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Print Production Specialist
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Freelance Print Production Specialist – Press Pass
Project: 2026 Gift Guide – Major UK Retailer
Contract: Freelance / Short-Term Assignment
Location: On-site at print production facilities in Roche, York, and Leicester
Dates: September 2026 – selected press dates only; attendance requirements to be confirmed
Overview
A major UK retailer is looking for an experienced Freelance Print Production Specialist / Press Pass Representative to oversee print quality during production of its 2026 Gift Guide.
You’ll act as the retailer’s representative on-site at the printer, reviewing live print output, identifying quality issues, and providing final approval before production runs proceed.
This is a specialist freelance assignment suited to someone with significant experience in commercial print production, press passing, colour management, and high-volume catalogues or publications.
Key Responsibilities
- Attend required press passes at print production facilities.
- Review live printed sheets against approved proofs and specifications.
- Assess colour accuracy, image reproduction, registration, and consistency.
- Approve or reject print output before full production runs.
- Identify quality issues and work directly with press operators to resolve them.
- Monitor print consistency throughout production.
- Review finishing including folding, trimming, binding, varnishes, foiling, and other premium finishes.
- Ensure the finished publication meets premium retail quality standards.
- Provide clear feedback and brief post-production reports where required.
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Essential Experience
- 5–10+ years' experience in commercial print production.
- Significant experience attending or leading press passes.
- Strong background in catalogues, magazines, brochures, or retail publications.
- Experience with high-volume commercial print runs.
- Confident making final quality and sign-off decisions on press.
- Excellent understanding of colour management, CMYK reproduction, proofing, and print tolerances.
- Strong knowledge of lithographic and digital print processes.
- Experience assessing finishing and binding quality.
- Comfortable working directly with printers and production teams in a pressroom environment.
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Ideal Background
- Experience producing retail catalogues, seasonal gift guides, or other premium publications for major brands or retailers would be particularly valuable.
- Previous experience working with large-scale commercial print suppliers is also desirable.
Indicative Production Dates
You will not be required for every date. Exact attendance will be confirmed as soon as possible.
- 9 September – Cover printing, Roche
- 13 September – Insert printing, Roche
- 16 September – 64pp text, York
- 21 September – 24pp text, York
- 21–22 September – 48pp text, York
- From 29 September – Binding, Leicester
About You
You’ll be highly experienced in a pressroom environment, with an exceptional eye for colour, detail, and print quality. You’ll be calm and decisive under pressure, technically credible with print teams, and comfortable acting as the client's final quality representative during production.
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