***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

047 GRAPHIC/PRINTING COMMUNICATIONS

Approved vocational education programs in Graphic and Printing Communications prepare students to design and execute layouts and illustrations for advertising displays and instructional manuals. Students may also be prepared in all phases of offset printing, layout, composition, presswork and binding, and other graphic arts related to the printing industry.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

COMMERCIAL ART

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

LITHOGRAPHY, PHOTOGRAPHY, & PLATEMAKING

057 VISUAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGY

Approved vocational education programs in Visual Imaging Technology provide students with a set of foundation skills as well as a set of visual imaging skills that are generic to like occupations. These programs prepare students for such occupations as paste-up keyliner and other commercial artist occupations, film laboratory technician, process camera operator, lithographic press operator, and photographic finisher.

Courses in other trade & industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM***

143 PRINTING, GRAPHICS & COMMERCIAL ART

Programs in Printing, Graphics, and Commercial Art provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment communicating ideas or stimulating interest in industrial products using pictorial or printed media. Employment is available in the printing industry and in many branches of advertising. Individuals who teach Printing, Graphics, and Commercial Art at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary among schools and areas of interest but may include:

            Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

034 PHOTOENGRAVER

Most people enter occupations within this MOIScript through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job. Apprenticeship programs for this occupation usually include:

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

Please check Military website at http://www.myfuture.com .

PRINTING SPECIALISTS

The military produces many printed publications each year, including newspapers, booklets, training manuals, maps, and charts. Printing specialists operate printing presses and binding machines to make finished copies of printed material.

What They Do

Printing specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Reproduce printed matter using offset lithographic printing processes

• Prepare photographic negatives and transfer them to printing plates using copy cameras and enlargers

• Prepare layouts of artwork photographs and text for lithographic plates

• Produce brochures, newspapers, maps, and charts

• Bind printed material into hardback or paperback books using binding machines

• Maintain printing presses

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include shop mechanics. Helpful attributes include:

• Preference for doing physical work

• Interest in learning about printing

Training Provided

Job training consists of 8 to 20 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in operating printing presses. Training length varies by specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Photolithography techniques

• Operation of offset presses

• Techniques for making printing plates

• Binding Techniques

Further training occurs on the job and through advance courses. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs in this occupation.

Work Environment

Printing specialists work indoors in print shops and offices located on land or aboard ships.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian printing specialists work for commercial print shops, newspapers, insurance companies, government offices, or businesses that do their own printing. They perform duties similar to military printing specialists. They may be called offset printing press operators, lithograph press operators, offset supplicating machine operators, lithograph photographers, or bindery workers.

Physical Demands

Normal color vision is required to enter some specialties in this occupation.

Opportunities

The military has about 1,800 printing specialists. On average, the services need about 200 new specialists each year. After job training, specialists normally operate printing and binding machines under direct supervision. With experience, they work more independently, setting up and operating machines. In time, printing specialists may become supervisors of printing plants.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Many employers prefer workers who have completed a formal apprenticeship. Applicants for apprenticeship programs may have to pass a physical exam and an aptitude test.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Printing: Platemaking Occupations employer

internships

volunteer work with a Printing: Platemaking Occupations employer

community service work with an agency

Secondary vocational education programs in graphic/printing communications may provide experience. A formal apprenticeship program, postsecondary programs in printing, graphics, and commercial art, and related military training may also provide opportunities for experience in this field.

Methods of entry include completing an apprenticeship and applying directly to employers. Assistance may be obtained from school placement offices, consulting local unions, or apprenticeship information specialists at local offices of Michigan Works!. Openings may appear in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment service sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of workers in platemaking occupations depend on the extent of unionization, type of specialty, type of industry, and location of the firm. Wage rates are usually lower in small nonunion shops. Workers in major cities are paid the highest union wages of all unionized printing workers.

Nationally, the union wage rates (1998) in large urban areas for various job titles were:

In Michigan, nonunion Platemaking workers earned hourly rates of (Mid 1997):

Unionized workers in the above occupations typically earned more in 1999.

Apprentice Photoengravers and Lithographers start at a rate of pay which is at least 50% of what a fully qualified worker would earn. Workers in platemaking occupations receive additional pay for working overtime and on evening and night shifts and may receive cost-of-living allowances depending on the union contract.

Most workers in platemaking occupations working in union shops receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. Classes for upgrading skills may be sponsored jointly by unions and employers. Benefits for workers in small, nonunion shops vary.

Some workers in platemaking occupations enter the occupation as apprentices. They are gradually given responsibilities until they complete the apprenticeship program and become fully qualified Photoengravers or Lithographers. With additional training and experience, some of these workers become supervisors or shop superintendents. Some may start their own businesses.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

About 69,700 workers in platemaking occupations were employed nationally in 1996. Employment of these workers is expected to decline through the year 2006. Workers in platemaking operations were found in the printing and publishing industries. They were employed by commercial printing establishments, especially those that printed business forms, but also by other printing companies such as newspapers, magazines, book publishers and bookbinding firms. A very small number of these workers were employed by the Federal Government. Opportunities will be best for individuals who have completed post-high school programs in printing technology.

There are approximately 2,675 workers in platemaking occupations employed in Michigan. Most worked in or near urban areas or large cities. They worked for commercial printing plants and newspaper, book, and magazine publishers. Some worked in commercial shops that make photoengravings for other printing firms.

Employment of workers in platemaking occupations in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2005. An average of 50 annual openings is expected, with 10 due to growth and 40 to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Computerization has changed these occupations dramatically. Electronic pagination has grown while employment in several traditional occupations such as printing strippers, compositors, typesetters, and camera operators has decreased. Some small shops may still retain some platemakers because the newer equipment is so expensive. Fifteen percent of print processing is now done "computer to press." A disk with the image is inserted into a digital press. This has made platemaking unnecessary. The percentage of digital printing is growing very fast. Platemakers frequently are re-trained as electronic pre-press workers or press operators. There is much collaboration between the digital image maker and the printer to obtain a good printing image. Certain fonts and software used will not reproduce the computer image well. Short-run color printing has increased because it is easier with this digital technology. As a result, those familiar with color printing techniques are more in demand, such as Desktop publishers, computer artists, and scanner operators. The growth of electronic media and changing environmental standards have impacted printing. These trends have been offset by a growing Michigan economy. Businesses that are growing make greater advertising and printing expenditures.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed occupational information is available upon written request from sources below:

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Printing: Platemaking Occupations can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development