Graphic Designer - Product Packaging & Print Design | Project + Ongoing Opportunity

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced Graphic Designer with strong hands-on experience in product packaging and print design.

This is not primarily a social media or digital design position. We need someone who understands how to take a packaging concept from design through to print-ready production.

You will work across different consumer products and brands, creating and improving packaging, labels and other printed materials.

The role will initially be project-based, with the opportunity for ongoing design work for the right person.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Design product packaging from concept through to final artwork
* Create and modify labels, boxes, pouches, sleeves and other product packaging
* Work with existing brand guidelines and maintain consistency across packaging
* Prepare professional print-ready artwork
* Work accurately with printer-supplied dielines and templates
* Check dimensions, bleed, margins, colour setup and print specifications
* Prepare CMYK and other production files as required by printers
* Make artwork revisions based on printer feedback and production requirements
* Adapt existing packaging designs for different products, sizes or variations
* Create product inserts, cards, flyers and other printed collateral when required
* Organise source files properly so they can easily be updated in the future
* Communicate with our team and, when required, help resolve artwork or print-production issues

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

You must have genuine previous experience designing packaging that has actually been commercially printed.

You should have:

* Strong graphic design experience
* Strong product packaging design experience
* Experience preparing artwork for professional printing
* Good understanding of dielines and packaging templates
* Good understanding of bleed, trim, margins and print-safe areas
* Strong Adobe Illustrator skills
* Strong Adobe Photoshop skills
* Ability to prepare clean and organised editable source files
* Strong attention to detail
* Ability to follow printer specifications accurately
* Ability to work independently and solve design and production problems
* Good written and spoken English
* Reliable communication and availability

IMPORTANT

We are specifically looking for someone with real packaging and print-production experience.

If your experience is mainly social media posts, Canva graphics, website banners or digital marketing design, this position is probably not suitable.

We want to see packaging projects that you personally designed and prepared for actual commercial printing.

HIGHLY REGARDED

Experience with the following will be an advantage:

* Food and consumer-product packaging
* Labels and flexible packaging
* Boxes and cartons
* Retail product packaging
* Working directly with commercial printers
* Preparing multiple product variations or SKUs
* Creating packaging within established brand guidelines
* Australian businesses or Australian printing companies

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Please rate yourself from 1 to 10 in each area:

1. Adobe Illustrator
2. Adobe Photoshop
3. Product packaging design
4. Print-ready artwork preparation
5. Working with dielines
6. Prepress / commercial printing knowledge
7. Label design
8. Box / carton packaging design
9. Brand consistency
10. Attention to detail and artwork checking

Please be realistic with your ratings. We will discuss these areas during the interview.

TO APPLY

Please provide:

1. Your CV / resume

2. Your completed Self-Assessment above

3. A link to your portfolio

4. At least 3 examples of product packaging projects you have personally completed

For the packaging examples, we would particularly like to see projects that were actually produced and printed, not only mockups or concepts.

5. Please answer the following questions:

* How many years of professional graphic design experience do you have?
* How many years have you specifically worked on product packaging?
* What types of packaging have you designed?
* Have your packaging designs been commercially printed?
* Do you regularly work with printer-supplied dielines?
* Briefly explain how you prepare a design before sending it to a commercial printer.
* Which Adobe applications do you use regularly?
* Have you worked directly with printers to resolve artwork or production issues?
* Have you previously worked with Australian businesses?
* What is your expected hourly rate in AUD?
* What is your current availability?
* Are you currently working full-time or for other clients? If yes, approximately how many hours per week?

MANDATORY 3-MINUTE INTRODUCTION VIDEO

Please send a short introduction video of approximately 3 minutes.

You can record the video using Loom or upload it to Google Drive and provide us with a link.

Please briefly cover:

* Who you are and your design background
* Your packaging and print-design experience
* The types of packaging you have worked on
* One packaging project you personally took from design through to final print-ready artwork
* Your experience working with printers and dielines
* Why you believe you would be a good fit for this role

If using Google Drive, please make sure the link can be viewed without requesting access.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTION

Your application must include your packaging portfolio/examples and introduction video.

Applications without examples of previous packaging work may not be reviewed.

We are looking for a designer who combines strong visual design skills with practical print-production knowledge and can take responsibility for delivering accurate, professional, print-ready artwork.

The position will initially be project-based, with the opportunity for ongoing work across our different brands and products for the right designer.