Prepress Production, A.A.S.

The NWC Art Department’s Graphic Design Program prepares students for careers in the related fields of graphic design, web design, pre-press, and printing. The common core courses in the Graphic Design A.A.S. curriculum are designed to provide technical competency while developing individual strengths and interests.

The Associate of Applied Science in Prepress Production prepares students for careers in the related fields of design, print, prepress production, and technical support while also offering them experience in the related fields of graphic design and web design. The common core courses in the Graphic Design A.A.S. curriculum are designed to provide technical competency while developing individual strengths and interests.

No other aspect of the graphics industry has experienced the level of growth and change as electronic pre-press. This is a profession that most often works between the graphic design and printing departments. The pre-press professional is expected to have a full understanding of the printing process while knowing all the major graphics software packages used in graphic design and publishing professions. Members of the prepress community are often requested to repair or “tweak” files from designers that might otherwise result in an inferior product once on the printing press. This task is often referred to as “preflight.” Pre-press professionals must have a strong sense of graphic design, but also know how to prepare a printed piece to ensure the highest quality of reproduction while keeping production costs to a minimum.