The graphics industry today
Where are the jobs, and where is the trade heading
The graphics industry has changed markedly over the years. Paper newspapers take up less space than before, but at the same time new areas have emerged — packaging, signs, large format and personal printing. For a graphics technician, this means the trade is alive, but it looks different than for a generation ago.
§Where do you work?
As a graphic technician you find work in print shops and graphic production companies but also in companies that manufacture their own printed materials. Workplaces range from smaller specialist print shops to large production facilities.
- 01Printing companies that make books, magazines, brochures and leaflets.
- 02Packaging companies that print boxes, labels, and packaging.
- 03Sign and large-format production for banners, signs and exhibitions.
- 04Textile printing and other specialized printing forms.
- 05Newspapers and Magazines as Well as Public and Private Companies with Own Production.
§A trade that brings together several crafts
Graphic technician is a trade that brings several formerly independent crafts together — including printing, finishing and bookbinding. It makes you versatile: you can both run a printing press and finish the product afterwards, and that is a strength in a modern workplace where you need to be able to do several things.
§Demand and job opportunities.
Like many trades demand for handcrafts fluctuates with the business cycle but skilled workers with technical understanding and quality sense are still in demand. When experienced people retire there is a continuous need for new hands who can operate and understand production equipment.
§The future: digitalization and sustainability
The machines are becoming more automated and digital printing makes it possible to print small customized print runs cheaply. At the same time demands for sustainability grow — recycled paper less waste and more environmentally friendly paints. The graphic technician who understands both technology and environmental considerations is well equipped for the future.