Executive Counsellor Guild

PRINTING OVERVIEW

The printing industry prints products ranging from newspapers, magazines, and books to brochures, labels, newsletters, postcards, memo pads, business order forms, checks, maps, T-shirts, and packaging.

The industry also consists of establishments that provide related services to printers, such as embossing, binding, finishing, and prepress services.

Commercial lithographic printing establishments, which print newspaper inserts, catalogs, pamphlets, and advertisements, make up the largest segment of the industry, accounting for about 40 percent of employment and 32 percent of total establishments.

Establishments offering primarily digital printing, which is the most technologically advanced method of printing constitutes the smallest segment of the industry - about 3 percent of total employment. Much of the work of this segment is characterized by low volume, often done by very small shops or freelance workers.

Another segment of the printing industry is quick printing. Quick printing establishments generally provide short-run printing and copying with fast turnaround times.

Printing is a large industry composed of many shops that vary in size. More than two of every three printing shops employ 10 or fewer workers. These small printing shops often are referred to as "job shops," because what they print is determined by the needs of their customers.

U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Provides overview of the printing industry, including the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, training and advancement, and outlook.

Online Resources:

International Association of Printing House Craftsmen
www.iaphc.org
An international organization dedicated to individuals in the printing and graphic arts industry for the purpose of self-development, their companies' success, and the enhancement of the printing and graphic arts industry in society.

Business.com
http://www.business.com/directory/media_and_entertainment/publishing/
printing/associations
Provides links to printing associations and organizations nationwide.

Screen-printing and Graphic Imaging Association International
www.sgia.org
Members are center stage in the specialty imaging world. Screen printing, digital printing, embroidery and pad printing are their primary imaging technologies, and they use them to create products or add value to existing products. SGIA members create products like point-of-purchase displays, signs, banners and advertisements. They also enhance existing products such as garments, containers, vehicles, product identification and compact discs.

Digital Printing & Imaging Association
www.dpia.org
Digital imaging is the future of the graphic communications industry. Members of the Digital Printing & Imaging Association (DPI) are at the forefront of companies that embrace the promise of new technology and play an important part in creating an ongoing imaging revolution. From digital printers to screen printers to photo labs; textile printers to reprographic shops, the benefit of DPI membership is the same: direct access to the information you need to keep your company strong.

Promotional Products Association International
www.ppa.org
Membership includes firms in the U.S., Canada and throughout the world. Most member companies are suppliers and distributors of promotional products and services, including specialty advertising, business gifts, premiums, incentives, awards, prizes and commemoratives.

Technical Association of the Graphic Arts
www.taga.org
The only global professional technical association for the graphic arts industries. TAGA, which has over 900 individual members worldwide, also maintains the industry's best permanent set of technical papers and abstracts. TAGA serves the CTO, CIO, and R&D management personnel of printers, publishers, and premedia companies, as well as engineers and scientists employed by graphic arts systems and equipment providers, ink manufacturers, and paper manufacturers.

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