Senior Production Graphic Designer – Apparel & Print Production
Company: Mad Monkey Apparel
Location: Calgary, AB
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Compensation: $25.00 – $30.00 per hour (based on experience)
About Mad Monkey Apparel
Mad Monkey Apparel is a fast-growing custom apparel and branding company specializing in screen printing, embroidery, DTF, DTG, heat transfers, promotional products, and large-format graphics. We work with businesses, organizations, events, and brands across Western Canada to deliver high-quality decorated apparel and branded merchandise.
We are seeking a Senior Production Graphic Designer to join our team. This is not a traditional marketing or creative design position. We are looking for someone with direct experience in apparel decoration and print production who understands how artwork translates from the computer screen to the finished product.
The ideal candidate will require minimal training on decoration methods, artwork setup, production requirements, sizing standards, and file preparation.
The Role
This is a senior-level production design position responsible for creating customer artwork, preparing production-ready files, building customer mockups, and ensuring artwork moves efficiently through the production process.
You will work closely with our sales, production, and management teams to ensure projects are accurate, production-ready, and delivered on schedule.
This position operates in a fast-paced production environment where accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail are critical.
Responsibilities
- Create and revise customer artwork for apparel and promotional products
- Prepare production-ready files for screen printing, embroidery, DTF, DTG, heat transfers, and related decoration methods
- Build customer mockups, proofs, and approval packages
- Ensure artwork meets production specifications and quality standards
- Create and maintain vector artwork libraries
- Perform artwork cleanup, redraws, and file conversions
- Prepare spot color artwork and color separations when required
- Adjust artwork based on garment sizes, decoration methods, and production limitations
- Communicate with sales and production teams regarding artwork requirements and project specifications
- Maintain organized artwork files, job records, and production documentation
- Manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Identify and resolve artwork issues before production
Required Experience
Applicants must have previous experience working in the custom apparel, screen printing, embroidery, promotional products, sign production, large-format print, vehicle graphics, or related print-production industries.
Candidates whose experience is limited to marketing, advertising, social media, or general graphic design may not be a fit for this position.
Applicants should already have experience with:
- Screen printing artwork preparation
- Embroidery artwork requirements and production limitations
- DTF and DTG artwork setup
- Heat transfer artwork preparation
- Print placement and sizing standards
- Vector artwork creation and editing
- Production-ready file preparation
- Spot color artwork and color management
- Working within production specifications and manufacturing constraints
Software Requirements
- Adobe Illustrator (Advanced to Expert)
- Adobe Photoshop
- Strong understanding of vector-based artwork creation and file management
Assets Considered Strong Advantages
- Embroidery digitizing experience
- Experience with large-format print production
- Signage and vehicle graphics experience
- Knowledge of RIP software and print workflows
- Experience with promotional product artwork requirements
What We're Looking For
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Excellent organization and time-management skills
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines
- Clear communication skills
- Production-minded approach to design
- Commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work
Why Join Mad Monkey Apparel?
- Stable, full-time position
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Benefits package available
- Growth opportunities within a rapidly expanding company
- Diverse mix of apparel, promotional product, and print-production projects
- Collaborative team environment
Pay: $25.00-$30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have preparing production-ready artwork for screen printing, embroidery, DTF, DTG, promotional products, signage, or related print-production applications?
Please describe the decoration methods and production workflows you have worked with.
Describe a process improvement, automation, AI workflow, template system, or efficiency you introduced in a previous role. What problem did it solve, and what was the result?
Work Location: In person
