The Print University

New training focused on the fundamentals of print and graphic communications is now available as a no-cost benefit to all PIAG members. PIAG has licensed more than 60 on-demand courses and educational tracks developed by print industry veterans and business consultants at The Print University. 

Whether a new employee is hired from outside the industry or a current employee needs to learn about a new segment, these short, digestible videos provide an introduction to a wide variety of subjects within the industry. 

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Content Areas

Click on a content area below to view all videos within that respective learning module (member log in required).

Intro to Production Printing Print Workflow and Processes 

Inside the Print Shop
Operations of a PSP

Selling Strategies

Vertical Markets for Print
Introduction to Finishing Market Update

Itemized List of Videos by Content Area

Below is a list of videos that fall within each content area.

Intro to Production Printing
  • Brief History of Printing
  • What is Production Printing?
  • Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Print 101: Inkjet
  • Print 101: Gravure
  • Print 101: Flexography
  • Print 101: Screen Printing
  • Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
Print Workflow and Processes
  • Preflighting 101
  • Imposition 101
  • Primer: Software & Functions
  • Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Primer: Design Considerations
  • Job Onboarding
  • Estimating, Quoting, & Ticketing
  • Preparing Data Part 1
  • File Preparation (Prepress)
  • Proofing and Approval
  • Digital Front Ends
  • Designing for Mailings
  • Preparing Data Part 2
  • Datastreams
  • Tips for Walking Your Workflow
Inside the Print Shop
  • Commercial Printers
  • In-plant Printers
  • Direct Mail Printers
  • Transactional Printers
  • Publication Printers
  • Packaging Converters
  • Sign Printer
Operations of a PSP
  • Commercial Printers
  • Sign Shops
  • In-plant Printers
  • Direct Mail Printers
  • Transactional Printers
  • Publication Printers
  • Packaging Converters
  • Control the Chaos of Costs
Selling Strategies
  • Commercial Printers
  • In-plant Printers
  • Direct Mail Printers
  • Transactional Printers
  • Sign Shops
  • Franchise Printers
Vertical Markets for Print
  • Education
  • Financial and Insurance
  • Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Manufacturing
  • Non-profit
  • Government
Introduction to Finishing
  • Folding
  • The World of Finishing
  • Embellishments
  • Trimming and Cutting
  • Mailing
  • Binding Methods
  • Converting
  • Finishing for Wide Format
Market Update
  • 2023 Q1 Market Update

Suggested Learning Tracks

Below are suggested learning tracks based on type of printer and common roles within a print service provider.

This course track gives a broad exposure to new employees.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods

Choose the most appropriate printing technologies based on your operations

  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Gravure
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Flexography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Screen Printing

Choose the most appropriate type of printer based on your operations

  • Inside the Print Shop - Commercial Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop -  In-plant Printers 
  • Inside the Print Shop - Direct Mail Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Transactional Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Publication Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Packaging Converters
  • Inside the Print Shop - Sign Printer
  • Operations of a PSP - Commercial Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Sign Shops
  • Operations of a PSP - In-plant Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Direct Mail Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Transactional Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Publication Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Packaging Converters
This course track provides an overview for sales representatives on the technologies, processes, and key market opportunities for printing.
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Education
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Financial and Insurance
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Manufacturing
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Non-profit
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing 
  • Introduction to Finishing - Embellishments
  • Introduction to Finishing - Mailing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods

Choose the most appropriate printing technologies based on your operations

  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography 
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography 
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Gravure
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Flexography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Screen Printing

Choose the most appropriate type of printer based on your operations

  • Inside the Print Shop - Commercial Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - In-plant Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Direct Mail Printers 
  • Inside the Print Shop - Transactional Printers 
  • Inside the Print Shop - Publication Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Packaging Converters
  • Inside the Print Shop - Sign Printer 
  • Operations of a PSP - Commercial Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Sign Shops
  • Operations of a PSP - In-plant Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Direct Mail Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Transactional Printers 
  • Operations of a PSP - Publication Printers 
  • Operations of a PSP - Packaging Converters

Choose the most appropriate type of printer based on your operations

  • Selling Strategies - Commercial Printers
  • Selling Strategies - In-plant Printers
  • Selling Strategies - Direct Mail Printers
  • Selling Strategies - Transactional Printers 
  • Selling Strategies - Sign Shops 
  • Selling Strategies - Franchise Printers
This course track gives a broad exposure for customer service representatives (CSRs).
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Estimating, Quoting, & Ticketing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - File preparation (Prepress)
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods

Choose the most appropriate printing technologies based on your operations

  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Gravure
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Flexography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Screen Printing

Choose the most appropriate type of printer based on your operations

  • Inside the Print Shop - Commercial Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop -  In-plant Printers 
  • Inside the Print Shop - Direct Mail Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Transactional Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Publication Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Packaging Converters
  • Inside the Print Shop - Sign Printer
  • Operations of a PSP - Commercial Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Sign Shops
  • Operations of a PSP - In-plant Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Direct Mail Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Transactional Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Publication Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Packaging Converters
This course track provides the framework, toolset, and processes used in prepress to support various outputs.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Software & Functions
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Estimating, Quoting, & Ticketing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preparing Data Part 1
  • Print Workflow and Processes - File preparation (Prepress)
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Proofing and Approval
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Digital Front Ends
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Designing for Mailings
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preparing Data Part 2
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Embellishments
  • Introduction to Finishing - Triming and Cutting
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods

Choose the most appropriate printing technologies based on your operations

  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Gravure
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Flexography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Screen Printing
This course track provides an overview of printing processes and primary way of finishing or converting the print into its final product for delivery.
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Embellishments
  • Introduction to Finishing - Trimming and Cutting
  • Introduction to Finishing - Mailing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods

Add for Wide Format finishing

  • Introduction to Finishing - Finishing for Wide Format

Add for Packaging converting

  • Introduction to Finishing - Converting
These learning modules are most relevant to commercial printers.
Total length is approximately 9.6 hours.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Inside the Print Shop - Commercial Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Commercial Printers
  • Selling Strategies - Commercial Printers
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Financial and Insurance
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Manufacturing
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Non-profit
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Government
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Software & Functions
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Estimating, Quoting, & Ticketing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preparing Data Part 1
  • Print Workflow and Processes - File preparation (Prepress)
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Proofing and Approval
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Digital Front Ends
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Designing for Mailings
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preparing Data Part 2
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Embellishments
  • Introduction to Finishing - Trimming and Cutting
  • Introduction to Finishing - Mailing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods
These learning modules are most relevant to in-plant printers.
Total length is approximately 8.8 hours.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Inside the Print Shop - In-plant Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - In-plant Printers
  • Selling Strategies - In-plant Printers
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Education
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Financial and Insurance
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Manufacturing
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Non-profit
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Government
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Software & Functions
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Print Workflow and Processes - File preparation (Prepress)
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Proofing and Approval
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Digital Front Ends
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Designing for Mailings
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Trimming and Cutting
  • Introduction to Finishing - Mailing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods
These learning modules are most relevant to direct mail printers.
Total length is approximately 9.3 hours.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Inside the Print Shop - Direct Mail Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Direct Mail Printers
  • Selling Strategies - Transactional Printers
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Financial and Insurance
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Non-profit
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Government
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Software & Functions
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preparing Data Part 1
  • Print Workflow and Processes - File preparation (Prepress)
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Proofing and Approval
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Digital Front Ends
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Designing for Mailings
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preparing Data Part 2
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Embellishments
  • Introduction to Finishing - Trimming and Cutting
  • Introduction to Finishing - Mailing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods
These learning modules are most relevant to transaction printers.
Total length is approximately 8.75 hours.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Inside the Print Shop - Direct Mail Printers
  • Inside the Print Shop - Transactional Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Direct Mail Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Transactional Printers
  • Selling Strategies - Transactional Printers
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Financial and Insurance
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Government
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Software & Functions
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preparing Data Part 1
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Proofing and Approval
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Designing for Mailings
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preparing Data Part 2
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Datastreams
  • Introduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Mailing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods
These learning modules are most relevant to publication printers.
Total length is approximately 7.1 hours.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Gravure
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Inside the Print Shop - Publication Printers
  • Operations of a PSP - Publication Printers
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Software & Functions
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Estimating, Quoting, & Ticketing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - File preparation (Prepress)
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Proofing and Approval
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Digital Front Ends
  • ntroduction to Finishing - Folding 
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Trimming and Cutting
  • Introduction to Finishing - Binding Methods
These learning modules are most relevant to wide format printers.
Total length is approximately 7.5 hours.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Screen Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Inside the Print Shop - Sign Printer
  • Operations of a PSP - Sign Shops
  • Selling Strategies - Sign Shops
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Education
  • Vertical Markets for Print - Financial and Insurance
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Manufacturing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Software & Functions
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Estimating, Quoting, & Ticketing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - File preparation (Prepress)
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Proofing and Approval
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Digital Front Ends
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Trimming and Cutting
  • Introduction to Finishing - Finishing for Wide Format
These learning modules are most relevant to packaging converters.
Total length is approximately 7.9 hours.
  • Intro to Production Printing - Brief History of Printing 
  • Intro to Production Printing - What is Production Printing?
  • Intro to Production Printing - Analog vs. Digital Printing
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Electrophotography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Offset Lithography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Inkjet
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Gravure
  • Intro to Production Printing - Print 101: Flexography
  • Intro to Production Printing - Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon
  • Inside the Print Shop - Packaging Converters
  • Operations of a PSP - Packaging Converters
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Vertical Markets for Print -  Manufacturing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Preflighting 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Imposition 101
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Software & Functions
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Key Workflow Processes
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Primer: Design Considerations
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Job Onboarding
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Estimating, Quoting, & Ticketing
  • Print Workflow and Processes - File preparation (Prepress)
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Proofing and Approval
  • Print Workflow and Processes - Digital Front Ends
  • Introduction to Finishing - The World of Finishing
  • Introduction to Finishing - Trimming and Cutting
  • Introduction to Finishing - Converting

Meet the Moderators
Ryan McAbee
Principal at Pixel Dot Consulting

Part of The Print University and the principal at Pixel Dot Consulting, bringing a technology focus and 20+ years of experience in the production printing industry.

 

Pat McGrew
Principal at McGrew Group

Part of The Print University and the Managing Director at McGrewGroup, uses her decades technical and marketing experience to lead the industry toward optimized business processes and production workflows.

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