Lab Facilities
Graphic Communications Teachnology labs are located in Coover Hall (COO) and Helsel Hall (HSL).
Digital Prepress Lab (HSL 133B) Scanning, page layout and image manipulation are performed in this lab, which features 21 Macintosh© G4 400 MHz computers with DVD ROMs, Internal Zip Drives and 17-inch Color Sync monitors. Quark XPress© and Adobe Photoshop© are the primary software packages used for graphic design, digital image editing, page layout and desktop publishing. Color proofs are generated via ink jet, dye-sublimation or wax thermal devices prior to film output. Also available are flatbed and negative scanners, CD burners and laser printers.
Multimedia Technology Lab (HSL 204) Graphics students also use this new state-of-the-art lab, which has Macintosh© and Windows© computers where students can design, create and publish images for print media, video and interactive multimedia presentations, including web pages.
Screen Printing and Flexography Lab (COO 116) A multi-purpose lab which provides hands-on experiences in all aspects of those two printing processes from image design and pre-press assembly to printing and finishing. Student projects include posters, decals, textile prints, labels and process color printing on a variety of materials incorporating a variety of ink systems. Specialized equipment includes: six flatbed semi-automatic screen printing presses, textile dryer, three-color flexography press, sheet photopolymer platemaker, vertical process camera, automatic film processor and darkroom.
Advanced Graphics Lab and Pressroom (HSL 137) supports offset lithographic printing from beginning level to advanced and include all aspects of product development from pre-press to finishing and binding. Student projects include 8-page pamphlets, brochures, posters and multi-signature booklets. Equipment available includes three offset duplicators, film contacting and exposing printing plates, two process cameras and a fully automated true two-color 20-inch Eagle offset press.
Photography Studio & Darkroom (HSL 110) includes 12 enlargers for black and white as well as color photography. An automated processor is available for color prints. Single lens reflex and digital photography techniques are taught.
Graphic Mac Lab (HSL 112) is a laboratory housing a professional level Sheetfed Offset Training Simulator and a FlexSys ™ Flexographic Press Training Simulator is available for student use. Each simulator replicates press conditions or problems that may be encountered in flexographic or offset printing. Students can work to solve the problem and to correct the situation as they might on a production press.
A mini pre-press lab also offers scanning, page layout and image manipulation and features 12 Macintosh G4 iMac Computers with 20" Flat Panel LCD monitors, 1.25 GHz PowerPC processors, some of which are connected via a wireless network. Canon Digital cameras are also available for student use.