Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Graphic Communications
Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills in the manufacture and distribution or transmission of graphic communications products. Covers the prepress, press, and postpress phases of production operations and processes such as offset lithography, flexography, gravure, letterpress, screen printing, foil stamping, digital imaging, and other reproduction methods.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 9 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Graphic Communications, General
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills in the manufacture and distribution or transmission of graphic communications products. Covers the prepress, press, and postpress phases of production operations and processes such as offset lithography, flexography, gravure, letterpress, screen printing, foil stamping, digital imaging, and other reproduction methods.
- Printing Management
- Prepares you to apply technical and managerial knowledge and skills to the processes and procedures of managing printing operations from initial design through finished product distribution. Covers the principles of graphic communications design and production; quality control; printing operations management; computerization; printing plant management; business finance and marketing; logistics and distribution; personnel supervision and leadership; and professional standards in the graphic communications industry.
- Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to the layout, design and typographic arrangement of printed and/or electronic graphic and textual products. Covers printing and lithographic equipment and operations, computer hardware and software, digital imaging, print preparation, page layout and design, desktop publishing, and applicable principles of graphic design and web page design.
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects
- Prepares you to use computer applications and related visual and sound imaging techniques to manipulate images and information originating as film, video, still photographs, digital copy, soundtracks, and physical objects to communicate messages simulating real-world content. Covers specialized camerawork and equipment operation and maintenance, image capture, computer programming, dubbing, CAD applications, and applications to specific commercial, industrial, and entertainment needs.
- Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, prepare, and execute a variety of commercial and industrial graphic communications jobs. Covers the operation and maintenance of mechanical, electronic, and digital graphic, printing, and finishing equipment; and related processes.
- Platemaker/Imager
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to prepare film, digital data, and surfaces to reproduce printed or graphic images. Covers platemaking, stripping, camerawork, imposition, digital imaging, computer direct-to-plate and direct-to-press, and related processes.
- Printing Press Operator
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to set up, operate, and maintain printing presses.
- Computer Typography and Composition Equipment Operator
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to design and execute page formats, layouts and text composition, and to make typographical selections using computer graphics and other computer-assisted design programs.
- Graphic Communications, Other
- Graphic communications not listed above.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Printing Press Operators
- Median pay
- $45,780
- Hiring change through 2035
- −8.7%
- Job openings a year
- 12,100
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career ShrinkingPrepress Technicians and Workers
- Median pay
- $48,690
- Hiring change through 2035
- −15.3%
- Job openings a year
- 2,100
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career ShrinkingData Entry Keyers
- Median pay
- $41,340
- Hiring change through 2035
- −25.5%
- Job openings a year
- 7,700
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career ShrinkingSpecial Effects Artists and Animators
- Median pay
- $102,030
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.3%
- Job openings a year
- 4,200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingDesktop Publishers
- Median pay
- $55,290
- Hiring change through 2035
- −14.5%
- Job openings a year
- 300
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingEtchers and Engravers
- Median pay
- $43,310
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.7%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $32,608 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 44 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
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