Print & Production Designer

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Job Title: Print & Production Designer

Company: Netflorist

Location: Midrand

Job Purpose

The R&D Print & Production Designer is responsible for transforming creative and product concepts into production-ready, commercially viable and repeatable solutions.

Working closely with Product Developers, Suppliers, Production, Marketing and Creative, the role combines graphic design, print production, prototyping and technical problem-solving to develop products, packaging, printed elements and production solutions that can be manufactured efficiently, consistently and cost-effectively.

The role bridges the gap between creative design and physical production by assessing production feasibility, developing artwork and production files, creating die-lines, templates and prototypes, testing materials and production methods, establishing specifications and supporting accurate costing.

The R&D Print & Production Designer is also responsible for ensuring that new products and production processes are successfully implemented by Production through clear technical documentation, production samples, standardised processes and training.

The role drives continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve production methods, reduce waste, improve quality and introduce new materials, technologies and production capabilities.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. Creative & Production Feasibility

Description: Translate creative concepts into practical production solutions.

• Review Product Development and Creative briefs to assess production feasibility.

• Identify the materials, printing processes, machinery, equipment and production techniques required to produce concepts.

• Assess whether existing production capabilities can achieve the required design, quality and finish.

• Recommend design changes where required to improve manufacturability, efficiency or cost without compromising the customer experience.

• Identify potential production challenges early in the development process.

• Work closely with Product Developers and Creative to ensure designs are technically achievable.

• Research alternative production methods, materials and finishes where required.

2. Graphic Design & Print Production

Description: Develop production-ready artwork and technical files for products and printed components.

• Create and adapt artwork for production across a range of products, packaging and printed materials.

• Prepare print-ready artwork and ensure files meet production requirements.

• Create and maintain die-lines, templates, cutting guides, print specifications and production layouts.

• Apply knowledge of print processes including digital, lithographic, large-format, sublimation, vinyl, laser cutting, engraving and other relevant technologies.

• Specify appropriate substrates, materials, finishes, inks and production techniques.

• Check artwork for technical accuracy before production.

• Manage colour, dimensions, bleed, resolution, finishing requirements and other pre-press requirements.

• Work with printers and suppliers to resolve technical artwork and production issues.

• Develop artwork standards and templates that improve production consistency.

3. Prototyping & Product Development

Description: Develop physical prototypes and samples to validate product concepts before production.

• Produce prototypes and development samples using appropriate materials and production techniques.

• Test different materials, substrates, finishes and construction methods.

• Develop and refine designs based on testing and production feedback.

• Create production-quality samples for Product Development, Marketing, Photography and supplier approval.

• Compare alternative production methods and recommend the most effective solution.

• Document test results, design changes and production requirements.

• Work collaboratively with Product Developers to move concepts from initial brief through to production approval.

4. Production Process Development

Description: Develop practical, repeatable production methods for new and existing products.

• Develop production methods for new products, printed components and product enhancements.

• Determine the most efficient sequence of production steps.

• Develop templates, jigs, guides, cutting layouts and other production aids where required.

• Standardise production methods to improve consistency and reduce variation.

• Identify opportunities to simplify production and reduce unnecessary manual processes.

• Test and refine production processes before implementation.

• Support the introduction of new production techniques, equipment and technologies.

• Work with Production to identify and resolve practical manufacturing challenges.

5. Product Costing & Commercial Feasibility

Description: Support the development of commercially viable products and production solutions.

• Support Product Developers with accurate production costing.

• Calculate or provide inputs for material usage, print costs, labour, machine time, consumables, wastage and finishing.

• Compare alternative production methods and materials based on cost and quality.

• Identify opportunities to reduce material usage, production time and waste.

• Evaluate the commercial impact of design and production decisions.

• Maintain accurate technical and costing information for developed products.

6. Production Readiness & Implementation

Description: Ensure products and production processes are fully prepared before being released to Production.

• Confirm that final artwork, templates, samples, specifications and production requirements are complete before launch.

• Prepare production-ready files and technical documentation.

• Develop SOPs, work instructions, visual guides and production specifications.

• Define quality standards and acceptable production tolerances.

• Validate production methods through trial or first production runs.

• Support Production during the implementation of new products.

• Identify and resolve technical issues during initial production.

• Confirm that products can be produced consistently to the approved quality standard.

7. Training & Knowledge Transfer

Description: Equip Production teams with the knowledge and tools required to manufacture products correctly.

• Develop visual training materials and production guides.

• Create clear work instructions using photographs, diagrams and examples where appropriate.

• Train Production teams on new products, production techniques, equipment and quality requirements.

• Demonstrate correct production methods and finishing techniques.

• Support Production during the initial rollout of new products.

• Provide ongoing technical support when production issues arise.

• Maintain current production documentation and training material.

8. Quality & Continuous Improvement

Description: Improve product quality, production efficiency and consistency.

• Investigate recurring production and quality issues.

• Identify root causes and recommend practical solutions.

• Test alternative materials, artwork approaches and production methods.

• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, rework and production time.

• Improve product consistency through better templates, specifications and processes.

• Review production feedback and incorporate learnings into future product development.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Product Development and Production.

9. Materials, Technology & Production Innovation

Description: Identify new materials, technologies and production capabilities that can create product and commercial opportunities.

• Research new printing technologies, materials, substrates, finishes and production techniques.

• Stay informed about developments in graphic production, digital printing, laser cutting, engraving, sublimation, cutting and other relevant technologies.

• Identify new production capabilities that could expand the company's product offering.

• Test new materials and technologies for potential commercial application.

• Work with suppliers to understand new capabilities and production opportunities.

• Recommend new equipment, technology or production methods where there is a clear business benefit.

• Build and maintain knowledge of available internal and external production capabilities.

10. Technical Asset & Sample Management

Description: Maintain accurate and accessible technical resources supporting Product Development and Production.

• Maintain organised records of approved samples, prototypes, artwork, die-lines, templates and production files.

• Ensure files are correctly named, version controlled and stored.

• Maintain approved master artwork and production templates.

• Maintain a library of approved materials, substrates, finishes and production references.

• Ensure current production specifications are easily accessible to relevant teams.

• Manage the technical archive of developed products and production solutions.

11. Supplier & Production Collaboration

Description: Work closely with internal and external production partners to achieve the required product outcome.

• Liaise with printers, manufacturers and suppliers regarding artwork, materials, production methods and technical specifications.

• Brief suppliers clearly on production requirements.

• Review and approve samples against agreed specifications.

• Troubleshoot technical production issues with suppliers.

• Evaluate supplier capabilities and recommend suitable production solutions.

• Support Product Developers in evaluating new suppliers and production capabilities.

• Build strong working relationships with suppliers that encourage innovation and problem-solving.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

• Graphic Design qualification or equivalent practical experience.

• Minimum of 2-3 years' experience in Graphic Design

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.

• Strong understanding of print production and pre-press requirements.

• Experience preparing production-ready artwork.

• Strong understanding of die-lines, templates, cutting paths, print specifications and finishing requirements.

• Practical understanding of different printing and production processes.

• Ability to work with physical materials and develop prototypes/samples.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong technical and problem-solving ability.

• Ability to understand how a design will translate from screen to physical production.

• Ability to work collaboratively with Creative, Product Development, suppliers and Production.

• Strong organisational and file-management skills.

Advantageous

• Experience in product development or packaging development.

• Experience working with manufacturing or production machinery.

• Experience with laser cutting, engraving, vinyl cutting, sublimation, digital printing or similar technologies.

• Experience developing jigs, templates or production aids.

• CAD or basic 3D design experience.

• Experience with costing and production calculations.

• Experience writing SOPs and production instructions.

• Experience training production teams.

• Experience working with physical prototypes and samples.

• Experience in a fast-paced e-commerce, gifting, retail or manufacturing environment.

Key Personal Attributes

• Creative problem solver -- able to find practical ways to turn ideas into physical products.

• Technically minded -- interested in understanding how things are made and how they can be improved.

• Hands-on -- comfortable testing, prototyping and working directly with materials and production processes.

• Detail-oriented -- understands that small artwork or production errors can have significant commercial consequences.

• Commercially aware -- considers cost, efficiency, scalability and customer value when making design decisions.

• Collaborative -- able to work effectively with Creative, Product Development, Production and suppliers.

• Curious and innovative -- actively investigates new technologies, materials and production methods.

• Strong communicator -- able to translate creative concepts into clear technical instructions.

• Structured and organised -- maintains accurate files, specifications, samples and documentation.

Role Outcome

The successful candidate will ensure that good ideas become good products that can actually be produced.

They will provide the technical and creative bridge between Product Development, Graphic Design, Suppliers and Production, ensuring that products are visually compelling, technically feasible, commercially viable and consistently manufactured.