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Graphic Arts/Printing

Industry mentors are trained to teach youth apprentices the skills and knowledge needed to find entry level employment in the graphic arts/printing industry.

Youth apprentices rotate through up to four major areas at the worksite (see Skills Standards Checklist) and take related classroom instruction at the local high school, technical college or at the worksite.

The Graphic Arts Printing program has two options available. The one-year option includes two semesters of classroom instruction which support a minimum of 450 work hours. The two-year option includes four semesters of classroom instruction, which support 900 work hours.

Related Instruction Requirements

Graphic arts/printing instruction focuses on:

• Introduction to the Printing Industry
  The entire process of producing printed materials, from concept and design through finishing and distribution. All facets of printing and allied industries are introduced.
• Electronic Imaging/Publishing
  An introduction to basic color theory and the use of computers to create page layout, text and graphic files. The use of electronic imaging equipment, including scanners, computers and output devices used to merge files with high resolution images to produce final films is included.
• Image Assembly
  Conventional methods of image assembly used to impose films to various types of press layouts. Shooting, stripping and proofing is included. Work experience ranges from single-color letterheads and envelopes to complex multi-color catalogs and brochures.

In addition to the three units listed above, the program can offer one of the following:

• Image Transfer - Offset
• Image Transfer - Screen
• Image Transfer - Flexography
• Image Transfer - Roto Gravure

Skill Certificate and Advanced Standing

After successful completion of the requirements for a high school diploma and the school-based and work-based requirements for Youth Apprenticeship, the students receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the Department of Workforce Development.  Students who complete the two-year Graphic Arts/Printing Program are eligible to receive six or more advanced standing credits from a Wisconsin Technical College offering a Printing and Publishing associate degree program.

Downloadable Documents: