Separation Artist for Screen Printing

Separation Artist for Screen Printing
Duration: approx 6-12 months
40 hours/week
Hybrid :Onsite in Tampa Tue-Thur, WFH Mon and Fri
Pay: $24/hr
Industry: Apparel

JOB SUMMARY:
The Separations Artist is responsible for preparing, correcting, and optimizing production-ready color separations for licensed apparel and related products. This role ensures artwork meets print method, manufacturing, and licensor requirements while maintaining accuracy, efficiency, and consistency across high-volume seasonal programs. The Separations Artist plays a critical role in protecting print quality, reducing downstream errors, and supporting on-time production.

GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Create, edit, and finalize color separations for screen print, digital, and specialty print methods (including simulated process, spot color, and index where applicable).
• Ensure separations adhere to approved art, brand standards, and licensor guidelines (e.g., league rules, trademarks, color accuracy).
• Prepare production-ready files with correct line weights, trapping, underbases, overprints, halftones, and print callouts.
• Review incoming artwork for technical risks and proactively flag issues related to printability, color count, fabric type, or press limitations.
• Partner closely with Production Art, Manufacturing Art, Sampling, and vendors to troubleshoot print challenges and resolve issues quickly.
• Support sampling, pre-production, and bulk production timelines by meeting SLA and seasonal deadlines.
• Maintain consistency and accuracy across multiple styles, SKUs, and seasonal refreshes.
• Update or adjust separations based on revisions, corrections, or licensor feedback.
• Follow established workflows, naming conventions, and file management standards.
• Contribute to process improvements that reduce rework, errors, and production delays.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• 3+ years of professional experience in color separations for apparel or related print manufacturing.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of screen-print production, inks, underbases, trapping, halftones, and fabric considerations.
• Experience supporting high-volume, fast-paced production environments.
• High attention to detail with strong quality control instincts.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting tight deadlines.
• Clear communicator with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
• Working knowledge of licensed or branded product workflows preferred.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Experience with sports licensing (NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, etc.).
• Familiarity with overseas manufacturing and vendor handoff requirements.
• Knowledge of digital print, hybrid print methods, or specialty inks.
• Experience working within PLM or workflow management systems.
• Accuracy and quality of separations (reduction in print errors and rework).
• On-time delivery aligned to seasonal calendars.
• Adherence to licensor and brand standards.
• Effective collaboration with cross-functional partners.
• Continuous improvement contributions to workflow efficiency.