I am Anthony Mercado, a Graphic Designer and Print Production Specialist with extensive experience in commercial print, prepress, and publication design. My background combines hands-on production work with design execution, giving me a practical understanding of how creative decisions impact real-world printing, timelines, and quality control.

 

I specialize in production-ready layouts, multi-page documents, and print materials that meet technical specifications while maintaining clear visual communication.

 

 

 

 

Professional Experience

 

 

My career began with a strong foundation in Adobe Creative Suite on both Mac and PC platforms, followed by hands-on experience in large-scale publication environments. I worked as a Pre-Press Technician at The Palm Beach Post, where I supported daily newspaper production, monitored workflows, and assisted with troubleshooting production issues under strict deadlines.

 

This role provided critical exposure to high-volume print operations, color management, file preparation, and quality assurance within a fast-paced production setting.

 

 

 

Design & Production Work

 

 

After departmental outsourcing in 2012, I continued working in the print industry through Cox Media as a digital journeyman. During this period, my responsibilities expanded beyond prepress into layout and design production, supporting both in-house and independent contract projects.

 

My work includes the design and production of:

 

• Multi-page publications and booklets

• Brochures and presentation folders

• Business cards and branding materials

• Restaurant menus and promotional print

• Direct-mail campaigns and posters

• Signage and mounted displays

 

 

This experience strengthened my ability to balance creative execution with technical requirements and production constraints.

 

 

 

Freelance & Contract Experience

 

 

In addition to in-house roles, I have worked as an independent contractor supporting restaurants, small businesses, publications, and agencies. I am comfortable managing projects independently or collaborating within established workflows, and I adapt quickly to different production environments.

 

 

 

Education & Professional Development

 

 

In 2023, I returned to higher education to expand my skills in Web Design, Multimedia Graphics, Animation, and Publication Design at Palm Beach State College. I earned Dean’s List recognition, maintained a 3.89 GPA, and received the 2024 Koo Family Scholarship for academic excellence.

 

My academic work has been featured in sponsored exhibitions, and I continue to build upon my technical and design skill set to remain current in both print and digital production workflows.

 

 

 

Current Focus

 

 

I am seeking a stable, professional design role where I can apply my experience in print production, layout, and prepress within a collaborative team environment. I bring reliability, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of production realities to every project.

 

References and work samples are available upon request.