Print Technology Program Code 312041

Employment Potential

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

Digital Output Operator: produces print communication using digital output devices and computer workflow systems. Manages print quality on full color and monochrome projects.

Offset/Press Operator: sets up, prepares and operates presses; loads paper, installs printing plates, adjusts guides and control for machine operations.

Offset/Press Assistant: prepares press for run; runs press proof; adjusts plate, paper feed, tension of paper, ink, and water flow.

Large Format Output Operator: produce large format signage on different substrates.

Bindery/Finishing Operator: operates machines that cut, fold, collate, staple, stitch, trim, and bind pages.

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find other opportunities for employment.

. Graphic Designer
. Pre-Press Technician
. Print Production Supervisor/Manager
. Estimator
. Pre-Flight Specialist
. Customer Service Representative

The following certificates/technical diplomas may be applied toward this program:

. 902042, Digital Print Technology Certificate

Program Outcomes

. Analyze jobs for operations and materials costs.
. Perform electronic pre-press operations.
. Lay out jobs and generate CTP (computer-to-plate) production.
. Create press proofs.
. Set up and operate offset and digital printing presses.
. Maintain a safe work environment.
. Create machine operation procedures.
. Pre-flight jobs for various printing processes.
. Perform finishing operations on printed jobs.

Requirements for Program Entry

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. Communication skills.
. Students should have mastered basic math skills. For a description of basic math, see the Basic Education section of this catalog.
. As a requirement for program entry, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary. Program Benchmarks are: Reading Comprehension: 55; Arithmetic: 34; Sentence Skills: 60. However, we recommend a student receive the following scores to be successful in this program: Reading Comprehension: 75; Arithmetic: 51; Sentence Skills: 84. Remediation options are available to reach recommended scores. Equivalent assessment scores are acceptable. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a counselor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

Curriculum

The Print Technology Technical Diploma is a one-year, two-semester program. Upon graduation, students will have completed 31 credits.

FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

10-111-101 MACINTOSH-IMAGE EDITING ...(Adobe Photoshop + Adobe Acrobat) scanning, editing, color correcting and creating composite montage photographs. Prepare images for publication in print. An introduction to manipulating bitmap images. (Corequisite: 10-111-103, Macintosh-Intro)

10-111-103 MACINTOSH-INTRO ...explore the Macintosh Operating System and applications including iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, GarageBand, FontBook, Sherlock, iCal, AddressBook and Dashboard. Learn to navigate the Mac Operating System and manage files and folders.

10-111-125 GRAPHIC REPRODUCTION TECHNIQUES ...basic process of reproducing images using offset lithography including electronic imaging, preflighting, trapping concepts, imposition, and collect for output. (Prerequisite: 10-111-103, Macintosh-Intro)

10-111-161 MACINTOSH ILLUSTRATION ...create and paint basic shapes, draw, transform objects, work with type, blend shapes and colors, work with layers, special effects, and color separations. An introduction to manipulating vector based images. (Corequisite: 10-111-103, Macintosh-Intro)

10-204-110 PUBLISHING TECHNOLOGIES ...introduction to printing process, electronic publishing, prepress operations, press operations, postpress operations, job logs, professional portfolios, and job seeking skills. (Corequisite: 10-111-103, Macintosh-Intro)

10-204-111 DIGITAL PUBLISHING OPERATIONS ...press equipment, processors, inks, print quality, job tickets, standard operating procedures, densitometers, printing problems, and trapping situations. (Prerequisite: 10-111-103, Macintosh-Intro)

10-204-124 VARIABLE DATA PUBLISHING ...learn how to link database files to page layout applications. Create and manage correct variable channels in page layouts, apply text and image changes to layout to create a personalized printed page, research how the information is gathered to create personalized content.

10-204-126 DIGITAL PRINT APPLICATIONS ...explain why the industry is in a state of transition towards digital printing; outline the proper time to select digital printing as a production tool; determine what type of project fits well into a digital print environment; identify what type of project fits the mold of digital printing.

10-204-128 DIGITAL FULFILLMENT AND MAILING ...learn different ordering processes for digital printing, outline mailing regulations in regard to variable data printing, explain the differences in digital print industry segments, outline deliverable standards in regard to digital print processes, outline how digital printing can be a component to a successful marketing campaign.

10-801-136 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 ...learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. 3 cr.

10-804-123 MATH W BUSINESS APPS ...real numbers; basic operations; proportions/one variable; percents, simple/compound interest; annuity; apply math concepts to purchasing/buying process, selling process; and basic statistics with business/consumer applications. (Prerequisite: Recommendation:Accuplacer Arithmetic = 65). 3 cr.