Job Title: Pre-Press / Pre-Production Artist & QC Coordinator

Department: Production

Location: Toronto, ON (On-Site)

Reports to: Director of Production

About Avid Apparel

Avid Apparel is Canada's leading premium custom apparel manufacturer and branding partner. We specialize in screen printing, embroidery, garment development, and full-package production services. Our team thrives on creativity, collaboration, and precision — and we're looking for a detail-driven Pre-Press / Pre-Production Artist & QC Coordinator to join our growing Production Department.

About the Role

This hybrid role bridges technical pre-press expertise with hands-on quality control coordination. You'll be responsible for preparing all production artwork for screen and digital printing — ensuring designs are fully vetted, accurately separated, and production-ready. You'll also serve as a vital link between the art department, screen printers, and client-facing teams to ensure every final print is top-tier in quality and consistency.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Press & File Prep

• Review all incoming artwork for production accuracy and quality
• Create expert-level spot colour separations for screen printing
• Handle simulated process separations (general knowledge is good, knowledge to sep is a bonus)
• Ensure artwork aligns with press specs including mesh counts, halftones, and registration
• Prepare print-ready files using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Maintain consistent file naming, archiving, and layer structure across all orders
• Communicate directly with the design team on required file fixes or production notes
• Interdepartmental Coordination
• Collaborate daily with the Design, Sales, Production, and Printing departments
• Coordinate approvals through internal approval process
• Identify artwork or production challenges early and suggest practical solutions
• Act as an expert advisor on specialty inks (puff, HD, metallic, etc.) and apparel substrates

Quality Control (QC)

• Approve strike-offs and first-prints at the press to ensure accurate reproduction
• Ensure colour fidelity to proofs (Pantone matching) and correct ink application
• Compare final outputs against client-approved mockups and flag any issues
• Liaise with screen printers during press checks to resolve issues in real time
• Document and track QC issues to support process improvements

Qualifications

• 5+ years of pre-press or screen print production experience (apparel industry preferred)
• Advanced Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills (mandatory)
• Deep understanding of screen printing processes, mesh counts, and ink behaviour
• Experience with simulated process and complex colour separations
• Strong organizational skills and comfort managing tight deadlines
• Proactive communicator with a collaborative, solutions-first mindset
• Bonus: Familiarity with Slack, Monday.com, Dropbox, and digital production workflows
• Bonus: Experience with embroidery digitizing or knowledge of embroidery workflows

You're a great fit if you…

• Adaptable and unflappable: You can pivot quickly, stay calm under pressure, and maintain momentum even when timelines are tight or communication styles clash. Your focus is on results.
• Are obsessive about clean files and proper separations
• Love solving production puzzles under pressure
• Can spot a registration issue from across the room
• Know what puff ink should look like (and what it shouldn't)
• Get satisfaction from seeing a job go from screen to shirt flawlessly
• Flexible team player, can juggle multiple moving parts with grace and humour.

The Avid Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We consider all applicants regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, and Indigenous status. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.