DIVISION: Visual Arts and Media Studies
The Graphic Communications Technology Program at Pasadena City College teaches you skills that lead to employment in the screen printing, commercial printing, and publishing industries. Graduates of our program typically go on to pursue jobs as a screen printer, in their own business or as a production employee in a wide range of areas within the electronic and digital production areas. The Graphic Communications Technology classes emphasize instruction in the current technical skills needed to succeed in these areas, as well as in the problem-solving techniques that make a valuable and successful employee or business owner.
- Apparel Graphics & Printing – Occupational Skills Certificate
- Electronic Prepress – Occupational Skills Certificate
- Graphic Communications Technology – Computer Imaging and Composition – Certificate of Achievement, Associate in Science Degree
- Graphic Communications Technology – Screen Printing – Associate in Science Degree, Certificate of Achievement
- Screen Printing for Small Business – Occupational Skills Certificate
- Textile Printing – Occupational Skills Certificate
Courses
Transfer Credit: CSU
Introduction to printing and graphic arts. History of printing. Orientation to typesetting, camera, stripping and plates, presswork and bindery operations. Evaluation of printing processes: letterpress, gravure, screen printing, flexography, plateless printing and lithography. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture.
Transfer Credit: CSU
Hands-on training in screen meshes, tensioning and selection; direct emulsion stencil and exposure; printing and registration techniques for one, two and three color graphics for a variety of decal and adhesive materials. Right-reading, wrong-reading and front/back reading decals on a variety of substrates. Safety issues for water-based and solvent-based inks. Planning and organization of production- individually and in teams. High-quality graphic printing and techniques for small business sales and marketing. Required instructional trips. Total of 27 hours lecture and 81 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU
Theory and practical experience in production and quality control methods in a printing plant manufacturing situation. Projects in plant and department layout and organization. Maintenance and inventory control systems. Safety procedures. Applied organizational and management theory. New developments in the graphics arts industry. Required instructional trips. Total of 54 hours lecture.
Transfer Credit: CSU
Introduction to document production methods and digital imaging techniques required in the graphic communications technology industry. Introduction to system operations and typographic principles. Graphic computer systems operation, terminology, system components, and principles. Emphasis on document production using text and image components. Use of industry standard Postscript electronic publishing systems. Required instructional trips. Total of 54 hours lecture and 162 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU
Advanced document production methods and digital imaging techniques. Use of electronic publishing systems and software applications for image capture and manipulation as practiced in the graphic communications technology industry. Advanced system operation and typographic principles. Emphasis on document development using image processing systems. Required instructional trips. Total of 54 hours lecture and 162 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU
Proper use of document layout, illustration, and image editing software necessary to prepare files for transfer or digital imaging. Terminology, materials, and methods used in electronic prepress. Introduction to preflighting, imposing, trapping, and correcting files used in electronic prepress operation. Strategies for font and color management, re-purposing images for the production of plates and proofs suitable for use in various printing operations. Required instructional trips. Total of 27 hours lecture and 36 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU
Procedures using electronic prepress applications to eliminate or repair errors in digital files. Skills in multiple page document construction, imposition and trapping required in modern digital workflows. Advanced study in Postscript imaging requirements for document output or transfer required in the graphic communications field. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 36 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU
Graphic art skills, design, composition, printing and photographic processes. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Terminologies of the typesetting/typography of the lithographic trade; exchange values and appropriate applications of numerical systems. Basic characteristics of type: styles, classifications, compatibilities, uses for emphasis, copyfitting, proofreading, spacing and design considerations. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture.
Classification of papers, common paper terms and calculation of press sheet cuts. Manufacture and uses of lithographic inks. Common quality control devices. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture.
Theory and demonstration of bindery and finishing operations: paper cutting, folding devices, assembling processes, including gathering, collating and inserting. Common binding processes: adhesive binding, side binding, saddle binding, self covers, soft covers and case bound covers. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture.
Printing plant supervision and management techniques. Principles of sales, manufacturing, finance, trade customs, organizational patterns, personnel practices and estimating procedures. Safety procedures, quality control, production scheduling, computer applications and technical developments. Required instructional trips. Recommended enrollment in or completion of GRFX 010. Total of 36 hours lecture.
History and industry overview. Safe use of inks, solvents and equipment. Process camera operation and photographic techniques for screen printing. Preparation of mechanicals using tight registration and printing on standard and unusual surfaces. Required instructional trips. No credit if taken after GRFX 132B or 134B. Total of 27 hours lecture and 81 hours laboratory.
Advanced work with color and design for commercial screen printing. Halftones and other advanced camera projects. Posters and ads. Required instructional trips. Total of 27 hours lecture and 81 hours laboratory.
Production of screen printing using the semi-automatic press and one-arm squeegee. Advanced work incorporating several stencil and/or ink systems. Principles of setup and operation of the small screen printing business. Required instructional trips. Total of 27 hours lecture and 81 hours laboratory.
A basic course for the beginning screen printing student. Emphasis on artwork preparation, registration systems for multiple colors, screen selection and preparation for simple textile applications. Use of four-color rotary press, flash and belt dryers, pin systems for accuracy of registration. Safe use of materials and equipment. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Advanced screen printing. Mesh selection, press set-up, registration and printing of exceedingly complex graphics, with four-color process on textiles; four-to six-color spot and index printing; special effects inks and sublimation dyes. Advanced use of heat press, dye sub printer. Planning and organization of all aspects of production individually and in teams. High-end and commercial printing on textile substrates. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Basic commercial production skills: hands-on training in screen meshes, tensioning and selection; direct emulsion stencil techniques and exposure; printing and registration techniques for one, two and three color graphics; single color halftone printing with water-based inks on paper and board substrates, some plastics. Planning and organization of all aspects of production individually and in teams. Point-of-purchase graphics, posters, flyers for advertising. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture and 108 hours laboratory.
Advanced production skills: in-depth work with halftone printing, including duotones and four-color process printing; four- to six- color spot printing; use of water-based and solvent-based vinyl and enamel inks. Emphasis on registration techniques for more complex printing work, including set-up and use of semi-automatic press. Planning and organization of all aspects of production individually and in teams. Point-of-purchase graphics, posters, flyers for advertising. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture and 108 hours laboratory.
Advanced printing techniques for plastics, including electrostatic vinyl, adhesive vinyl, rigid plastics, glass and wood. Four-color process, sublimation dye printing, subsurface printing, etching for commercial signage and graphics; table printing and use of semi-automatic press. Safety issues for use of water-based and solvent-based inks. Planning and organization of all aspects of production individually and in teams. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture and 108 hours laboratory.
Production, using the semi-automatic press and one-arm squeegee. Printing modular design advanced work incorporating several stencil and/or ink systems. Discussions on setting up and operation of a small screen printing business. Required instructional trips. Total of 54 hours lecture and 108 hours laboratory.
Basic entrepreneur/printing class: hands-on training in screen meshes, tension and selection; conventional and non-conventional techniques for stencil application and exposure; printing and registration of one-, two- and three-color graphics; single-color halftone printing. Water-based and solvent-based inks on traditional and non-traditional two- and three-dimensional surfaces. Planning and organization of all aspects of production individually and in teams. Graphic printing for commercial sales and marketing. Required instructional trips. Total of 27 hours lecture and 81 hours laboratory.
Advanced entrepreneurial: high-end printing of duotones and four-color process printing; four-to six- spot color printing; wide variety of substrates using water-based, vinyl and enamel inks. Establishing a web sales presence. Planning and organization of all aspects of production individually and in teams. High-quality graphic printing and techniques for small business sales and marketing. Required instructional trips. Total of 27 hours lecture and 81 hours laboratory.
Design, layout and preparation of film and mechanicals for production printing. Correct selection and preparation of screens for commercial work. Establish proper printing procedures for a variety of substrates and ink systems used in the fine arts or industrial setting. Emphasis on proper registration of multiple colors and quality of printed goods. Safe use of materials and equipment. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Advanced concepts of layout and design as applied to preparation of mechanicals and screens for advanced production printing. Emphasis on precise registration of multiple colors, quality of ink application to substrate and printing of fine detail. Discussion of current trends in the industry. Use of the 4-color rotary textile printer, belt dryer and semi-automatic press for high quality production. Safe use of materials and equipment. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Beginning computer techniques class: evaluation, importing, scanning and correction of images for screen printing. Line art; basic single color halftones in positive and negative; making and trapping of spot colors; appropriate use of lettering and fonts for textile and flatstock printing applications. Effective use of output devices and substrates for screen transfer. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
A specialized course designed to prepare students for screen printing careers in the production of posters, signs, and other flat stock. Techniques and procedures for printing by hand on tables and on a semi-automatic press. Use of letterpress equipment for poster production. Advanced techniques in design for impact, volume production, and accurate registration of multiple color work. Safe use of materials and equipment. Required instructional trips. Total of 27 hours lecture and 45 hours laboratory.
Evaluation of photo offset lithography from press to bindery. History of printing, types of sheet-fed duplicators/presses and configurations of web-fed equipment. Characteristics of fountain solutions, feeding, dampening, inking and delivery systems. Paper and ink considerations for offset lithography. Common bindery procedures related to offset printing. Required interviews, demonstrations and instructional trips. No credit if taken after GRFX 162 or 260. Total of 36 hours lecture.
The proper use and functions of on-demand printing systems. Operation, programming and running of the DocuTech and digital color publishing systems. Overview of the size, scope and career opportunities found in the printing and publishing industry. Use and selection of papers, bindery methods, computers, safety practices and finishing operations required in the on-demand publishing field. Training in customer service techniques, job planning and quality aspects used in this segment of the printing field. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Digital imaging techniques for production of large format graphics, including banners and vehicle wraps. File preparation, troubleshooting, Raster Imaging Processor issues, work flow concepts. Estimating, production planning, and material selection are also covered. Required field trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Introduction to desktop publishing. Basic DTP components. Written, visual and computer skills used to create and produce original documents specific to the student's major. Overview of career opportunities by faculty from various disciplines. May not be taken concurrently with or after JOUR 199. Total of 36 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Theory and practice in planning for print production. Estimating for printing including art preparation, photographic procedures, image assembly, press selection and finishing methods. Analysis of printing orders from sales through invoicing, use of trade customs, computers in estimating and sales management for the printing industry. Proper uses of forms, pricing books and estimating standards for the printing industry. Total of 90 hours lecture.
Introduction to document creation for print, web, or other final product. Image acquisition, assessment, editing, correction using programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Creation of digital documents using programs such as Adobe InDesign and Dreamweaver. Exposure to client, production team, and outside vendor relationships. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Intermediate digital document production. Image acquisition, assessment, editing and correction using programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Automated photo processing and editing techniques. Creation of digital documents using programs such as Adobe InDesign for print and e-publication, including interactive documents. Exposure to client, production team and outside vendor issues. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Intermediate digital document production for print, or other final product. Image acquisition, assessment, editing, and correction using programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Automated photo processing and editing techniques. Creation of digital documents using programs such as Adobe InDesign for print and e-publication, including interactive documents. Working with client, production team and outside vendors. Required instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
An introduction to color theory, separation methods and productions techniques using the electronic scanner, desktop technology and photo-manipulation software. Principles of analog and digital color proofing. Examination of color vision, color calibration, evaluation, color originals, correction methods and printing production standards employed in the printing field. Review of scanner formats, digital color systems, and imagesetting for the color service bureau and printing industry. Required instructional trips. Total of 54 hours lecture.
Training in the proper techniques to adjust and modify images based upon the workflow and output requirements using PhotoShop software tools. Study of color theory models, separation requirements, resolution issues, proofing methods and file formats necessary in a digital workflow. Correct techniques in the operation of both the hardware and software of a flatbed scanners. Practice in the correction for quality reproduction of scanned images. Instruction in the electronic masking techniques in conjunction with the use of channels, masks and layers for image-editing, special effects and color correction as required in the printing industry. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 108 hours laboratory.
Advanced techniques focusing on color correction, image editing and image preparation using PhotoShop application software. Instruction on digital editing methods to achieve color enhancements required in the production of printing images. Training in advanced PhotoShop applications for masking, the use of channels or layers as required by various digital-imaging systems. Use of color management systems and the evaluation of digital color proofing systems. Required instructional trips. Total of 18 hours lecture and 108 hours laboratory.
Production experience working with a wide variety of jobs. Individualized production training on live printing jobs. Deadlines, quality levels and production responsibilities expected from employees outside of the educational environment. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Production experience working with a wide variety of jobs. Individualized production training on live printing jobs. Deadlines, quality levels and production responsibilities expected from employees outside of the educational environment. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Production experience working with a wide variety of jobs. Individualized production training on live printing jobs. Deadlines, quality levels and production responsibilities expected from employees outside of the educational environment. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Production experience working with a wide variety of jobs. Individualized production training on live printing jobs. Deadlines, quality levels and production responsibilities expected from employees outside of the educational environment. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Production experience working with a wide variety of jobs. Individualized production training on live printing jobs. Deadlines, quality levels and production responsibilities expected from employees outside of the educational environment. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Production experience working with a wide variety of jobs. Individualized production training on live printing jobs. Deadlines, quality levels and production responsibilities expected from employees outside of the educational environment. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Production experience working with a wide variety of jobs. Individualized production training on live printing jobs. Deadlines, quality levels and production responsibilities expected from employees outside of the educational environment. Total of 18 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.