, administered by the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF^®) is a national accreditation and certification program, based on industry standards, for graphic communications courses of study at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

PrintED^® has identified six standards that encompass the elements of a solid training program. In order for an applicant to be awarded accreditation, the course of study must meet these standards in at least two areas. The areas of accreditation are:

Standard 1: Instructional Staff

The instructional staff must maintain technical competency, meet the requirements to be an approved PrintED instructor, and meet all state and local requirements for accreditation.

Standard 2: Facility, Equipment & Safety

The physical facility must be adequate to permit achievement of the program goals and performance objectives. In addition, the equipment must be of the type and quality found in the industry. Both the facility and equipment must meet today's safety standards.

Standard 3: Instruction

Program curriculum must include current industry tasks, safety procedures, acceptable work habits and ethics, and testing and evaluating procedures.

Standard 4: Purpose

Program must have clearly stated goals related to student services and employers served.

Standard 5: Administration

Administration must insure that instructional activities support and promote the goals of the program.

Standard 6: Program Budget

Funding must be provided to meet the approved program goals and performnce objectives.

In order for an applicant to be awarded accreditation, the course of study must meet these standards in at least two areas. The areas of accreditation are:

• Introduction to Graphic Communications
• Digital File Preparation
• Offset Press Operations
• Binding & Finishing
• Digital File Output
• Digital Production Printing
• Advanced Offset Press Operations
• Advanced Digital File Preparation

Competencies have been defined for each area of accreditation in order to determine if the PrintED standards have been met. These competencies, developed by educators and industry, form the basis for instruction.

Online national examinations in three of the seven areas of PrintED instruction became available in spring 2004. Those areas include: Introduction to Graphic Communications, Offset Press Operations, and Digital File Preparation. Students who achieve a passing score receive certifications in those areas.

PrintED was developed in 1986 by the Printing Industries Association of Georgia (PIAG) at the request of the Georgia Department of Education to provide a set of skill standards for the state's printing programs. In 1990, Printing Industries of America (PIA) adopted the Georgia program as a national industry-approved accreditation program. GAERF assumed management of PrintED in 2000.