How to hire a production graphic artist

How to hire a production graphic artist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step production graphic artist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a production graphic artist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new production graphic artist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a production graphic artist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The production graphic artist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a production graphic artist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a production graphic artist that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of production graphic artist salaries for various roles:

   Type of Production Graphic Artist	Description	Hourly rate
   Production Graphic Artist	Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.	$20-54
   Designer	A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences... Show more	$21-46
   Design Internship	As the name entails, graphic design interns learn about the career in graphic design in a hands-on setting. They have varied tasks and duties, including taking part in every meeting of the design team, conducting client research, assisting with social media and design projects, and working closely with experienced designers... Show more	$15-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Graphic Design
   • Adobe Illustrator
   • Adobe Photoshop
   • Adobe Creative Suite
   • Graphic Production
   • Adobe Indesign
   • Mac
   • Photography
   • Sketch
   • Design Concepts
   • HTML
   • Color Correction
   • Print Production
   • Press Checks

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage various publications including catalogs, catalog inserts, brochures, mailers and advertising material.
   • Use of EnRoute 5 CNC programming software.
   • Generate CNC/G-Code programs for CNC control machines.
   • Work with the silk screening and embroidery processes.
   • Cut plans and elevations utilizing Microstation, AutoCad and SP3D.
   • Provide SolidWorks, ProE, SDRC/I-DEAS, AutoCAD and IsoDraw expertise.

   More production graphic artist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your production graphic artist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A production graphic artist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, production graphic artists' average salary in alabama is 50% less than in virginia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level production graphic artists earn 63% less than senior-level production graphic artists.
   • Certifications. A production graphic artist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a production graphic artist's salary.

   Average production graphic artist salary

   $69,707yearly

   $33.51 hourly rate

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   Entry-level production graphic artist salary

   $42,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 12, 2025

   Average production graphic artist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$100,560	$48
   2	New York	$85,868	$41
   3	District of Columbia	$84,902	$41
   4	Illinois	$70,850	$34
   5	Minnesota	$68,966	$33
   6	Florida	$55,710	$27

   Average production graphic artist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	CoStar Group	$74,600	$35.87	10
   2	Randstad North America, Inc.	$66,103	$31.78	7
   3	Robert Half	$65,251	$31.37	34
   4	Wpp Us Holdings Inc	$61,809	$29.72	11
   5	FootSmart	$31,414	$15.10

4. Writing a production graphic artist job description

   A job description for a production graphic artist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a production graphic artist job description:

   Production graphic artist job description example

   The Transition Center at the Foreign Service Institute is seeking a videographer/graphic artist to work with selected embassies and consulates overseas to design and develop graphics and video content to be used in the Overseas Briefing Center's Post Video program.This position requires the use of specialized computer software to develop high quality video content for training curriculum related to preparation for an international assignment.The Graphic Artist / Video Production Specialist should be conversant with specialized hardware and/or software for video/audio capture and editing of multimedia presentations, incorporating principles of layout design throughout the production process.The position is responsible for quality control, review and revision of all aspects of video production.
   Duties and Responsibilities:
   Generates and manipulates graphic images, animations, sound, text and video into consolidated and seamless multimedia programs. Uses knowledge of current graphic design software to produce graphic art and visual materials for promotions, advertisements, films, packaging, and informative and instructional material through a variety of media outlets such as websites and CD-ROMs. Must remain abreast of technological advances in the field and be able to identify areas of use in the organization. Manages multiple projects simultaneously and work efficiently in a diverse environment. Demonstrates and assists instructors and program assistants with multi-page scanner/OCR conversion, word processor software, and publishing software. Designs and prepares files for offset printing jobs-including publications, brochures, course catalogs and CD-ROM duplications. Preflights files for print and press according to the Government Printing Office's standards. Prepares printing specifications to obtain pricing for offset printing jobs and obtains quotes for special supplies. Reviews blueline and proofs for approval to print job. Engraves retirement and class achievement plagues using the Roland EGX-30 Desktop Engraver (formerly used the New Hermes engraving software). Frames and mats appreciation certificates and awards. Scans text, images, posters, and photographs for print, electronic publications and reproduction using industrial scanners and large poster format scanner. Perform other duties as assigned
   
   Basic Qualifications:
   High School Diploma Three years of experience in a related field Ability to obtain Public Trust Clearance
   
   Minimum Qualifications:
   Two years' experience preferred with video editing and writing/editing. Familiarity with video editing, graphic design, and matching content to scripts. Familiarity with overseas U.S. Missions.Having been a member of an embassy/consulate community of value. In procession of video editing software, including adding graphics, music, and voice over. Ability to communicate with personnel at U.S. Missions overseas to plan and complete a Post Video. Must be proficient with Adobe Creative Suite Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite particularly Publisher Must be proficient with InDesign Must be proficient with E-Publisher Must have a portfolio ready for review with a focus on print publishing Must be able to successfully receive favorable adjudication of government and company background investigation Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team Strong organizational skills and the ability to meets deadlines Strong customer service skills Effective oral and written communication skills Ability to interact effectively in a multicultural setting Ability to follow technical direction as delivered by the government technical monitor and/or government staff members Consultations with selected U.S. missions overseas for the development of a post video, in accordance with OBC guidelines and instructions. Provide guidance to U.S. Missions overseas for the development and writing/editing of video scripts. Editing of video content to match script and overall video presentation. Other duties as assigned.
   
   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   *This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.
   
   GAP Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find production graphic artists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your production graphic artist job on Zippia to find and attract quality production graphic artist candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting production graphic artists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new production graphic artist

   Once you've decided on a perfect production graphic artist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new production graphic artist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a production graphic artist?