Graphic Designer / Traffic Sign Production Specialist
Position Overview:
We are seeking a detail-oriented, highly organized Graphic Designer / Traffic Sign Production Specialist to join our manufacturing team. This role bridges the gap between digital artwork creation and physical fabrication. You will be responsible for creating vector graphics that strictly adhere to federal, state, and local highway standards, as well as setting up artwork files for production machinery (large-format digital printers, vinyl plotters, flatbed cutters).
Key Responsibilities
1. Graphic Design & Prepress
Design, layout, and recreate regulatory, warning, guide, construction, and custom municipal traffic signs using Adobe Creative Suite (primarily Adobe Illustrator).
Ensure all designs strictly comply with state DOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) guidelines (including proper fonts, spacing, sizing, retroreflective sheeting specs, and color codes).
Prepare production-ready vector files (nesting, plotting cut lines, adding bleeds, color management/CMYK mapping, and scaling to 1:1 ratio).
Create realistic digital proofs, site mockups, and scale drawings for municipal, commercial, and private clients for approval.
2. Sign Production & Fabrication
Send approved artwork to production equipment (RIP software, large-format inkjet/latex printers, vinyl cutters, and plotters).
Perform hands-on sign assembly: vinyl weeding, taping/masking, hand and roll-laminating (applying protective UV/anti-graffiti films and retroreflective sheeting), and mounting graphics to aluminum, EC film, or composite substrates.
Safely operate sign-making machinery such as metal shears, corner rounders, hole punches, laminators.
3. Quality Control & Inventory Support
Inspect incoming graphics and finished signs to ensure color accuracy, crisp line detail, proper reflectivity, and defect-free lamination.
Perform basic routine maintenance and calibration on printers, cutters, and laminators.
Maintain accurate file archives, project logs, and inventory levels for raw materials (reflective sheeting, vinyl rolls, aluminum blanks, inks).
Qualifications & Requirements
Experience: 2+ years of professional graphic design experience, preferably in a sign shop, commercial print shop, or industrial manufacturing environment.
Software Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Flexisign.
Industry Standards: Basic or working knowledge of MUTCD traffic sign standards, standard highway fonts (Highway Gothic, Clearview), and sheeting types (Engineering Grade, High-Intensity Prismatic, Diamond Grade) is highly preferred.
Mechanical Aptitude: Hands-on experience with production tools, laminators, plotters, and measuring equipment.
Attention to Detail: Exceptional eye for typography, alignment, color matching, and physical quality standards.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. (aluminum sheets, rolls of vinyl/laminate).
Willingness to spend time moving between a desk environment and an active manufacturing shop floor.
Ability to stand, bend, and perform repetitive manual tasks (weeding vinyl, laminating, trimming) for extended periods.