Production Specialist

Job summary

Prepare client artwork for production by handling layout, vectorization, color, bleeds, scaling, and file setup, and select appropriate materials and finishes for each job. Manage jobs from artwork intake through printing and finishing to shipment, coordinating with clients, production staff, and installers to ensure the final product meets expectations.

Job details

We're growing and we need a Production Specialist who lives at the intersection of design, print, and materials — someone who can take a client's raw art, turn it into a bulletproof print-ready file, and know exactly what vinyl, substrate, and finish will make it look incredible in the real world. This isn't just an Illustrator job. You'll be the bridge between the client, the production floor, and the install crew — making the calls on file setup, material choice, and how the final piece should look and feel. If you know your cast vinyl from your calendared, your coroplast from your PVC, and you can rebuild a messy client file into a clean vector in your sleep — keep reading. You'll be working on graphics for Adidas, Sephora, Revlon, Paramount+, Warner Brothers, and other major brands. After 35 years, National Sign & Design is Canada's go-to shop for large format event graphics — and the Production Specialist is the brain that makes every job come out right. What You'll Do: Take incoming client art and make it 100% print-ready — layout, vectorizing, color, bleeds, scaling, the works Light graphic design when needed, but mostly clean layout and bulletproof file prep Choose the right material for every job — cast vinyl, calendared vinyl, laminates, coroplast, foamcore, PVC, Sintra, acrylic, mesh, fabric, floor graphics — and know why Run files through RIP software and send to our HP 730W Latex, Mimaki UCJV330-160, cutters, plotters, and CNC Talk directly with clients about their artwork, expectations, and final look Brief in-house production staff on how each job should print and finish Brief installers on the finished product, the substrate, and the install considerations — so what leaves the shop installs the way you intended Own the job from the moment the file lands in your inbox to the moment it ships out the door What We're Looking For: Absolute expert in Adobe Illustrator — not "I use it sometimes," but "I dream in vectors" Deep knowledge of vinyl and substrates — you know which vinyl goes on a curved wall vs. a vehicle vs. a floor, and which substrate makes sense for indoor vs. outdoor, short-run vs. long-run Hands-on experience with RIP software — Fiery, SignLab, Raster 7, or equivalents Solid understanding of large format printing, lamination, cutting, and finishing Production background in the sign/graphics industry — you've been around printers, plotters, and CNCs and know how a file behaves on each Sharp eye for detail — if a logo's off by 0.5mm, it bugs you Strong communicator — you can talk to a creative director, a printer operator, and an installer in the same hour and keep everyone on the same page Cool under pressure — event graphics have hard deadlines, and you hit them Why Join Us: Work on graphics seen by millions at trade shows, premieres, retail activations, and brand launches Top-tier equipment, a shop that runs like a machine, and a team that knows what they're doing 35 years in the game — stable, growing, and not slowing down Real growth path — Production Specialists here become production leads and managers Competitive pay based on experience If you know your way around Illustrator, vinyl, and a print floor — and you want your work on the walls of the biggest brand events in the country — send us your resume and a few samples of jobs you've prepped and produced. Careers@nationalsign.ca

What you’ll do

Prepare client artwork for production by handling layout, vectorization, color, bleeds, scaling, and file setup, and select appropriate materials and finishes for each job. Manage jobs from artwork intake through printing and finishing to shipment, coordinating with clients, production staff, and installers to ensure the final product meets expectations.

Requirements

Candidates should have expert-level Adobe Illustrator skills, strong knowledge of vinyl and substrates, and hands-on experience with RIP software and large-format printing, lamination, cutting, and finishing. Sign or graphics production experience, meticulous attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to meet hard deadlines are required.

Listed skills

• Adobe Illustrator · Preferred
• Attention to detail · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Adobe Illustrator
• Vector Artwork Preparation
• Print-Ready File Preparation
• Large-Format Printing
• RIP Software
• Vinyl and Substrate Selection
• Color Management
• Lamination
• Cutting and Finishing
• Plotter and CNC Operations
• Client Communication
• Production Coordination
• Installation Briefing
• Attention to Detail
• Deadline Management

Job areas

• Manufacturing
• Creative & Media
• Art & Design