turns new page with print production certificate By Marilynn Fryer Taking the creative talents of graphic designers and transforming them into the printed publications that one comes across every day is the task of prepress workers or desktop publishers. Every time you pick up a printed flyer, brochure, newsletter or magazine, a variety of workers have contributed to its creation. The Jackson and mid-Michigan area has a large number of printing businesses, and to help meet the demand for printing professionals, Jackson College will launch a new print production certificate this fall. It will combine some basic design skills common to graphic design students, along with more
14 Fall 2013 • Career Choices • 517.796.8416
practical, technical coursework in printing and press operation. The College will work with the Jackson Area Career Center to offer students a background in many printing areas – screen-printing, linotype, four-color process, web offset press and more. “There is a need for students with a printing background in the area. Students who complete this certificate should be able to find a decent job with a local printing company,” said Christie Hughes, instructor in graphic design and 3D design. “It will include more focused knowledge on the technical side of production, taking files from people, preparing and printing them.”
Print production careers involve a variety of tasks associated with turning text, artwork and photos into finished pages. They may produce camera-ready copy, lay out pages with text and art elements from writers and graphic designers, and transmit a publication master to production to be converted into film and plates for the printing process. Some may create plates and operate presses used in printing. For those interested in a career in desktop publishing, prepress or print production careers, it’s important to have some design and artistic background, but not necessarily as much as a graphic designer who creates artwork from a concept. Attention to detail and knowledge of the printing and production processes are necessary.