Graphic Arts

The printing and publishing industry is now referred to as the Graphic communications industry, which more accurately represents the broader scope of what printers do today. Commercial Print Shops are now referred to as Digital Media Service Providers. These expanded services include e-commerce; m-commerce applications; web page creation and hosting; mailing and fulfillment; digital-media creation; and a host of services that provide print and non-print production and distribution, well beyond the core graphics' model. [Printing Industries of America, Joe Marin, Senior Analyst, Digital Technologies September 10, 2011, Teacher's Conference, Chicago, Illinois]

Graphic communication is America's most geographically dispersed manufacturing industry and is a major force in the economy of every state. Every state has at least 60 printing plants, more than 1,000 employees, and more than $190 million in production. The average state has more than 700 printing plants with 20,000 employees and more than $3 billion in shipments. (Source: PIA/GATF, 2007)

You can go virtually anywhere in the country and get a job working in the graphic communication profession. There are more people employed nationwide in the industry than there are working at the top three fast food restaurants combined! (Source: PGSF.org 2010 Directory)

Job Outlook
We anticipate that 60,000 additional people will be needed each year through 2016, due to baby boomers retiring, along with changes in workflow, production, and new technologies. The Bureau of Labor statistics projects the following through 2014:

Growth in production jobs
Growth in supervisors and managers
Growth in digital printers, screen printing and flexography
Growth in bindery workers

The industry will need prepress technicians, press operators, drivers, bindery workers, sales and customer service people, computer operators, graphic artists, chemists, machinists, warehouse operators, mechanics, production supervisors, and all forms of management.

What We Do and Who We Are
We help the world communicate across a wide range of platforms. Ideas are created on the computer and carried through to a variety of platforms that can include the Internet as well as printed forms of many types and variations, from personalized digital imaging to long-run conventional to the side of a bus. Many graphic communication jobs are high-tech, highly skilled, high paying, creative, and innovative. They cover a wide range of positions from professional and managerial, to administrative, sales, and job planning through production positions operating machines. Graphic communication companies are entrepreneurial and innovative. They range from small companies with a few employees to large plants with several hundred people on multiple shifts. Nearly all have modern computerized equipment and stay current with technology changes taking place in the field. (Source: PGSF.org 2010 Directory)

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Please consult a faculty advisor listed below before beginning your coursework.

Degrees

Print Production, Associate in Applied Science
Digital Prepress Production, Associate in Applied Science

When planning your coursework, use the Student Planning Worksheet. Degree information and the worksheet can be found on the following files:

[ Print Production, A.A.S. Degree , PDF file]
[ Digital Prepress Production, A.A.S. Degree , PDF file]
[ Student Planning Worksheet , PDF file]

Certificates

Print Production
Digital Prepress Production

Information on the certificates listed above can be found on the following file:
[ Certificates, PDF file]

Course Descriptions

Articulation Agreements

Gainful Employment Information

View information about this program, including estimated cost and employment opportunities.

FACULTY ADVISORS

If you are considering this program as an area of study, consult with a faculty advisor in this field. To send an email, click on the name of the advisor you wish to reach:

Shaun Dudek, coordinator
MAC 187D, (630) 942-2040

Pat Borowiak
MAC 187C, (630) 942-2117

Elizabeth Marszalek
MAC 187B, (630) 942-2045

If you are unable to contact an advisor, messages may be left with the Liberal Arts Division, SRC 3416, (630) 942-2047.