Commercial Graphics Technician

ASSOCIATE IN COMMERCIAL GRAPHICS
CERTIFICATE IN ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING
CERTIFICATE IN OFFSET PRE-PRESS TECHNIQUES

Commercial Graphics TechnicianAbout the Career

Computer technology has revolutionized the commercial graphics industry, creating a demand for personnel with technically relevant skills. The printing industry is rapidly moving toward complete “digital imaging,” by which customers’ material received on computer disks is converted directly into printing plates. Other innovations in prepress work are digital color page makeup systems, electronic page layout systems, and off-press color proofing systems.

A variety of career paths are available in this rapidly expanding industry, from image setter (desktop publisher) to image assembler to printing press operator. The printing industry ranks as the largest small business in the United States; in the Columbia area, there are nearly 100 printing companies of varying sizes. Additionally, many Columbia businesses employ qualified printing technicians in their in-house printing operations.

 

Printing PressAbout the Program

The Commercial Graphics program at Midlands Technical College is designed to provide qualified support technicians for the printing industry. Hands-on training is combined with theory to provide students with well-balanced preparation for careers in lay-out and copy preparation, photo typesetting, reproduction photography, image assembly, press operations and other related fields.

The college’s associate degree program offers exposure to the entire field of printing technology from initial artwork and imaging to cutting and bindery. The certificate programs provide instruction in specific areas. Each program includes valuable hands-on experience that provides graduates with the competitive edge needed in today’s job market.