Graphic Communications Technologies
- Graphics Imaging Technology
- Advertising Design Certificate
- Printing Management Certificate
- Production Artist Certificate
Graphics Imaging Technology (GIT)
Students in the Graphics Imaging Technologies study the process of creating art and publishing materials from idea generation to production. Students use Macintosh and PC computer platforms, software, and peripherals to produce art for the major printing processes, including offset lithography, packaging (flexography), and screen printing. Hands-on training in the production of printed materials using industry standards is accomplished using two- and four-color offset presses, a four-color digital offset press (Heidelberg Quickmaster DI-Plus), four and six color screen printing presses, a four-color flexographic press, and a digital web press simulator. In addition, curriculum emphasis is placed on digital photography techniques in a studio setting using digital cameras and equipment, mid-management training, estimating, and marketing.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Estimate job and paper costs for clients
- Generate artwork using the most popular graphics software programs
- Operate and produce jobs on offset, flexographic, and screen printing presses
- Prepare files for specific printing process standards
- Produce digital photos optimized for print production
Representative Job Titles for Graduates
Color Specialist
Customer Service
Estimator
Preflight Technician
Prepress Specialist
Press Operator
Salesperson
Articulation Agreements/Strong Transfer History
Bowling Green State University
Clemson University
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
West Virginia Tech
Xavier University
Representative Co-op Employers
Berman Printing
RPI
Mr. Label Co.
Stevenson, Inc.
Great American Insurance Company
Co-op Salary Projections
$9–$16/hour
Employment Outlook
Nearly 100 percent graduate placement. According to the Printing Industry of Ohio, the state has approximately 2,300 printing and publishing companies with over seven billion dollars in sales. There are currently 1.3 billion people working in the graphic communications industry. Printers in the Greater Cincinnati area include divisions of customer service, pressroom, and quality control.
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
$26,000–$40,000 annually
Related Cincinnati State Programs and Certificates
Advertising Design Certificate
Printing Management Certificate
Production Artist Certificate
Graphics Imaging Technology curriculum
Advertising Design Certificate (ADC)
The Advertising Design certificate is designed for students who want to help businesses maximize their return on advertising investment. Students in the Advertising Design certificate program develop the skills to generate ideas, manipulate images, and use various design methods to create advertising that sells. Students learn how to cost-effectively pinpoint highly targeted prospects, use advertising to generate a constant stream of inquiries, and convert a high proportion of prospects into clients/customers. Participants learn computer design, digital camera processes, concept development, communication techniques, and presentation skills. Graduates gain mastery of the entire advertising process, from research to developing creative objectives for various advertising and promotional strategies. Advertising Design graduates will find career placement in advertising agencies and major industries.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Prepare digital graphic files for print media using software such as layout, illustration, and photo manipulation
- Use marketing and advertising strategies to develop concepts and promotional materials
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
$20,000–$24,000 annually
Related Cincinnati State Programs and Certificates
Graphics Imaging Technology
Management Marketing Technology
Advertising Design certificate curriculum
Printing Management Certificate (PMC)
The Printing Management certificate program prepares students for entry-level management or trainee positions in the printing industry. Coursework blends the technical and hands-on experience needed to understand the industry with managerial classes, techniques, and strategies. For more management or graphics industry opportunities, it is recommended the certificate be combined with an associate’s degree in Graphics Imaging Technology or Business Management Technology.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Apply background of print processes and control to relate to management strategy
- Understand and incorporate management techniques for the print industry
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
$20,000–$24,000 (higher if in conjunction with an associate’s degree)
Related Cincinnati State Programs and Certificates
Graphics Imaging Technology
Management Marketing Technology
Printing Management Certificate curriculum
Production Artist Certificate (PDAC)
The Production Artist certificate allows students to gain the knowledge needed to prepare a customer’s design for print media using graphic software and knowledge of printing processes and techniques. Emphasis is placed on design skills as well as how jobs are printed on several types of printing presses, including issues with color reproduction and basic and digital photography techniques.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Understand variables in print processes and adapt files to meet the criteria
- Use graphic software programs to prepare digital files for print media
- Use prepress techniques to preflight digital files and correct any problems
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
$20,000–$24,000 annually
Related Cincinnati State Programs and Certificates
Graphics Imaging Technology
