID to many active members over 2 years
- Recruited and organized a full executive board to distribute leadership responsibilities
- Planned a few events per semester, restoring a full calendar of club activities
- Photographed campus events and processed images for distribution across university marketing channels
Core Skills
Print & Prepress
- File preflight, bleeds, crops, color spaces, resolution
- Press-ready artwork using Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat
- Digital, lithographic, flexographic, and screen printing fundamentals
- Large format printing and POP display production
- Color management: device profiling, Delta E, and color space conversion
- Imposition planning and print estimating using PrintPoint
- Consistency and accuracy across multi-file print jobs
Production & Workflow
- Layout optimization to reduce material waste
- Substrate, paper weight, coating, and finish selection
- Quality control and production checklists
- Job organization and production scheduling support
- File naming conventions and version control
- Visual proofing and error detection
- Managing multiple jobs under production deadlines
Software
- Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat
- Esko Origami and ArtiosCAD for packaging
- Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- CAD tools for production layouts, schematics, and workflow support
Notable Projects
- Designed and produced a consumer package using structural dieline, flexographic plate making, and digital printing
- Created a point-of-purchase (POP) display for large format output
- Managed full production workflow from concept through press-ready artwork
- Built a device-profiled color workflow from image capture through press-ready output
- Calibrated displays and profiled output devices; evaluated accuracy using Delta E measurements
- Applied color space conversion and soft proofing to match print targets
- Estimated production cost and profitability for a multi-piece print campaign using PrintPoint software
- Applied industry pricing terminology and markup strategy to develop a client-ready quote
- Analyzed job variables including run length, substrate, and bindery to optimize cost efficiency
Related Production Experience
- Analyzed Key Performance Indicators from machine data to identify sources of production downtime
- Built Microsoft Excel tools to track part workflow and surface scheduling bottlenecks
- Collaborated between machine operators and management to improve communication and throughput
- Created procedures for future engineers and entry-level staff
- Communicated with customers regarding project designs, improvements, and project timelines
- Improved and updated digital file organization and structure
- Applied quality and safety checks to ensure build accuracy and reliability
- Managed product sourcing, inventory organization, and order fulfillment
- Assessed product condition and quality prior to sale
- Fulfilled 45+ orders to 26 states with 100% positive customer feedback