Mick Sylvestre

I'm a fine and digital artist. With education and experience in graphic and prepress for well over 20 years.

Mick C. Sylvestre
Regina, Saskatchewan

Métis Nation Citizen No.: 034997
Your diligent & adamant worker bee.

Work Experience

Richards Transport Ltd.       May ‒ Dec 2025 (Laid Off) 
Regina, Saskatchewan
Paint Sprayer
Duties:
HVLP paint and primer sprayer & assistant, set-up, time-management, janitorial, disposal, scraping, taping, masking, wrapping, lift (+50lbs), restocking, organizing, supply ordering & shelving. Extra duties on the grounds include sand, wood and junk removal, disconnect or reconnect, tarp sandblasted hitches, trailers and vehicles so they don’t rust overnight.
 
J&S Cabinet Doors       2019 ‒ 2024 
Surrey, BC
HVLP Sprayer
Duties:
HVLP sprayer & staining assistant, set-up, managing, janitorial, disposal, first-aid, sanding, lift (+50lbs), restocking, organizing & coordinating including ordering, bondable & entrusted.
 
IBC International Bar Coding Systems & Consulting (Freelance)  2018 ‒ 2019
Penticton, BC
Graphics & Production Artist
Duties:
Flown out to Penticton to meet the crew of the company and to be introduced to the owner and the UniNet iColor 700 on assignment based. I work remotely from home on a sporadic basis. I’ve designed and worked in production with files used for both their flexographic printer and the UniNet iColor 700.

Crown Packaging (Contract) 2018
Richmond, BC
Production Artist
Duties:
I was instructed to setting up files that would inevitably be made into plates for corrugated boxes to help out the production team that needed another. Learned about how specific and specialized the corrugated box industry was in comparison to any other industry. In that they guard their “trade secrets” and conduct with a massive load of paperwork.

Artcraft Display Graphics Inc. (Contract)     2018
Port Coquitlam, BC
Production Artist
Duties:
I as given the position as a “graphics manager and print supervisor”, but in reality it was a production artist job. I setup, operated and printed my assigned jobs through three large format printers (Roland 640, Epson SureColor S70670, and a Muthoh ValueJet 1626UH) which I was managing for three whole weeks of overtime on an insanely tight schedule. I even set up a proofing system that wasn’t in place for clients to sign off on, started to catalogue their massively disorganized system and even made suggestions of major improvements to their productivity.

National Graphic Solutions Inc. (Contract)     2018
Richmond, BC
Production Artist
Duties:
I revamped and designed signage for large fleet vehicles and public transportation (like Translink). There is used a system productivity software where everything was assigned through an automated managerial system and you had to complete tasks and maintain a set time schedule.

Ampco Manufacturers Inc. (Contract)   2018
Port Coquitlam, BC 
Production Artist
Duties:
I worked with the sales department as they supplied digital files for the sole purpose of printing to large format printers such as the Arizona. I adjusted and made digital adaptations on the Mac/PC to fit the constraints of the substrates had to covered (e.g.: wall, vehicle, window…). I’ve also had some experience using Procut for specific jobs.

Great Little Box Company (Contract)   2017 
Richmond, British Columbia
Digital Prepress Operator (HP Indigo & use Imposition and Labels)
Duties:
I assist the HP Indigo-6800 operator, by converting and preparing flexographic files for the digital press. I prepare each client job to the specifications provided in the emailed document. The proof(s) are emailed to the CSR, sales staff and to the print coordinator for approval or to be sent to the client. After the job’s approval, I setup the file for the HP. My other duties include building color management and color strategies so the HP matched previous flexographic jobs. I’ve used the most recent version of Adobe CC (Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat…), which also includes using the Esko plug-ins to run the proof files first to the customer service representative, and to later sends the completed jobs to the HP Digital Press (through the HP Smart Stream L&P Print Server 5.2). As part of my duties, I must archive, retrieve and locate digital and or physical documentation of past orders while organizing and managing my department.

Crest Impressions Inc.   2005 ‒ 2016 
Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
Head of the Art Department
Duties:
I was responsible for every aspect of production, from designing the projects from the conceptual to refining finished projects as needed.  Entrusted with the opening and closing the shop, in dealing with client’s payments (cash and or credit transactions) and in dealing directly with clientele, repairmen, sales and upper management. My other duties included implementing all prepress and production to the colour copier and to the DPX for the Heidelberg press. I had to assist and designed for clients from various businesses & industries. On many occasions I had to reorder supplies & restock my department; including ordering plates, software, general office supplies. Also, I had to created internal media content through various social media outlets (facebook, Google…). Many a times I had to transfer and download files to outside service vendors and print houses via FTP, Cloud (various cloud service providers) and or by other means (physical media).

Mostad Printing and Graphics   2004 ‒ 2005 
Surrey, British Columbia
Assistant Production Artist
Duties:
I’ve had to taking client supplied files, and then ensure they were ready for press, by fixing and redesigning where it was required for the web press. On a number of occasions, I got to design and did comps and layouts for clients that included brochures and booklets.  In addition, I would scan from transparencies, assemble film for plate burning, and then do I’d basic maintenance on the Linotronic. By handling chemicals and following safety and cleanliness protocols.

Pacific Printing and Graphics   2002 ‒ 2003 
Richmond, British Columbia
Lead Graphic Artist & Production Artist
Duties:
I got to manage the design and production department and my initial task was to troubleshoot client supplied files. I also calibrated the Linotronic, and the large format printer (Agfa). I accomplished further by doing additional design and layout as required for the offset press. As time when on I was both designing and then doing the prepress to send to film.

*Transcontinental Printing Inc.      2001 ‒ 2002
Delta, British Columbia
Production Artist
Duties:
I had operated and assisted in the proofing and the outputting plates (and film) for the web presses. I had to clean and replenish the chemicals for the Linotronic, worked for hours in the dark room to operate the CTP plating system. Hand to handle and prepared the metal plates for the web presses.

Aquent  (Contract)   1999 ‒ 2001
Vancouver, British Columbia
Graphic Artist and Production Artist
Duties:
My services were hired out to assist various: prepress, design and production houses when these establishments had work overflow. Clientele: 
The Yellow Pages
The Communications Group
Bullseye Communications Group
Graphéme Communications
PrismTech Graphics Ltd.  
C-W Agencies Inc. 
Insight Communications Group
ACL Services Ltd.
Transcontinental Printing

Packers Printing and Design   1999 ‒ 1999
Langley, British Columbia
Graphic and Production Artist Assistant
Duties:
I assisted the company by managing and instructing better methods of completing difficult projects with their head designer.

Citywide Printing   1999 ‒ 2000
Vancouver, British Columbia
Typesetter, Coordinator, and Production Artist
Duties:
I was responsible for managing the art department, by archiving files, contacting clientele & sales staff, of closing down the shop (after hours locking up), I was responsible, and bondable. I worked closely alongside with the printers. I had to troubleshoot files, most times designing, typeset, or updating work order files. I had to organize, prioritize, schedule jobs, proofread & edit.

Samco Printers   1997 ‒ 1999
Vancouver, British Columbia
Graphic Designer & Production Artist
Duties:
I was responsible for directed project assignments from concept to completion. I worked with Adobe and other graphic programs on the PC and on the Macintosh. I used programs like Quark, Illustrator, Photoshop, PageMaker, Corel, PowerPoint, Excel and Word. I have file conversion and compression experience, including utilizing FTP protocols. I am well experienced in high-resolution scanning and digital touch-up (colour management, scratch and dust marks correction). I’ve developed projects from scratch (including correction, proofing and archival). Created files for prepress to output on Linotronic film for offset printing. Have outputting colour proofs on the CLC, and or the Docu-40 for clients to view and approve.

Adams Labels   1996 ‒ 1996
Delta, British Columbia
Production Artist 
Duties:
I managed and handled ready-made digital files for the flexographic press and got them ready for the Linotronic film which would then be burned onto a DuPont plate. I performed tweaking like minor corrections, typesetting, plus performing traps, chokes and spreads on files created.

Glenwood Label and Print    1995 ‒ 1996
New Westminster, British Columbia
Production Artist 
Duties:
I proofed and did the prepress operations for the flexographic and offset printing press. Assigned cleanup duty of processor and handled colour keys for the production department. I had relevant application and knowledge of file transfer protocols when dealing with client supplied files through the net (FTP). I’ve worked directly with clients for project assignments.

Education

Vancouver Community College   1993‒1994
Vancouver, British Columbia
Computer Graphic Technician– Certificate
Comprehensive full-time study of prepress and design programs includes: Adobe, QuarkXPress and Macromedia.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University   1990 ‒1993
Richmond, British Columbia
Applied Visual and Graphic Arts – Diploma
Acquired various skills in production, design, typography, prepress, presentation, illustration and research.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University   1989‒1990
Surrey, British Columbia
Fine Arts Courses
Took conventional painting and & courses so I could upgrade my portfolio to be admitted into the Digital Arts & Visual Media Course.

Volunteer
BC Trout Conservation   1999
Vancouver, British Columbia
This organization commissioned me to create and donate one of my paintings for their Annual Banquet & Fund-raiser.

Richmond Arts Council   1998
Richmond, British Columbia
I had been a volunteer advisory council member and assistant for a year.

I was a HVLP Sprayer (to spray wood doors and metal transportation equipment) entirely based on my experience with an air brush.