Epac -3 Flashcards
Tell me about yourself.
- Production Planner & Production Artist with a background in design, pre-press, and project management.
- 8 years of industry experience in printing and graphic communications.
- Skilled in pre-press, proofing, and production setup to ensure quality prints.
- Excited about how ePac’s digital printing & sustainability focus aligns with my background.
Why Do You Want to Work at ePac Flexible Packaging?
- ePac started in Madison, WI in 2016 and expanded globally.
- Leader in digital flexible packaging & sustainability.
- Aligns with my pre-press & design background.
- I’m excited to contribute to high-quality, sustainable packaging solutions.
Why Should We Hire You?
- Strong pre-press & printing background.
- Attention to detail & problem-solving skills.
- Passion for sustainable and digital packaging.
- Ability to adapt and learn quickly in fast-paced environments.
Tell Me About a Time You Had a Disagreement With a Coworker
- Situation: Junior designer set up a file incorrectly (cropping & safety area issues).
- Task: Needed to fix the setup to ensure proper print quality.
- Action: Explained the mistake, demonstrated the correct approach.
- Result: She understood, we fixed the file, and the final product turned out perfect.
Can You Describe a Time You Had to Learn a New Process or Technology Quickly?
- Situation: Had to set up files for fabrics & warps with no training.
- Task: Learn the process quickly to avoid production delays.
- Action: Researched best practices, asked for feedback, self-trained on the job.
- Result: Successfully completed projects & improved efficiency.
What Do You Know About Sustainability in Packaging?
- Uses eco-friendly materials to reduce waste.
- Flexible packaging reduces carbon footprint.
- Digital printing = less waste & lower energy consumption.
- ePac helps brands create recyclable & sustainable packaging.
Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
- Advancing in packaging design & pre-press.
- Gaining deeper expertise in digital & sustainable printing.
- Continuing to grow with a company like ePac.
What steps are involved in the prepress process?
File preparation, color correction, proofing, imposition, and creating the plates for printing.
How do you handle a file that has color discrepancies in the prepress stage?
I would evaluate the file in the correct color space (CMYK), adjust using color management tools, and proof it to ensure color consistency.
How would you manage a situation where a job requires last-minute changes, and the press is already set up?
Communicate with the team about the impact, adjust the file quickly if possible, and decide whether to re-run the job or adapt the setup to accommodate the changes.
What steps do you take to ensure a print file is ready for production?
Review for resolution, color accuracy, bleed, crop marks, and correct file formats. Conduct a soft proof before the final output.
How do you handle communication between the design team and production when issues arise?
- communicate clearly
- provide technical support
- make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to expectations and deadlines.
How do you ensure printing efficiency while maintaining high-quality output?
-Prepare files correctly – Ensure resolution, color mode, and bleed are accurate.
-Use the right materials – Choose appropriate substrates to minimize errors.
-Set proper press settings – Adjust speed, ink, and pressure for balance.
-Regular maintenance – Keep equipment in good condition to avoid downtime.
-Monitor during printing – Perform quality checks throughout the process.
Tell me about Rydin and your daily tasks.
- Production Planner & Production Artist—balanced planning with hands-on design work.
- Assisted with pre-press setup, proofing, and troubleshooting print files.
- Helped train a junior designer on proper file preparation.
- Self-trained in variable data & SmartStream to improve efficiency.
Tell me about Moss and your daily tasks.
- Worked in pre-press and proofing to ensure files were print-ready.
- Reviewed, corrected, and prepped artwork for production.
- Ensured color accuracy, layout compliance, and proper file setup.
- Communicated with customers & internal teams for quality control.
What Made You Interested in This Job?
- Aligns with my background in pre-press, printing, and design.
- ePac’s focus on digital printing & sustainability excites me.
- Offers the chance to work with innovative packaging solutions.
Tell me about a time you had to explain complex printing info to a customer.
- Situation: A customer didn’t understand resolution & print quality.
- Task: Explain why their image looked pixelated at large sizes.
- Action: Shared my screen, showed 100% zoom vs. scaled-up view. Explained how higher resolution = better print quality.
- Result: Customer understood and provided a higher-quality image.
Tell me about a time you had to troubleshoot a file that wouldn’t print.
- Situation: A print file was not ripping correctly.
- Task: Find the issue and fix it quickly.
- Action: Checked for missing fonts, RGB images, and transparency issues. Fixed color mode and re-exported.
- Result: The file printed correctly, avoiding production delays.
How do you handle last-minute changes or rush jobs?
- Prioritize urgent tasks while maintaining accuracy.
- Double-check changes before sending to production.
- Communicate with the team to avoid mistakes.
- Example: Quickly adjusted a cling design an hour before print time.
Describe a time you worked closely with press operators.
- Collaborated to troubleshoot drop shadows disappearing.
- Adjusted files to match color expectations.
- Ensured press-ready PDFs met print specs.
Can you give an example of learning new software quickly?
- Self-taught SmartStream to improve write up.
- Learned fabric & warp setup on the fly at Moss.
- Self-taught production artist role without formal training at rydin.
Walk me through how you prepare a file for digital printing.
- Convert RGB to CMYK.
- Check resolution (300dpi).
- Outline fonts, expand strokes. & effects
- Ensure bleed & safety margins.
- Save in PDF/X-1a or print-ready format.
How do you ensure color accuracy for print?
- Use CMYK or Pantone (not RGB).
- Check ICC profiles & spectrophotometer readings. (have dont this)
- Compare with color swatches & proofs. (have dont this)
- Run test prints & adjust if needed.
What do you know about HP Indigo presses?
- ElectroInk technology = offset-like quality.
- Variable data capabilities for personalized prints.
- Strong color accuracy & repeatability.
- Ideal for short runs & flexible packaging.