Graphic Communications and Print Technology 10.0301 (2026)

Other Michigan CTE sets

• CTE Business Administration, Management & Operations - Technical Standards
• CTE Finance - Technical Standards
• Digital/Multimedia & Information Resources Design 11.0801 (2025)
• Marketing and Entrepreneurship: 10-12
• Education General 13.000 (Competency Codes, Unit Topics, and Competency Statements Only)

Apply appropriate document settings for printed and onscreen images, e.g., width/height, orientation, artboards, resolution, color mode, bit depth, and background.MA2024-7b

Demonstrate page layout skills including adding a title, a header, body text, block quote, a footer, a caption, generating a table of contents, an index, page size, page orientation, facing pages, spread, bleed, trim, slug, master page, alternate page layout, columns, gutters, margins, breaks, glyphs, and frames.MA2024-7ee

Use non-printing design tools in the interface to aid in design or workflow to navigate a document, e.g., panning, zooming, and rotating canvas.MA2024-7f

Review professional software applicationsIGC38

Create original copy and develop draft-quality drawings, including layout dummies, prototypes, thumbnails, roughs, comps, storyboards, and site maps.MA2024-6c

Integrate photography into design projects by selecting and incorporating appropriate images that enhance the visual storytelling and align with project objectives and branding.MA2024-6m

Identify and manipulate elements of the software interface including options bar, menus, panels, toolbar, and artboards.MA2024-7a

Create and manipulate raster images using photo-editing software and tools, e.g., crop, perspective pencil, clone stamp, history brush, eraser, background eraser, magic eraser, gradient, and paint bucket.MA2024-7aa

Demonstrate techniques for converting raster images to vector art and executing the application of masks, channels, and a clipping path.MA2024-7bb

Select and configure application preferences utilizing units and rulers, guides, and grids.MA2024-7c

Explain rasterizing type and the effect it creates.MA2024-7cc

Apply basic auto-correction methods and tools to repair and reconstruct images, e.g., healing tools, clone tools, content-aware tools, and liquify.MA2024-7e

Demonstrate manipulating and scanning images and materials into appropriate file formats and resolutions.MA2024-7h

Determine and set the active foreground and background color, e.g., color picker, swatches, eyedropper tool, and hexadecimal value.MA2024-7i

Demonstrate use of, and organize, gradients, e.g., gradient panel, editing color and transparency stops, and radial and elliptical gradients.MA2024-7j

Demonstrate creation of, and organize, swatches, e.g., grouping, creating, importing, and exporting.MA2024-7k

Demonstrate use of layers to manage design elements and complex projects, e.g., adding, deleting, merging, flattening, hiding/showing, locking/unlocking, duplicating, renaming layers, and creating layer groups.MA2024-7m

Create, apply, and manipulate masks, layer masks, and clipping masks.MA2024-7o

Identify the difference between destructive or non-destructive editing.MA2024-7p

Demonstrate essential image editing techniques, such as cropping, expanding, resizing, and resampling.MA2024-7q

Demonstrate making, managing, and manipulating selections using a variety of tools.MA2024-7r

Demonstrate the use of illustration software tools, palettes, options, clipping masks, and compound paths to manipulate and edit images.MA2024-7t

Apply photographic changes to images using tools and adjustments, e.g., burn tool, dodge tool, smudge tool, blur tool, sharpen tool, desaturate options, and photo filters.MA2024-7u

Demonstrate rotating, flipping, modifying individual layers, objects selections, groups, and graphical elements, e.g., transforming, warping, distorting, and skewing.MA2024-7x

Evaluate or adjust the appearance of objects, selections, or layers using various tools., e.g., adjustments, adjustment layers, histogram, opacity, and Eyedropper tool.MA2024-7y

Design and manipulate a vector image using a variety of tools, e.g., drawing tools, painting tools, pencil tool, brush tool, vector shapes, shape tools, and vector selection tools.MA2024-7z

Identify the physical characteristics of type:DFPO07

Demonstrate the use of peripheral devices, such as scanners, external hard drives, printers, tablets, and cameras.MA2024-6o

Explain the importance of using vector graphics for scalability and precision in sign making.MA2024-12g

Demonstrate opening or importing images from a file, camera, scanner, or using Adobe Camera Raw interface.MA2024-7d

Use filters, Smart filters vs. filters, to modify images destructively or non-destructively.MA2024-7dd

Create frames to layout visual elements, e.g., graphic frame, text frame, or unassigned frame.MA2024-7ff

Demonstrate placing assets in a document, e.g., embedding, linking, and relinking.MA2024-7g

Demonstrate manipulating graphics in frames including placing graphics into documents or into existing frames and using frames to affect visibility of the content.MA2024-7gg

Create, use, edit, and organize brushes, styles, and patterns.MA2024-7l

Use opacity and blending modes to modify layer visibility.MA2024-7n

Modify, refine, and save selections using various methods, e.g., keyboard modifiers, feather, expand, contract, inverse, select and mask workspace, refine hair, add to, and subtract from selection, deselect, save, and load as channels.MA2024-7s

Demonstrate color correction and grading skills to enhance the overall color balance, color mode, bit depth, gamut, and CMYK vs. RGB vs. grayscale.MA2024-7v

Demonstrate proficiency in using different types of cameras and lenses, e.g., DSLR, mirrorless, smartphone cameras, and their respective functionalities to achieve specific creative effects.MA2024-4b

Demonstrate outputting a file to a digital device.DFPO139

Troubleshoot common issues encountered in screen printing, such as ink bleeding, registration errors, and screen clogging.MA2024-12m

Demonstrate plotter operation, including loading vinyl rolls, setting cutting parameters, and sending designs for cutting, as well as the process of weeding and transferring vinyl decals onto substrates.MA2024-12f

Apply legal and ethical considerations for using third-party content, such as copyright, permissions, and licensing, e.g., creative commons, public domain, intellectual property, derivative work, commercial use, attribution, work for hire, fair use, fair dealing, and stock images.MA2024-5b

Identify when and how to obtain permission to use images of people and locations.MA2024-5c

Identify, describe, and demonstrate the effective use of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to meet documentation requirements.MA2024-1a

Locate emergency equipment, first aid kit, and emergency action and response plan, including labels and signage that follow OSHA Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM). MA2024-1b

Demonstrate safety habits to protect vision, such as wearing safety glasses when photographing areas that require them and by minimizing time spent focusing on computer screens.MA2024-1d

Demonstrate proper handling of utility knives, safe storage of blades, and safe disposal of used blades.MA2024-1e

Demonstrate the proper use of paper cutters to avoid injury.MA2024-1f

Demonstrate safe handling using cords or studio lighting to avoid electric shock and power shortages.MA2024-1j

Demonstrate proper disposal of hazardous waste, including solvents and sealants regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and enforced by the EPA.MA2024-1k

Comply with appropriate fire protection regulations, local permit regulations, and state/federal regulations. MA2024-1l

Compare various digital printing technologies commonly used in the industry, including inkjet, digital, laser, offset, web offset, flexography, wide format, dye-sublimation, and screen printing; explain how each technology works, including the principles of ink or toner application, image formation, and substrate compatibility.MA2024-11a

Demonstrate and apply an understanding of the color wheel and its component parts, including primaries, secondaries, tertiaries, compliments, and color schemes.MA2024-3d

Examine the history of typography, including its origins, the development of typefaces, and how technological advances, e.g., the invention of movable type and digital fonts, have influenced design.MA2024-3h

Describe the role of communication and printing, including moveable type, in the rapid dissemination of information ushering in the Age of Enlightenment.MA2024-2b

Explain the significance of communication and printing in relation to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.MA2024-2c

Evaluate the intended message and target audience of a project ensuring that design elements effectively communicate the intended message and resonate with the audience's expectations.MA2024-3t

Apply the regulatory roles of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in advertising practices and consumer protection, as well as the functions of the Copyright Office and Trademark Office in intellectual property rights and their application to graphic design and visual communications practices.MA2024-2d

Assess the impact of the internet and social media on modern graphic design and visual communications within contemporary marketing and communication strategies.MA2024-2e

Develop a cohesive brand identity by creating visual elements such as logos, color schemes, and typography that align with brand messaging.MA2024-6f

Explain how concepts, such as resolution, scalability, color modes, and file formats relate to raster and vector images and impact image choice.MA2024-3q

Explain and apply key steps in the design process: 1) Understand project purpose; 2) research and analyze; 3) establish goals and objectives; 4) brainstorm ideas; 5) develop sketches or prototypes; 6) refine and iterate; and 7) finalize and produce.MA2024-6a

Utilize digital editing software, e.g., Photoshop, to enhance photographs, applying techniques such as cropping, color correction, and retouching to achieve desired design outcomes.MA2024-4g

Demonstrate imposing a project for proper layout, ensuring that the printed materials will be in the correct sequence and alignment when they are completed and assembled.MA2024-11l

Discuss the use of trapping an image for print.DFPO92

Identify quality control marksDFPO137

Examine the benefits and perform package operations, the process of organizing and transferring design files, fonts, images, and other assets associated with a project into one folder or package.MA2024-11c

Discuss the role of color management in a print workflow.DFPO099

Describe color management techniques used in different steps of a print workflowDFPO100

Evaluate the significance of file sizes and their impact on output quality and efficiency.MA2024-11j

Explain the principles of variable data printing (VDP) and how to implement personalized content or variable information in printed materials.MA2024-11k

Analyze the specific purpose, advantages, and limitations of these common file types: .jpeg, .tiff, .eps, .psd, .pdf, EPUB, and HTML.MA2024-11g

Explain the benefits of PDF documents and their settings.MA2024-11h

Describe and follow gripper margin requirements as needed to accommodate intended output device.MA2024-11m

Explain the applications of wide-format printing in the industry and compare various types of wide-format printers (inkjet, solvent, UV, dye-sublimation) with respect to ink types, print quality, substrate compatibility, and durability of output.MA2024-12d

Describe the workflow steps of screen printing process (Single color/Inline or Rotary press)SP06

Demonstrate an understanding of printing operations on an offset press including prepress preparation, press setup, printing process, quality control, troubleshooting, maintenance and cleaning, and safety protocols.MA2024-12a

Compare offset press printing and web offset printing and identify the optimal choice for specific projects based on factors, such as print volume, substrate type, job requirements, and budget considerations.MA2024-12b

Explain the purpose and function of screen-printing equipment and materials, e.g., screens, emulsion, squeegees, inks, and demonstrate techniques such as flatbed, rotary, and garment printing.MA2024-12h

Explain the differences between manual and automatic screen-printing presses, as well as multi-color printing and special effects like halftones, gradients, and metallic inks.MA2024-12j

Explain the importance of proper registration, ink coverage, and print quality control in screen printing.MA2024-12k

Compare the print characteristics of digital, offset and ink jet imaging technologies: a) Types of suitable substrates used in each technology, b) How solids reproduction compare, c) How screen tints compare, d) How halftone resolution comparesDPP04

Explain resolution requirements for wide format printing, such as dots per inch (DPI), image interpolation, and raster image processing (RIP) software used to optimize image quality for large-format prints.MA2024-12e

Describe the importance of paper conditioning prior to running the digital press.DPP37

List advantages of screen printing process versus offset lithography or digital printing:SP02

Select appropriate formats and save images for the intended purpose, e.g., vector/raster, file format, bit depth, color space, resolution, and pixel dimensions.MA2024-11f

Explain the use of an ICC profile in a print workflowDFPO103

Identify the features and functions of a Raster Image Processor (RIP)DFPO128

Perform preflight operations, optimizing files for the intended printing method, whether it is offset, digital, or large-format printing.MA2024-11b

Demonstrate final inspection of document for errors and alignment to project specifications, including setting color space, resolution, pixel dimensions, and metadata.MA2024-11d

Export or save digital images to various file formats, understanding compatibility, saving as a copy, and saving locally vs. in the Cloud.MA2024-11e

Describe bindery and finishing optionsIGC86

Demonstrate understanding and application of post-printing finishing techniques such as trimming, folding, perforating, gluing, stitching, binding, laminating, and wide-format specific techniques like mounting and grommeting.MA2024-12c

Explain the role of trimming to create a bleed effect.OPBF131

Identify in-line finishing systems.OPBF101

Identify off-line finishing systems: Describe specialty finishing techniquesOPBF102

Describe specialty finishing techniquesOPBF103

Describing folding configurationsOPBF115

Describe bindingOPBF124

Review USPS postal regulationsOPBF136

Demonstrate applications of marketing and advertising principles, such as target audience, demographics, psychographics, branding, and advertising campaigns.MA2024-5a

Assess whether content is relevant to the purpose, audience, audience needs, user experience, and has an appropriate design for target devices.MA2024-6e

Apply criteria used to analyze and critique a product and participate in the critique process from both the client’s and designer’s perspective.MA2024-6j

Implement feedback received during critique sessions to refine and finalize design solutions for production.MA2024-6k

Apply basic project management concepts, including project scope, scope creep, cloud utilization, and file management.MA2024-5d

Develop and implement a comprehensive project plan, defining the roles and responsibilities of the creative team, establishing project timelines and goals, and providing regular updates to the clients.MA2024-5g

Demonstrate presentation skills, presenting original design pieces that meet client objectives and timeline.MA2024-5i

Evaluate project success, seeking customer and team member feedback, and plan for future improvements.MA2024-6q

Collect needed information and complete necessary steps to complete a project from design to delivery by actively interacting with a client to include:GD84

Demonstrate fluency with cloud-based client proofing systems and procedures.MA2024-5l

Develop a high-quality professional portfolio and resume that effectively showcase your design and communication skills, experience, and achievements, tailored to attract potential clients, employers, or collaborators in the graphic design and visual communications industry.MA2024-13e

Demonstrate techniques used to monitor production quality.MA2024-6p

Apply accurate weight and measurement techniques and basic mathematical principles in design tasks to ensure accuracy and precision.MA2024-3s

Compare raster and vector images, identify their distinct characteristics and applications.MA2024-3p

Review common paper types, weights, grades and classifications commonly used in the printing industryIGC75

Demonstrate estimating costs, establishing a budget, and producing a quotation for the customer.MA2024-5f

Develop a typical estimate for several different types of projects.DPP139

Apply practices of scheduling project workflow, managing both personal time and team time allocations, to optimize productivity and project efficiency.MA2024-5e

Monitor and assess the performance of yourself, other individuals, and team progress to make improvements or take corrective action.MA2024-5j

Explain time-based, fixed fee and value-based pricing of a graphic design project.GD85

Identify and mitigate potential delays or obstacles in the design process and implement cost-effective solutions.MA2024-5k