Career Opportunities in Printing Technology

Sanjay Bharti 

Print communication is one of the strongest and powerful media of mass communication which is growing very rapidly. Books, newspapers and magazines come to mind most often when people think about printed products. Everyone is familiar with such products. Print is power. According to famous saying "Books live longer than author himself" and "Book is an indispensable document in its own field" also establishes the importance of print.
The printed material either book, magazine or newspaper has a strong impact on society and plays a key role in nation building. We find the impact of print in every sphere of our life and plays crucial role in educating the people and to provide them clear picture of what is going on in and around the world. The invention of movable type and printing press by Johannes Gutenberg has actually revolutionized print media. This invention transformed the way the world received printed material.
Printing industry is an industry in which technical skills holds the prime importance. Each person engaged in performing typesetting, designing, pasting, plate making, image setting, camera work, printing and binding has a specific and specialized role to play and perform for the final output.
Career in Printing
Printing Technology is one of the most flourishing sectors of the country. The young generation of today is seen choosing a career in print media as working in this sector gives promising opportunities to stride ahead very fast. But jobs in the print media also demand lot of hard work and patience. Jobs for printing technologist are available in advertising agencies, newspapers/magazines, government presses, machine manufacturers, packaging industries, book printers and even more in private commercial press as technology consultant.
Opportunities are available in the area of:
*Publishing houses under central and state govt.
*Printing Presses under central and state govt.
*Commercial printing presses doing Offset, Flexography, Gravure and Screen printing
*Publishing houses in private sector
*Pre-press solution for printing Industry
*Designing and digital printing
*Security printing
*Software solution for print industry
*Electronic publishing
*Color management solution
*Packaging
*Print finishing and converting
*Machine manufacturing /service
*Marketing/management executive
*Research and development
*Total quality control
The printing industry is a fast growing industry in India. There are thousands of quality printing houses in major metros in India. Almost all govt. departments/ autonomous bodies engaged in printing/publishing activities like Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Indian Council of Historical Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Council of Philosophical Research, Indira Gandhi National Open University, National Institute of Open Schooling, Sahitya Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, National Book Trust, National Council of Educational Research and Training, National Institute of Science Communication & Information Resources, Publications Division, Sahitya Akademi, Zoological Survey of India, Bureau of Indian Standard, Employment News, Survey of India, All Universities, All State Textbook Corporations, Trade Fair Authority of India, Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd., Govt of India Presses, State Council of Educational Research and Training, Joint Cipher Bureau, Parliament of India, Offices of Registrar General of India, National Museum, Directorate of Printing and Stationery, Indian Institute of Mass Communication etc.
A Career in printing gives an opportunity to work on various positions like; General Manager, Registrar, Director, Professor, Reader, lecturer, Consultants, Head, Chief Production Officer, Asstt. Director (Production), Technical Officer, Printing Officer, Manager Printing, Supervisor, Publication Officer. Apart from these positions, there are many more positions.
This sector has immense employment opportunities for the new generation. A printing technologist can get job in newspapers, magazines and advertising agencies, government departments, banks and private publication houses. He can be in the marketing and sales department of companies, which supply raw materials for printing and photographic films. Another option is teaching where jobs exist in schools, college and polytechnics offering vocational, diploma, degree and master degree courses. A print technologist in the production department of a newspaper or a magazine starts his career as Production supervisor and can go up to the level of General Manager.
Students after successful completion of printing technology courses can get job in printing companies and media houses across countries. Generally, the students are recruited through campus interviews by the major advertising agencies, newspapers/magazines, machine manufacturers, packaging industries. All leading publishers like Prentice Hall, Macmillan, and Oxford University Press, Rachna Sagar, Moti Lal Banarsi Das, S Chand and Co. Ltd, Sage Publications, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, Dainik Jagran, Thomson Press, Oxford University Press, U-flex, Moser-baer, Quark Express, Macmillian, Scholastic, USIS, The Week, Kodak, Hewlett Packard, India Today Group, ITC India Ltd., Xerox, Fuji, Technova, Heidelberg (India) Ltd., R-Pack, Sicpa, Microink, TATA Press, Thomson Digital, Paper Product Limited, Essel, Propack, recruit students through campus interview. Some students get job in multi-national firms also. Reputed software companies like Adobe, TCS, Infosys, Wipro and IBM etc also recruit printing technologists in various capacities. The printing technology courses are being offered in India at four levels i.e. Diploma, Degree, Master's Degree and Ph.D. which are offered at university, institutes and polytechnic level. The eligibility for admission in Printing Technology Courses are given as under:
Under new initiatives of the present Government, B. Voc. Programme in Printing Technology has been started in many colleges/institutions. The target group for such courses is largely marginalized youth who are seeking skill based educational courses to enhance earning capabilities and thereby improving livelihood conditions. The B. Voc. Programme is designed by the UGC as per National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) of Ministry of Skill Development emphasizing on skill based education in consultation with National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC).
The Industrial Training Institutes (ITI's) are offering certificate courses in the area of plate making, offset machine operation, screen printing, camera operation, desk top publishing and book binding. These courses are designed in a way so that the students acquire adequate knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects to get job at shop floor level in the industry.
During their studies, students learn the detailed aspects of printing processes, printing material, pre-press technologies, binding and finishing techniques, business management, entrepreneurship development, cost estimation etc. The Bachelors and Masters programmes are of multi-disciplinary nature, covering subjects like; Mechanical, Information Technology, Electrical, Electronics, Computers, Chemical, Total Quality Management, Operation Management, Organization Behaviour, Project Management, Technology Management, Security Printing in addition to Physics and Chemistry. Printing studies involve not only processes and technologies but also gives thorough knowledge about ink, paper and other consumables.
Printing jobs extend over a number of sectors. Apart from offset printing, there are large number of printing houses engaged in Offset printing, flexography and gravure printing. Qualified printing professionals are also given placements in printing machine manufacturing houses and consumable producing companies. Now-a-days most of the printing houses are having modern offset printing machines for the production/printing of their publications and these offset presses engaged qualified printing technologist at different levels as shown below. After getting initial orientation training to suit the specific needs of the employer, they will be able to fulfill the employer's requirements.
*Supervisory personal at the middle-management level for shop floor supervision of large presses.
*Works Managers, Production Manager and production executives for the modernized commercial presses, newspaper presses, Government presses, publishers and specialist printers.
*Engineers for printing machinery manufacture and printing materials manufacture, both in the design office and factory shop-floor.
*Maintenance engineers for implant maintenance in large printing establishments.
*Sales/maintenance engineers for printing machinery manufacturers, and sales/marketing executives for modernized printing presses.
*Faculty positions in diploma and Degree level printing institute's courses in Printing Technology.
*Production executives/managers, Co-coordinator in advertising agencies.
The annual growth rate and the demand for qualified print professional for the next two decades is very promising.
 
S.N.-1
Courses- Diploma in Printing
Admission Criteria- 10th Pass with Mathematics and Science
Duration- 3 years
 
S.N.-2
Courses- B. Tech/B.E. in Printing/ Packaging Technology
Admission Criteria- 12th Pass with Physics, mathematics as compulsory  subject along with chemistry, computer sc./Biotech./biology subject and admission on the basis of merit of AIEEE or State level engineering competitive exam. OR diploma holders can get admission in 2nd year directly through LEET.
Duration- 4 years
 
S.N.-3
Courses- B. Vocational in Printing Technology/Printing and Publishing
Admission Criteria- 12th Pass with any stream  
Duration- 3 years
 
S.N.-4
Courses- M. Tech/M.E. in Printing Technology
Admission Criteria- B.Tech/B.E. in Printing/Packaging Technology
Duration- 2 years
 
S.N.-5
Courses- Ph.D. in Printing
Admission Criteria- As per ordinance of the universities Technology
Duration- 2-4 years        
 
The colleges and institutions in India offer diploma, Degree, Master Degree and PhD programs in Printing Technology. The leading institutes in India conducting Printing Technology programmes are:
Universities/Institute offering Ph.D. in Printing Technology
1 Anna University, College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai-600025
2.Guru Jambeshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar-125 001, Haryana
3Jadavpur University, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata-700032, West Bengal
4.Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka
5Pune Vidyarthi Griha's (PVG's) College of Engineering and Technology, 44, Vidyanagari, Shivdarshan Parvati, Pune-411009, Maharashtra
Universities/Institutions offering Master's Degree in Printing Technology
1.Anna University, College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai-600025
2.Guru Jambeshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar-125 001, Haryana
3.Jadavpur University, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata-700032, West Bengal
4.Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka
5.OM Institute of Technology and Management, Hisar, Haryana
6.Pune Vidyarthi Griha's (PVG's) College of Engineering and Technology, 44, Vidyanagari, Shivdarshan Parvati, Pune-411009, Maharashtra
7.Somany Institute Of Technology and Management, Rewari, Haryana
Universities/Institutions offering Bachelor's Degree in Printing Technology
1.Anna University, College Of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai-600025
2.Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641043
3.BMS College of Engineering, P.O. Box No : 1908, Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore - 560 019
4.Calicut University: Institute of Engineering and Technology, Malappuram, Calicut, Kerala
5.Guru Jambeshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar-125 001, Haryana
6.Jadavpur University, Faculty Of Engineering and Technology, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata-700032, West Bengal
7.JNTU College Of Engineering, Kukatpally, Hyderabad-500872, Andhra Pradesh
8.Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, B-38 Vikas Bhavan, Opp Dak Bhavan, Press Complex, Zone-1, M.P. Nagar, Bhopal-462011
9.Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka
10.OM Institute of Technology and Management, Hisar, Haryana
11.Pune Vidyarthi Griha's (PVG's) College of Engineering and Technology, 44, Vidyanagari, Shivdarshan Parvati, Pune-411009, Maharashtra
12.Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana
13.Somany Institute of Technology and Management, Rewari, Haryana
14.Singhania University, Pacheri Bari, Jhunjhunu ( Rajasthan)
15.Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), V.N. Purav Marg, Deonar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400088
16.VPGR Institute of Technology, Kasturibai Nagar, Adyar, Tamil Nadu
Universities/Institutions offering B. Voc. in Printing Technology
1.Derozio Memorial College, Parganas-700136 West Bengal
2.Jayasingpur College, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
3.Kalindi College, University of Delhi, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi-110008
4.Khandesh College Education Society's Moolji Jaitha College, Jila Peth , Jalgaon, Maharashtra
5.KRT Arts, BH Commerce and AM Science College, Shivaji Nagar, Gangapur Road, Nashik, Maharashtra
6.Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, Punjab
7.Pusa Institute of Technology, under Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi110012
8.Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), V.N. Purav Marg, Deonar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400088
Institutes offering Diploma in Printing Technology
1.Department of Printing Technology, Pusa Institute of Technology, Pusa, New Delhi - 110 002.
2.Department of Printing Technology, Kalaniketan, Jabalpur (MP)
3.Department of Printing Technology, Govt Polytechnic, Gulzar Bagh, Patna -7, Bihar
4.Department of Printing Technology, Govt. Polytechnic, Gandhi Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
5.Department of Printing Technology, Institute of printing technology, Shoranur, Kerala
6.Don Bosco School of Printing, Okhla Road, New Delhi - 110 025
7.Government Institute of Printing Technology, East Nehru Nagar, Secunderabad.
8.Government Polytechnic College, Department of Printing Tech, Makhupura, Ajmer, Rajasthan
9.Government Institute of Printing Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka
10.Graphic Arts Technology & Education,12 Shree Mills, Mumbai-Agra Road, Kurla, Mumbai - 400 070, Maharashtra
11.Institute of Printing Technology, Sivakasi - 626 123 (Tamil Nadu)
12.Institute of Printing Technology, 87, Kamaraj Road, Sivakasi - 626 123 (TN)
13.Ingole Institute of Printing Technology, 272, Central Bazar Road, New Ramaspeth, Nagpur - 440 010, Maharashtra
14.Institute of Printing Technology, Chennai, (TN)
15.Institute of Printing Technology, Hyderabad, (AP)
16.Maharashtra Mudran Parishad's Institute of Printing Technology and Research, Plot-3, Sector-11, Khanda Colony, Balbharathi Marg, Near Railway Crossing, New Panvel (W)- 410206, Maharashtra, India.
17.Maharashtra Institute of Printing Technology, 1786, Sadashiv Peth, Pune, (Maharashtra)
18.NR Institute of Printing Technology, Teliar Ganj, Allahabad - 4, (UP)
19.Regional Institute of Printing Technology, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal.
20.Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts, 22 A, Taylors Road, Chennai - 600 010, (TN)
21.School of Printing Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka
22.Southern Regional Institute of Printing Technology, Adyar, Chennai - 600 113 (TN)
23.Thomson Press Training Centre, Thomson Press, Delhi-Mathura Road, Faridabad
24.Times Institute of Printing Management, Times of India Press, Opp. VT Station, Mumbai, Maharashtra
25.Western Regional Institute of Printing Technology, JJ School of Arts Campus, Opp VT Station Mumbai, Maharashtra
(the lists are indicative only)
It is evident from the fact that print has the power to influence the society and Nation as a whole. The growth rate in GDP has increased the paper consumption per capita. Paper consumption and press out put shows the wealth, civilization and economic power of the country. Today, with the increasing trend towards digitization and computerization of the media and explosion of internet has created doubts about the future of print, but the fact is that print will remain forever. It is evergreen. Hence, the future prospects for the printing technologists are very bright as there are immense opportunities awaiting for this discipline. Qualified printing professionals will be in demand in the coming years.
The author is an Assistant Professor in Printing Technology, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi.
E-mail: sunnyapp24@gmail.com
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