Adobe Illustrator Label Expert (Packaging/Prepress) — Remote — Start ASAP

About the role
We’re hiring an Adobe Illustrator expert specialized in labels/packaging to convert an existing design from a 3D mockup into a print-ready, vector-based layout. Start immediately.

Key responsibilities

Rebuild the provided label/artwork as clean vectors in Adobe Illustrator (no redesign; 1:1 match to the reference).

Create/align to the printer’s dieline (or draw a precise dieline if not provided), incl. 3 mm bleed and safe margins.

Set up print-ready layers: Artwork, DIE_CUT (spot), FOIL/Spot (e.g., FOIL_COPPER), white ink (if needed), with correct overprint.

Prepare CMYK colors (Pantone where required), apply trapping where appropriate, ensure PDF/X (X-1a or X-4) compliance.

Vectorize raster elements where feasible (logos, headlines) and tidy Image Trace results (nodes, joins, path simplification).

Deliver AI (editable) + Press PDF + packaged assets (links/fonts) and a quick preflight report (bleed, spots, overprint).

Communicate with the printer to pass technical checks (spot names, dieline visibility, overprint, registration, marks).

Must-have

3+ years packaging/label experience with Adobe Illustrator.

Proven work with dielines, spot colors, overprint, trapping, PDF/X, and press delivery.

Strong typography (outlining fonts, kerning, paragraph styles) and color management (CMYK/Pantone).

Can match a reference pixel-accurately without redesigning.

Good written English and reliable, proactive communication.

Nice to have

Knowledge of stand-up pouch / flexible packaging.

Experience producing foil/emboss/white ink layers and varnish masks.

Basic Photoshop for texture cleanup (kept raster, masked under vector).

Deliverables

.AI (layered, editable), PDF/X (with bleed & printer marks), packaged folder.

Layers: ARTWORK, DIE_CUT (spot, overprint), FOIL_* (spot, overprint), WHITE (if used).

Color: CMYK (specify Pantone if requested).

Short preflight checklist confirming: bleed, safe zone, spot naming, overprint, resolution of any placed images, fonts outlined.

Start & availability

Start: ASAP.

Please confirm daily overlap of at least 2–4 hours with Europe/Berlin time.

How to apply (please follow exactly)

Subject: “AI Label Expert – [Your Name]”

Share 3 packaging/label samples (vector work) + one PDF/X you delivered to print.

Briefly describe your prepress steps for: dieline, bleed, spot layers, overprint, PDF/X export.

State your rate (hourly or fixed) and earliest start.

Confirm you can replicate a mockup into vectors without redesign.