Studio Imaging / Retouching Artist - Job Description

If your agency has a studio, their production studio may have a variety of production specialists.

While this job description is for an imaging artist / retoucher. Most studio artists will also have some additional base level or advanced interactive design or html skills.

Imaging Artist / Retoucher. Provides image retouching, color correction, or compositing on assigned projects. May also provide illustrations or low res comping. Duties also include prepress and studio support related projects.

Responsibilities: 

• Scans and retouches all artwork according to the creative and production specifications.
• Works with the Studio Manager, Production Manager or Production Staff and assigned AD/CD’s to achieve desired results.
• In some agencies, In conjunction with SM, PM & PD, works with vendors to coordinate, scans, digital output, outside color correction and outside retouching.
• Advises creative on best way to achieve approved concept via scan/illustration/scanning/retouching/pre-press techniques.
• Prepares proofs (black and white laser output or specified color output such as Epsons).
• Discusses final art with assigned Art Director/CD/PM for each project.
• Confirms all production deadlines with Studio Manager/Traffic Manager.
• Acts as production artist where necessary or specifically requested to do so.
• Discusses outside production elements required for job with various vendors in conjunction with TM/PM/CD.
• Reviews all work for errors/omissions with Studio Manager prior to turning in work for Creative/AE/Client approval.
• Makes all requested changes/corrections promptly and correctly.
• Preflights, check all artwork for correct press or usage.
• Act as Technical advisor to junior staff.
• May be called upon to maintain production/pre-press related computer equipment, including but not limited to scanning equipment, output devices, servers, web related software, software and all related hardware.
• Evaluate and scan original artwork to achieve acceptable reproduction quality output.
• Work with the Studio Manager in developing color calibration techniques that produce consistent color output from scanner to monitor to output device.

Studio Print Production Artist - Job Description

This is a rather old skool job description, as most production artists now have additional skills in interactive.

Responsible for producing mechanicals from layout or spec sheets for final production. Lead responsibility for producing files for publication and press. Produces materials for creative presentations, new business and internal projects as needed. Create and ensure the delivery of correctly prepared, complete, accurate artwork to printers and manufacturers.

Responsibilities: 

• Lead production artist in the final production of all prepress files. 
• Trains and reviews prepress file preparation with other studio artists to maintain accurate and consistent files.
• Acts as main studio person to review, monitor and maintain all studio output devices.
• Review assignments directly with the Studio supervisor to determine the best method of execution.
• Produce computer mechanicals based on the creative concept layout and maintain the creative integrity of the original concept. 
• Review prepress file specifications prior to producing files and maintain consistent file preparation suitable for outputting by publications or vendors.
• Assist the studio manager in developing methods to create and maintain consistent studio file preparation.
• Work with the Studio Manager in developing color calibration techniques that produce consistent file results between the comp, layout and final mechanical.
• Track usage & maintenance of all studio devices; computers, printers, scanners and digital cameras, etc.
• Maintain a clean studio and surrounding environment. 
• Work with staff to produce reproduction artwork for design, advertising, and other projects.
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of files that are created or sent to print publications or vendors.
• Communicate as necessary with studio or project manager  to eliminate and prevent errors and problems. 
• Check artwork for completeness and assure adherence to standards. 
• Monitor art preparation guidelines. Recommend technical and procedural updates and changes as needed. 
• Assist in the collection and distribution of assets for preparation of production artwork as necessary.
• Assist in organizing, monitoring, archiving, and maintaining files on the server.

Studio Print Production Artist - Job Description #2

Again, another old skool print production artist job description, which also includes preparing files for print. Responsible for producing mechanicals from layout or spec sheets for final production. Produces materials for creative presentations, new business and internal projects. Produces prepress files, such as pdf/x1-a files for publications.  Create and ensure the delivery of correctly prepared, complete, accurate artwork to printers and manufacturers.

Responsibilities: 

• Review assignments directly with the Studio supervisor to determine the best method of execution.
• Produce computer mechanicals based on the creative concept layout and maintain the creative integrity of the original concept. 
• Review prepress file specifications prior to producing files and maintain consistent file preparation suitable for outputting by publications or vendors.
• Assist the studio manager in developing methods to create and maintain consistent studio file preparation.
• Produce consistent file results between the comp, layout and final mechanical.
• Track usage & maintenance of all studio devices; computers, printers, scanners and digital cameras, etc.
• Maintain a clean studio and surrounding environment. 
• Work with staff to produce reproduction artwork for design, advertising, and other projects.
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of files that are created or sent to print publications or vendors.
• Communicate as necessary with studio or project manager  to eliminate and prevent errors and problems 
• Check artwork for completeness and assure adherence to standards 
• Monitor art preparation guidelines. Recommend technical and procedural updates and changes as needed 
• Assist in the collection and distribution of assets for preparation of production artwork as necessary
• Assist in organizing, monitoring, archiving, and maintaining files on the server 

The Old Studio Manager - Job Description

Lastly, the old skool print studio manager (email me for updates of all these.)

The Studio Manager acts as the main studio point person for all studio production materials. They manage the creation of all studio work and supervise other production and/or freelance artists.  Small agencies can have one studio manager, or multiple studio managers broken down by serving individual clients. Studios can also be broken up into, comping, prepress & production and new business. Today’s studio’s are traditionally profit centers for the agency producing prepress materials in-house and charging for the work. Studios also may incorporate additional services such as retouching or interactive work.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all production materials released from the agency
• Supervise the creation of all art mechanicals for assigned clients, through comp to final disk release for the agency.
• Track all misc. studio requests for each assigned client.
• Act as lead studio production artist and quality control person for all assigned projects.
• Manage studio production artists and freelancers in completion of the individual assignments.
• Schedule daily studio workload, manage work changes.
• Work with project managers/production staff to accomplish all internal studio work.
• Provide design and new business support as needed.
• Track usage & maintenance of all studio devices; computers, printers, scanners and digital cameras, etc.
• Maintain a clean studio and surrounding environment. 
• Estimate and invoice studio services charges for assigned clients (i.e. color copies, poster prints, discs, cd-roms, new business materials, etc.).
• Review studio/production time schedules and estimates where needed. Track and train all assistant and freelance studio staff in all relevant skill areas.
• Contact, hire & supervise all agency studio freelancers for assigned projects (in-house/outside). 
• Maintain agency archiving and filing systems.
• Track supply inventories for studio - work with agency purchaser for all consumables.

Looking for Downloadable Templates?

Although you should talk to your production person about the specs of a particular project, there may be times that you need quick sizes to get the design process going. Here are a few quick links to some downloadable templates,

CD-Rom Templates and Packaging,

Templates on Discmakers
Templates on DCA Media Solutions Website

Folders and binders,

Templates on Print Promotions

Outdoor,

Kubin

Direct Mail,

US Postal Service
or
USPS Direct Mail Templates

Various Printed Materials,

Templates on PS Print

Always consult with your production manager or printer before creating your mechanical using these templates, as they may have other template options available directly from the vendor. In the agency’s that I’ve worked in, we keep a set of common templates on the server where everyone can pick them up and utilize them.