What do you want to do when you grow up? Jobs are temporary, but careers are life plans. Are you a little bit nervous about choosing a career? Choose your career based upon what you want after researching the careers that interest you. Be realistic. Don’t make your decision based upon what someone else wants you to be!
Do you possess good communication and basic computer skills? Are you competent in basic math? Do you pay attention to detail? Do you possess mechanical aptitude? If your answer is yes to these questions, you should explore printing technicians and related fields as a career option.
Graphics and Print Communication prepares individuals to engage in entry level positions in the graphic arts field by providing classroom instruction and laboratory experiences using equipment and software comparable to that found in industry. Students learn industry terminology, history, and theory. They develop fundamental process skills in operations related to graphic and print design, paste-up and layout, film assembly, platemaking, press operations, and binding and finishing.
Artists, writers, graphic designers and office workers all depend on printing technicians to reproduce their work. Read on to learn about the job duties and training requirements for printing technicians, and find information about job growth and salary that can help you make an informed career and educational decision.
Will I Be Able To Find A Job?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of print related positions will experience steady demand, including print logistics (labels, wrappers, and packaging) and print marketing (catalogs and direct mail). Typical jobs for students who have completed this program include apprentice pre-press technicians and workers, printing press operators and print binding and finishing workers
What Do Printers Do?
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Arrange pages so that materials can be printed
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Operate laser platemaking equipment in order to convert electronic data to plates
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Determine quantities to be printed, paper specifications, colors, and special printing instructions
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Adjust equipment controls and feed paper through press cylinders
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Identify any needed adjustments by inspecting random samples during print runs
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Use hand tools such as bone folders, knives, hammers, or brass binding tools to bind new books
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Fitting and gluing material to binder boards by hand or machine by cutting material to specified dimensions
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Compress sewed or glued sets of pages by using hand presses or smashing machines
*The printing process has three stages: prepress, press, and binding or finishing. In small print shops, the same person may take care of all three stages. However, in most print shops workers specialize in one of these three stages:
Need More Information?
This program is located on the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College. For more information on the Graphic Print Communications program, contact Jim Porch at JCPorch@hindscc.edu and/or 601.857.3319.
