Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Development
Compliance
Safety & Environmental
Timeline
Russell Johnston

Russell Johnston

Katy,TX

Summary

With over 20 years of experience in print production, I possess extensive knowledge in operating a wide range of printers and production machines, including large-format, roll to roll printers, flatbed printers, and digital copiers. As a Graphic Designer, my technical skills have been pivotal in increasing brand awareness and driving sales and profit growth. Expertise lies in creating innovative content for marketing, promotions, training, branding, products, and services across diverse media platforms such as print advertising, apparel design, social media design, and corporate identity design. Recognized for dependability, organizational abilities, and problem-solving skills, I excel at managing multiple accounts and priorities while collaborating with demanding customers, art directors, advertisers, or retailers. Whether working in a team or individually, I consistently meet critical deadlines without direct supervision.

Offering detail-oriented approach and quick learner ready to excel in digital printing operations. Brings understanding of basic print production principles, coupled with strong technical skills in digital press operation. Ready to use and develop technical proficiency and quality control abilities in [Desired Position] role.

Printing professional with extensive experience in digital press operations and focus on precision and efficiency. Adept at maintaining equipment and ensuring quality print outputs. Known for effective teamwork and adaptability in dynamic environments, with strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Flatbed Digital Press Operator

Natural Graphics, Inc.
10.2023 - Current
  • Operating an Epson V700 digital flatbed printer, performing routine maintenance and daily cleaning to ensure, consistent, high-quality print results
  • Successfully utilizing Epson Edge Print PRO software to accurately match spot colors and import and set up files to create a excellent quality printed signs
  • Cross-trained and learned to operate a Colex router
  • Established and maintained accurate and thorough communication with coworkers and other departments within Natural Graphics

Freelance Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Russ Johnston Design
10.2019 - Current
  • Communicated, advised and consulted clients on current needs
  • Designed original custom logos and new branding for clients
  • Illustrated and designed new, original designs for clients
  • Hand-painted large, outdoor signage for a client
  • Designed social media templates and created regularly scheduled social media posts for clients
  • Created websites for upstart, small businesses
  • Produced signage, logos, and marketing materials to launch a new sporting clays business and a booming gun club, which are both garnering new local and area-wide customers
  • Created successful designs that won contracts for an independent screen printer

Graphic Designer & Customer Service

Image360
11.2021 - 10.2023
  • Using Adobe Illustrator and InDesign to design a variety of signage including, vinyl banners, yard signs, storefront signage, interior wall signs and displays and creating branding and logos
  • Taking orders and consulting customers on signage needs
  • Preparing art files for printing and production
  • Working directly with production department to ensure the finished product meets or exceeds customer expectations
  • Meeting with estimator to work out details of each order, clearly communicating all aspects of a variety of print and production projects to get correct pricing and establish a clear understanding of project scope and aim

Wide Format Digital Press Operator

Riot Creative Imaging
09.2020 - 11.2021
  • Producing high-quality, finished printed products
  • Utilizing Onyx pre-press software to optimize and ready files for production
  • Adjusting current files and laying out print ready work using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
  • Monitor and update production schedule to ensure all departments are on schedule to meet project deadlines
  • Maintain open communication with shop manager to discuss issues that may affect turnaround times on projects

Senior Graphic Designer

QUAD (NYSE: QUAD) Int’l HQ
02.2017 - 10.2019
  • Senior Creative Leader and contributing member of the creative graphic art / graphic design / pre-media team creating impactful materials to support clients' brand initiatives, product launches, service and support advertising campaigns, including company branding and promotions and sales and marketing
  • Applied pre-media and commercial digital printing technical knowledge, creating print-ready files for banners, tri-fold brochures, business cards, and other marketing-related materials
  • Organize, prioritize and collaboratively partner and communicate with the production and shipping teams to ensure critical advertising / marketing deadlines are adhered to and met
  • Edit vector files, proofs, and production-ready files for proper imposition
  • Proof client files; Checking size, color correction (if needed), resolution, borders, margins, and bleeds for accuracy
  • Preflighting files for approval
  • Review and critique ads and strategized for visual solutions by collaborating with advertising specialists
  • Manage team workflow using internal proofing and scheduling applications
  • Implemented new workflow software and procedures for ad creation
  • Assisted team members in the migration of images and digital assets from Academy servers to Ivie systems

Marketing Production Supervisor

ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS
01.2012 - 01.2017
  • Supervised a team of three production associates
  • Negotiated with vendors to confirm price and maintain or better necessary margins
  • Established and enforced service level agreements with vendors, resulting in cost-saving and labor efficiencies
  • Managed and monitored daily workflow using internal proofing and scheduling applications
  • Maintained departmental budget – reporting monthly spending, forecasting and projections
  • Trained employees on production equipment – Canon imagePress C800 and fiery software – on color calibration, workflow strategies, established production practices and press maintainenance
  • Oversaw finished product, ensuring correct color matching, materials used and overall quality met company standards before being released to the client
  • Led and scaled department to handle workflow as company increased from120 to over250 stores within four years
  • Trained and developed three production associates
  • Established new relationships with more efficient and competitive vendors saving the company money

In-House Artist, Art Instructor and Production Associate

HIGH FIVE SPORTSWEAR LLC.
01.2011 - 01.2012
  • Company Overview: A leading retailer of sportswear and accessories providing specialized graphic design and production of screen printed and embroidered t-shirts, sports uniforms, hats, and bags as well as promotional products and many other items
  • Responsible for creating top-selling designs and logos for sporting events
  • Worked directly with clients establishing and maintaining client relationships
  • Trained and worked alongside team members in creating increased quality of imagery and finished products

Education

Master of Arts - Advertising

University of Texas, Austin, TX

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Illustration/Art History

Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, GA

Skills

  • PC Windows & Mac OS technical proficiency with an artist’s eye for detail
  • Technical skills using Adobe Creative Suite; Digital Image Color Correction / Retouching / Compositing – Photoshop, Brand Identity Building and Logo Creation using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Procreate and Page Layout – Adobe InDesign
  • Website technical tools (Wordpress & Squarespace) and MS OFFICE SUITE; Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook & Edge user skills
  • Digital printing expertise
  • Print finishing techniques
  • Graphic design software
  • Color management
  • Prepress operations
  • Print production planning
  • Digital press troubleshooting
  • Digital file formats
  • Large format printing
  • File preparation
  • Adobe creative suite
  • Flatbed printing equipment
  • Press operations
  • Roll-to-roll digital printing equipment
  • Wide format printing
  • Excellent communication
  • Organizational skills
  • Layout design
  • Digital print equipment operation
  • Graphic design
  • Color correcting
  • Printing press operation

Development

Team Leadership, Communications, and Customer Service Skills, Problem & Conflict Solving, Team Building, and Decision Making, Troubleshooting Techniques training & development.

Compliance

HR Policies & Procedures, Business Code-of-Conduct, and Ethics, Labor Law regulatory compliance including Workplace / Sexual Harassment awareness and prevention, Understanding Diversity, etc.

Safety & Environmental

OSHA / Safety compliance and Hazardous Materials (MSDS) training, Hearing Conservation, Fire Prevention & Extinguishers and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Material Handling and ergonomics, Emergency Procedures & Evacuation.

Timeline

Flatbed Digital Press Operator - Natural Graphics, Inc.
10.2023 - Current
Graphic Designer & Customer Service - Image360
11.2021 - 10.2023
Wide Format Digital Press Operator - Riot Creative Imaging
09.2020 - 11.2021
Freelance Graphic Designer/Illustrator - Russ Johnston Design
10.2019 - Current
Senior Graphic Designer - QUAD (NYSE: QUAD) Int’l HQ
02.2017 - 10.2019
Marketing Production Supervisor - ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS
01.2012 - 01.2017
In-House Artist, Art Instructor and Production Associate - HIGH FIVE SPORTSWEAR LLC.
01.2011 - 01.2012
Savannah College of Art & Design - Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration/Art History
University of Texas - Master of Arts, Advertising
Russell Johnston