Kurt Loun

**** **** ******, ** *****, CA *****, 909-***-****, adcziu@r.postjobfree.com

Objective

Obtain a position within digital media outlets where I can maximize my skills in management, printing-prepress/graphic-design and computer innovation.

David & Goliath

Inn-Ocean(Thelab-Los Angeles)

August 2016 to Present

Production Mechanical Artist / Retoucher

Thelab is a servicing Studio located within David & Goliath Marketing Agency. Thelab services both Print/Digital for DnG. Servicing clients are; KIA, Jack in the Box, CA Lottery, Universal Studios, and VIZIO.

Create Mechanicals for OOH, STATION DOM, POP, POS, Print Ads, Car Books, Wall Murals, End-Cards and anything the agency needs in Print or Digital. Delivering final finals (CFO, PDFX1-A, JPEGS etc….) to vendors ensuring all files meet specifications. Reading Campaign Grids (Excel Files) for Media buys on OOH projects. Create Insitu for client creative approval on campaigns. All while using Adobe CC suite of applications. My skillset is up to date on Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and Indesign. I have many years of experience using a multitude of applications.

Create Vector Illustration from Creative comps. Headlines, Logos etc…

Retouching/Color Correcting final Assets based on Creative Direction/comps. Direction on screen from Art Director. Take Studio retouched assets and build final comps for publications and car books.

Make certified G7, SWOP, SNAP EPSON proofs from GMG RIP on EPSON 9900 printers.

Utilizing Automation by using script. Example; Batch processing of PDF’s.

Mounting EPSON’s on foam-core for presentations.

Print and book-down (blue-lines) car books for printers/vendors.

Weber Printing Co.

June 2007 to August 2016

Director of Prepress and Head of IT

Assist in Production; prioritizing time sensitive tasks/jobs based on level of difficulty and deadline. Predicting accurate timelines for job estimating and delivery.

Facilitate Jobs through the entire manufacturing process, from Prepress through bindery and final delivery.

R&D; implementation of new workflows for faster processes/production (automation). Example of work automation: Fuji XMF.

Senior Color/Photo Retoucher; color correct supplied images for high-quality reproduction on commercial printing press, matching product or client expectations from color proof. Set up ICC Color Standard workflow with inkjet printers, (Epson Pro 9900 and Oris). Match images from Monitor to Press Check within a fast-paced environment under time-sensitive deadlines.

Senior Mechanical Artist; take direction from clients vision to success within desktop applications such as Adobe Creative suite, (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and QuarkXPress. Check/Create files to ensure proper backups of die-lined products and or image tie-ins for package printing. Assemble files to ensure high quality printing.

Press-Check; ensure color/type and overall quality of final printing production.

Wide format printing using EPSON Pro 9900 driven by Oris. Color Management; using Spectrometer to stay in Calibration to industry standards such as G7 and SWOP Coat ink densities.

Rampage Workflow for ripping and trapping files for print

Preps for Imposition.

System Administrator; Maintain all computer systems and servers including OS installations, application install/updates, security and file servers on both Mac and PC platforms. Handle all server tasks: web, mail, firewall and router (networking).

Example of clients: EPSON, FOX Racing, PacifiCare, United Healthcare, AAW Doors, Pieper, Union Suppy, JC Backings (Movie Backdrops) and Healthcare Partners.

Anderson Lithograph

April 2003 to June 2007

2nd Shift Foreman- Desktop Publishing Department

Manage 2nd Shift Prepress Department including Desktop, Color Department, Creo (Plating) and proofing. Ensure everyone is working as a TEAM player and working to their full potential. Managing required quarterly reviews used to monitor employee work performance. Carry out/Create production schedules and monitor job status. Quality control; proofing to ensure proper trapping, color and product tie-ins for packaging and custom projects.

Pre-flighting and assembly of client files. Check for proper color application throughout ad campaign to create successful product tie-ins to fold outs that crossed over images tying into flaps or packaging. Saddle-stitch/Perfect- Bound books, brochures and anything on print was created/check for proper pagination, push-outs (Perfect-bound books) and creep (Saddle-stitch books).

Develop close relationship and communicate with clients to suggest better strategies within the pre-production stage of jobs.

Color/Photo Retoucher; color correct supplied images for high-quality reproduction on commercial printing press to match product or client expectations from color proof.

Examples of Clients: Chiat Day, Designory, Rubin Postaer, David & Goliath, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, VW, Lexus and Honda.

Heinz Weber Inc.

October 1998 to April 2003

Head Prepress Manager/System Administrator

Maintain all servers and computer systems on both Mac and PC platforms. Research technological advancements and make purchasing recommendations. Implementation of an asset management system (Canto Cumulus) for data backup. Archive through visual thumbnail archives linked to media backups (CD).

Color/Photo Retoucher- Color correct supplied images for high-quality reproduction on commercial printing press to match product or client expectations from color proof.

Assembly of all client files to ensure tie-ins on packaging (Video/DVD).

Manage over 20 workers in Prepress department.

Clients included: Disney, Fox Studios, Paramount Studios, Lucas Films and all top Ad agencies such as Chiat Day, Rubin Postaer and Jefferson Acker.

Online Imaging Inc.

January 1995 to October 1998

Prepress Operator

Color/Photo Retoucher. Color correct supplied images for high-quality reproduction on commercial printing press to match product or client expectations from color proof.

File preflight and assembly for film output. Adding trap, creep to books and over-all printing needs.

Customer service. Assist in any questions the client may have in the pre/post-production stages. Ensuring final film negatives are correct for press.

Heinz Weber Inc.

January 1990 to January 1995

Served Apprenticeship: Proofer/Composer/Stripper/Scanner Operator.

Cromolin Operator. Laying down all separations for final proof.

Composer. Composing negative film under direct light source for separations.

Color Stripper. Shooting customer artwork on analog camera for type/key-lines to build the foundation of image and type composed in a single negative for plating.

Scanner Operator. Scanning in reflective/transparency artwork for four color negative reproduction and color correction.

Pepsi

June 1988 to January 1990

Merchandiser

Stocking supermarkets, (Vons, Ralph’s, Stater Brother’s, Safeway...etc.) with product.

EDUCATION

January 1995 to October 1998

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-FULLERTON

Certification in QuarkXpress

REFERENCES

Available Upon Request

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