Production DesignerPackaging, Editorial & Print
I turn approved creative into accurate, organized, press-ready files.
Now booking contract, retainer, and project-based production work.
Core Capabilities
Production Management & Systems
End-to-end ownership of publications and print programs: schedules and page flow in Trello or Asana, file intake, and printer coordination. Templates and InDesign automation—ExtendScript, GREP, and Data Merge. AI-assisted tools—AI-drafted InDesign scripts, Generative Expand for bleed fixes, and batch alt text for accessible PDFs—speed up production and reduce errors.
Editorial & Publication Production
Magazine and publication layouts, complex page composition, typography, parent-page systems, page mapping, image placement, proof corrections, and press-ready editorial files for alumni magazines, books, annual reports, and special editions.
Packaging, Labels & Collateral
Packaging mechanicals, rigid and flexible dielines, product labels, kitting and retail collateral, POS displays, signage and trade-show graphics, color separations, regulated copy placement, and multi-SKU rollouts.
Print Production & Prepress
InDesign and Illustrator production files, PDF/X preflight, file proofing, CMYK and spot-color management, naming and delivery standards, press checks, and quality control across offset, digital, and large-format printing.
Ways to Work Together
Ongoing production
Your outside production department. I handle page production, ad preflight, corrections, and printer coordination on a regular schedule, so your editors and designers can focus on the content.
Per-issue or per-project
A flat fee for a defined scope, such as one magazine issue, a catalog, a book interior, or a packaging rollout. Clear deliverables, clear deadlines.
Overflow and crunch support
Extra hands during press weeks, launches, and seasonal peaks. I can step into your files and templates quickly.
I schedule around your press dates and I’m reachable during your crunch weeks.
Selected Work
Selected production work across packaging, editorial, books, publications, and print. Select materials have been abbreviated or redacted to respect client confidentiality.
Higher-Education PublicationsOngoing publication layout and production for higher-education magazines, including California magazine, where I’m currently Designer & Production Manager.
Packaging ProductionPrint-ready cartons and a bottle label for a mineral sunscreen product line.
The Juice MagazineEditorial design and production for a quarterly surf magazine I co-founded.
West MarineIn-house prepress and press checks for monthly mailers and a 600+ page catalog.
Book Design & ProductionCovers, interior typesetting, and print-on-demand files for self-published authors.
Production DesignPackaging and label mechanicals rolled out across flavors, sizes, and variants.Background & Experience
I’m a production designer with 20+ years of experience preparing packaging, editorial, book, catalog, and collateral work for print. I translate approved creative direction into accurate, press-ready files—handling layouts, mechanicals, dielines, revisions, preflight, proofing, color, and vendor handoff.
I currently serve as Designer & Production Manager forCalifornia magazine (Cal Alumni Association), running each issue from layout and ad preflight through the printer relationship with Quad and post-press file delivery. I have room for one or two more ongoing clients, whether magazines, books, or packaging.
I’ve run press checks, managed printer and packaging-vendor relationships, coordinated designers, editors, and freelancers against hard deadlines using agile workflows, and built the templates and standards that keep multi-person production consistent. I’m especially interested in helping teams standardize production workflows, including InDesign scripting and AI-assisted tools (Adobe Firefly, Generative Fill), without taking creative freedom away from the artists.
I stay hands-on. I’m the person who can own the schedule and the vendor call, and also open the file and fix it. That combination is what I bring to every project.
What People Say
Diana (DeVincenzi) McClean
Director of Marketing and Communications
I worked with Matt on a variety of packaging and communication material design and production projects. Matt is very knowledgeable as well as personable, guiding the process to ensure expected creative outcomes.
Jennine Dureau
Marketing Manager
I find it refreshing to work with someone who knows how to tackle big projects while staying calm, focused and creative all while delivering outstanding work.
Bruce Butterfield
CEO and Founder
Matt is a very creative individual. His knowledge of design as well as production techniques and crafts is invaluable and enables him to participate from start to finish on every project. From book covers to website and page design, Matt’s creative sense is remarkable and invaluable.
Abishek Aurora
Director of Product
Matt is an incredible designer who works hard to identify/solve for customers’ pain points. His designs for critical and heavily used functionality were well received and had a lasting impact on the product adoption.
Brands I’ve Worked With
- Axway
- Kiteworks
- West Marine
- Costco
- Wiser
- FastPencil
- Cisco
- Martinelli’s
- Cal Alumni Association
- Cal Giant
- Tanimura & Antle
- O’Neill
- Big Surf
- Stagnaros
- Annie Glass
- Syncplicity
Get in Touch
Need a production partner who gets it to press right?
I’m taking on contract, retainer, or per-project production work across editorial, packaging, books, and print. That could be producing a magazine issue from start to finish, handling overflow during a busy season, or rolling out labels across many products. I’m based in Santa Cruz, work remotely, and can be onsite in the Bay Area when needed.