Premium Apparel Illustrator: Vintage Americana & Historical Heritage Series (America 250) - Contract to Hire

We are building "The Rack," a high-end heritage clothing brand centered on American history and veteran legacy. We are preparing for a major launch tied to the 2026 U.S. Semi quincentennial (250th Anniversary). We are seeking an elite Illustrator/Graphic Designer to create a flagship collection. This is not a "standard graphic tee" project. We require a designer who can execute archival-quality art across four distinct historical eras. The Project Scope: You will be responsible for creating the master illustrations for our "Leaders & Legacy" series, a "Military Heritage" collection, and our official "America 250" anniversary gear. Key Design Challenges: The Founding Era: Creating Intaglio/Engraving style portraits (currency-style cross-hatching). The Civil War Era: Executing high-contrast "Wet-Plate Daguerreotype" aesthetics with chemical-spill vignettes. The WWII Era: Mastering High-Grain Halftone and Stencil-cut typography. Modern Legacy: Minimalist mid-century line art for 1960s–80s historical figures. Technical Requirements: Print-on-Demand Mastery: Designs must be optimized for Water-Based Inks (soft-hand feel) on premium USA-made blanks. Textural Sophistication: Ability to apply nuanced grain overlays and "distressed" textures to avoid "rubbery" solid ink blocks. Typography: Knowledge of period-accurate fonts (Caslon Antique, Gothic Wood-Type, Futura Bold). Vector Proficiency: Deliverables must be high-resolution, print-ready files (AI, PDF) with tech-pack-ready specifications. Preferred Experience: Past work with high-end Americana or Veteran-owned brands. Experience with historical archival research and visual replication. Knowledge of "Discharge Printing" and "Tonal Printing" techniques. Please include a link to your portfolio specifically highlighting vintage, etched, or historical illustration styles. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job