Major: Printing Management
Getting your hands dirty is the norm in the printing business. But as a printing management major, you’ll focus more on the cogs of commerce than the gears of the printing press.
That’s not to say you’ll never go home with ink-stained hands, because some of your classes will involve production work. But the emphasis here is on management -- project planning, budgeting, and supervising a team. If you’re a big-picture person who likes to run the show, this major could be the one for you.
Printing management majors study the technical aspects of printing along with managerial functions such as pricing, scheduling, and supervision.
Did You Know?
- Printing technologies change so fast that the techniques you learn as a freshman might be obsolete by the time you graduate.
Are You Ready To...?
- Learn the nuts and bolts of print production
- Tour printing plants
- Build managerial skills
- Study accounting and cost control
- Complete an internship
It Helps to Be...
A natural leader with a passion for publishing. Good math skills will also come in handy: cost analysis and budgeting is a big part of management.
College Checklist
- Is the program accredited by the Accrediting Council on Collegiate Graphic Communication?
- What opportunities will you have to learn on the latest printing machinery and technology?
- What is the student-to-teacher ratio? Make sure you’ll get the attention you need.
- Does the school work with local printing businesses to provide internships?
Did You Know?
- Wages in the printing industry are high compared to other manufacturing fields.
Course Spotlight
By the time you finish a class in printing production management, you may be dreaming of opening your own shop. In fact, it’s possible that your prof will ask you to write a proposal for a printing production facility.
Expect to go into a lot of detail, including a floor plan, equipment lists, personnel requirements, and budget. You may also get some hands-on experience with software designed especially for managing print production.
