Academic Courses
Course Descriptions
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CGT 157 | Prepress | (2-0) 2 Cr. Hrs. |
Course Description
Every successful piece of graphic design succeeds on both the technical and conceptual level. This course focuses solely on the technical—or execution—part of graphic design as it relates to printed material. Students will have the opportunity to learn how commercial printing is done and how the printing process imposes limits on graphic design. Students will learn how to work with printers to achieve the best possible results.
Prerequisites
(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)
Course Competencies
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- Understand how paper is made and categorized. Know how to order “dummies” and specify paper. Understand the impact of paper on a printed design and its cost.
- Understand how ink selection impacts design. Know how to determine how many colors and which are in a printed piece. Understand the difference between process and spot color and when/why each is used.
- Understand the prepress choices that must be made for successful reproduction of type, photos and other design elements.
- Be familiar with what trapping is and how it is done.
- Develop and follow a preflight checklist. Know which proofing options are appropriate to a given situation.
- Use preflight software to check the quality of a printer-bound file. Make corrections indicated by the preflight software.
- Understand the various prepress and print design processes. Know and understand the terminology used by printers. Understand the limitations of mass production and become aware of changes in printing technology.
Note: This course may not be offered every semester.
Please check the CGT section of the current course schedule for availability.