DTP Operator at Sun International

Job Purpose

• Responsible for evaluating, preparing page layouts, formatting, customising, “PDF’ing”, delivery and back up of custom high-end graphics, bespoke design requests and creative artwork for the business unit, with the aim of ensuring final material is 100% technically correct and ready for print or publishing, in line with Company Corporate Identity standards. Artwork deliverables may include a range of bespoke covers, templates, logos, invites, newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures and art files.

Key Performance Areas

Desktop Publishing

• Understand the brief and ensure that all information and files are gathered
• Co-ordinate planning to ensure deadlines are met and prioritise workflow
• Collaborate with Fusion designers and writers to customise artwork or text
• Find and edit graphics, such as photographs or illustrations
• Verify source files and fonts and the conversion of files for print

Format and PDF documentation and artwork and ensure this is checked 100% to technical specs, including:

• place and resize localized screen dumps and art files, ·
• generate indexes and tables of contents
• selecting formatting, such as the size and style of type, column width and spacing
• selecting and checking colours
• scanning and editing photographs and other images
• producing graphics such as diagrams, charts and tables
• re-sizing design elements to fit the page
• making sure images are positioned near the relevant portion of text
• making sure that each page, and the document as a whole, is uncluttered and well balanced
• using electronic publishing technologies, such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to convert documents to an internet-ready format
• Be aware and have full understanding of cost implications and sense of responsibility towards budget restrictions
• Finalize formatted documents for printing or electronic publication
• Co-ordinate back up work and files correctly
• Provide feedback to management

Administration Support

• Quality assure artwork produced against CI standards; as well as check proofs, or preliminary layouts, for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors and make necessary corrections
• Close out any requests and any related admin with relevant stakeholders
• Maintain and follow best practices for versioning control, naming convention and organization of graphic files.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaises directly with the Fusion creative team and Traffic/Production Manager to determine deadlines, job instructions and design requirements to ensure timeous delivery in line with agreed SLA
• Maintain relationships with key stakeholders (including Unit and Group Marketing management) by promptly resolving queries; requests
• Report and provide feedback to management on progress and challenges

Job Requirements

Education

• Grade 12
• Diploma in graphic design, graphic arts, or graphic communications or equivalent
• Presentation of an artistic portfolio 

Experience

• 3 years’ experience in DTP
• Experience using Creative Suite (including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) 

Skills and Knowledge

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite i.e. Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Technical specs, which would include the following:

• Size - Bleed, trim, type and image area, die traces & die lines.
• Colour - CMYK, RGB, black & white, spot colour, varnish, overprinting,knocking out, press compensation.
• Format - Jpeg, tiff, pdf, open files, etc.
• Resolution - Dpi and scale.
• Font - supplied or converted.
• Images and logo - format, size, resolution, colour.
• Extensive knowledge on retouching.
• An extensive knowledge of the Repro profession regarding both litho& digital processes
• Computer literacy – MS Office
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills
• Be able to organize visual elements.
• Conceptualising
• Deciding
• Collecting information
• Developing stakeholder relationships
• Advanced Checking / Attention to detail
• Emotional maturity
• Enthusiastic, organized, flexible with the ability to operate on a wide range of topics and projects at one time
• Team player but able to work independently