Programme

A Beginner’s Guide to Modern Print and Digital Workflows. This foundational training is designed specifically for apprentices, new entrants, and anyone keen to start a career in printing. It offers a comprehensive overview of the print industry, focusing on the critical role of digital workflows and software solutions that drive today’s print production.

Participants will be guided through the entire print production cycle—from job intake and prepress, through to printing and finishing—emphasising the importance of workflow software in connecting and streamlining every stage. This course lays a solid groundwork for understanding how print shops operate in the digital age and prepares newcomers to thrive in a technology-driven environment.


Training Duration

The Print Fundamentals 101 programme is structured to be completed over a 5-day period, allowing for focused, practical, and engaging learning experiences.

  • Module 1
  • Module 2
  • Module 3
  • Module 4
  • Module 5

We understand that time availability can vary, especially in working environments. As such, we are flexible with the scheduling of the final two days to accommodate production demands or learner availability. The aim is to deliver a meaningful learning experience while being respectful of operational pressures.

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Module 1 | Day 1

Introduction to Print

This module introduces the fundamentals of the printing industry, exploring its origins, evolution, and the core processes used today. Participants gain a foundational understanding of how different printing technologies work and how print production is structured.

What You’ll Learn

  • The evolution of printing from early methods to modern technologies
  • Key differences between major printing processes
  • How ink and toner are transferred onto paper
  • The main stages involved in print production

Key Topics Covered

  • History of printing and early print methods
  • Letterpress printing using lead type and carved wood
  • Transition from traditional processes to computerised printing
  • Introduction of dedicated and personal computers in print
  • Overview of digital toner, inkjet, and lithographic printing
  • Ink and toner transfer methods with practical examples
  • Lithographic printing principles using ink and water
  • Toner printing and electromagnetic properties
  • Overview of prepress, press, and postpress production stages

Outcome

By the end of this module, participants will have a clear understanding of the printing industry's development, the main printing technologies in use today, and the fundamental processes involved in producing printed materials.

Module 2 | Day 2

Introduction to Colour

This module explores the principles of colour and how it is created and reproduced in both digital and print environments. Participants gain insight into colour systems and practical experience in colour mixing.

What You’ll Learn

  • The fundamentals of colour and the role of light
  • Differences between RGB and CMYK colour models
  • How colours are created and reproduced in print
  • Practical colour mixing techniques

Key Topics Covered

  • Definition of colour and the influence of light
  • RGB colour model used in screens and devices
  • CMYK colour model used in printing
  • The impact of white and black on colour perception
  • Practical colour mixing using cyan, magenta, and yellow inks
  • Hands-on exercise to create and explore new colour combinations

Outcome

Participants will understand how colour works across different mediums and will be able to apply basic colour principles when working with print and digital outputs.

Module 3 | Day 3

Colour and Dots in Print

This module focuses on how images and colours are reproduced in print using screening techniques. Participants learn how dots, colour spaces, and conversions influence final print quality.

What You’ll Learn

  • How tonal variation is achieved in print
  • The role of screening and dot structures
  • How colour spaces affect print output
  • The importance of colour accuracy and consistency

Key Topics Covered

  • Printing lighter tones using halftone dots
  • Introduction to screening and dot-based reproduction
  • Understanding percentage values and dot sizes
  • Practical colour setup using design software (Adobe Illustrator)
  • Dot angles and their role in colour printing
  • Screen rulings and line frequency
  • Examining printed samples using magnification
  • Colour gamuts and their importance
  • Converting between colour spaces (RGB to CMYK)
  • Colour conversion techniques
  • Use of spot colours (Pantone) in printing

Outcome

By completing this module, participants will understand how images and colours are reproduced using dots, how to manage colour spaces effectively, and how to achieve consistent, high-quality print results.

Module 4 | Day 4

Understanding Paper

This module examines the role of paper in print production and how it influences design, image quality, and finishing. Participants also gain introductory experience with design tools and file preparation.

What You’ll Learn

  • How paper choice affects print quality and preparation
  • The concept of dot gain and image resolution
  • Basic imposition, folding, and binding methods
  • Fundamentals of design applications and file preparation

Key Topics Covered

  • Importance of selecting the correct paper for print jobs
  • Dot gain: causes, impact, and control methods
  • Image resolution requirements for print
  • Paper folding and imposition techniques
  • Binding methods: saddle stitch, perfect binding, and others
  • Introduction to packaging workflows and nested layouts
  • Overview of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
  • Practical calendar project using design applications
  • Image adjustment, colour space, and resolution checks
  • PDF creation and understanding PDF standards
  • Common PDF issues and correction methods
  • Introduction to preflighting PDF files

Outcome

Participants will gain a strong understanding of how paper and file preparation impact print quality, along with practical skills in using design tools and preparing print-ready files.

Module 5 | Day 5

Projects and Workflow

Creating Print-Ready Files: Accuracy from the Start

This final module brings together all knowledge gained throughout the course, focusing on completing a project and understanding the full print workflow from design to production.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to prepare and finalise print-ready projects
  • The fundamentals of prepress workflows
  • How PDF-based workflows improve efficiency
  • The role of workflow software in print production

Key Topics Covered

  • Finalising and preparing the calendar project for print
  • Exporting projects for digital and mobile viewing
  • Introduction to prepress workflow processes
  • Understanding and managing PDF files
  • Overview of HEIDELBERG Prinect workflow system
  • Benefits of PDF-based workflow automation
  • End-to-end workflow from design to print output
  • Using a real project to demonstrate production steps

Outcome

By the end of this module, participants will understand the complete print workflow and be able to confidently take a project from design through to final production using industry-standard processes and tools.

Interested in our training programmes?

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Do you wish more information about our training programmes or need a quote? Contact us at +27 (0)86 142 4756 or fill out this contact form and we will be happy to advise you.

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