Graphic Designer & Sign Production Specialist

About the Role

FASTSIGNS Richmond (Aliana Mission Bend) is hiring a full-time Graphic Designer/Sign Production Specialist to join our team. This position combines creative graphic design with hands-on sign production and finishing. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, creative, and comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment. The Graphic Designer & Sign Production Specialist will work with customer-provided artwork and specifications to create, modify, prepare, print, and produce high-quality graphics, signage, and visual communication materials. This role requires both strong computer graphic skills and the ability to perform hands-on production tasks.

Responsibilities

• Create computer-generated, full-color graphics and vinyl output for printing, mounting, cutting, weeding, and application.
• Create or modify designs based on customer drawings, files, specifications, or customer-provided artwork.
• Determine the appropriate size, layout, typography, and arrangement of graphics and copy based on available space, aesthetic requirements, and production specifications.
• Determine the best production and output method based on the customer's needs and project requirements.
• Inspect artwork and jobs for accuracy before sending them to production or output.
• Ensure the correct materials are selected and that printer and output-device settings are properly configured.
• Maintain the customer logo and artwork library and convert graphic files as needed.
• Accurately read and interpret Work Orders and proof projects for errors or quality issues before and after production.
• Operate and maintain digital printers and other production equipment.
• Follow layouts to accurately place computer-cut vinyl or full-color graphics onto predetermined substrates or media.
• Weed excess vinyl from computer-cut images using appropriate techniques based on the size, type, and complexity of the graphics.
• Prepare substrates for vinyl application, including cutting, painting, laminating, cleaning, and other preparation tasks.
• Apply vinyl lettering and graphics to a variety of substrates and surfaces.
• Perform finishing operations, including laminating, mounting, trimming, and preparing printed materials for delivery or installation.
• Perform quality-control checks throughout the production process to ensure finished products meet customer and company standards.
• Monitor inventory levels and report materials and supplies that need to be reordered to the Center Manager, Production Manager, or Franchisee.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe production and storage area.
• Clean and properly maintain production equipment and work areas.
• Follow all company safety and production procedures.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of graphic design and/or sign production experience preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator required; experience with other Adobe Creative Suite programs is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Ability to prioritize multiple jobs, multitask, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to operate or learn to operate printers, laminators, and light power equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret Work Orders and production specifications.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods, including 4 hours or more.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, including 4 hours or more.
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds.
• Ability to bend, lean over a waist-high worktable, and perform repetitive back-and-forth hand motions when applying vinyl and graphics.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to learn new equipment, software, production techniques, and processes.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate enjoys both creative computer-based design and hands-on production work. You should take pride in producing high-quality work, have excellent attention to detail, be comfortable managing multiple projects, and be willing to jump in wherever needed to help the production team succeed. If you are creative, dependable, detail-oriented, and enjoy seeing your designs transformed into high-quality signs and graphics, we would love to hear from you. Do you enjoy working with people? Do you enjoy helping people solve problems by offering advice and consultation? Are you looking for a job that offers constant learning, skills growth and a career path? If so, we are looking for employees just like you in the ever-changing Sign Industry.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Performance Bonus
• Ongoing Training Opportunities