PRINT POWERS THE CAROLINAS

A Growing Industry. A Skilled Workforce. A Future of Opportunity.

Printing is far more than putting ink on paper. It is a technology-driven manufacturing industry that connects creativity, advanced production, data, logistics, packaging, communications, and commerce.

For workforce leaders, understanding the scope of the printing and graphic communications industry is important—not only because of the jobs it provides, but because of the many industries and supply chains it supports.

NORTH CAROLINA: A $987 MILLION INDUSTRY WITH THOUSANDS OF JOBS

North Carolina’s printing and related support activities sector, classified under NAICS 323, contributes approximately $987 million in annual GDP. The sector supports approximately 9,700–10,000 direct printing jobs statewide, with employment spanning press operations, graphic design, prepress, finishing, data processing, production, and logistics.

Printing is part of North Carolina’s manufacturing economy and serves critical industries including healthcare, retail, education, logistics, food production, and pharmaceuticals. Packaging is an especially important area of growth, with commercial, flexographic, and digital printing technologies used to produce labels, folding cartons, corrugated materials, and other packaging products.

The workforce pipeline is already developing. Approximately 30 high schools and postsecondary institutions in North Carolina offer graphic communications or print-related programs, including 22 high school career and technical education programs and four college-level programs identified in the industry data. These programs provide hands-on experience with printing, design, and production technologies and can create direct pathways into high-demand careers.

SOUTH CAROLINA: A MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR ECONOMIC ENGINE

South Carolina’s printing industry is similarly embedded in the state’s manufacturing economy. The state ranks approximately among the top 20–25 states nationally in printing establishments, employment, and total sales. The broader print-and-mail ecosystem supports approximately 45,000–55,000 jobs statewide and generates an estimated $8–$11 billion in annual economic activity, with the printing sector alone contributing approximately $2.5–$3.5 billion in output.

South Carolina’s print workforce includes professionals in press operations, production, graphic design, prepress, finishing and bindery, data processing, variable printing, logistics, and distribution. Increasing automation, digital workflows, robotics, data-driven personalization, and advanced color management are creating an industry that requires—and develops—technical talent.

The state’s education pipeline includes approximately 38 high schools and postsecondary institutions offering graphic communications or print-related programs, including 34 high school CTE programs and four college-level programs.

CAREERS BEYOND THE PRESSROOM

One of the greatest opportunities for workforce development is helping students and job seekers understand the breadth of careers available within modern print and graphic communications.

Career opportunities can include:

  • Production & Manufacturing: Press operators, production technicians, bindery and finishing technicians, production managers
  • Design & Prepress: Graphic designers, prepress technicians, color specialists, digital production specialists
  • Technology & Data: Variable-data specialists, workflow technicians, digital production, automation and systems roles
  • Packaging: Packaging production, structural design, flexographic printing, labels, folding cartons and corrugated applications
  • Wide Format & Signage: Sign production, digital imaging, displays, environmental graphics and specialty applications
  • Mailing & Logistics: Data processing, fulfillment, mailing, distribution and logistics
  • Business & Leadership: Sales, estimating, customer service, project management, operations and business management

These careers can appeal to individuals with very different strengths—creative, technical, analytical, hands-on, entrepreneurial, or business-oriented.

WHY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SHOULD PAY ATTENTION

Modern printing is increasingly automated, technology-driven, data-enabled, and integrated with advanced manufacturing. Facilities use digital workflows, cloud-based job management, variable-data technology, sophisticated color management, robotics-supported finishing, and other advanced production systems.

At the same time, employers are experiencing a need for skilled workers. Press operators, bindery and finishing technicians, production professionals, and other technical roles represent immediate opportunities, while the industry also provides entry points for individuals who are willing to learn and develop new skills.

Print also has a significant multiplier effect. A single print project can involve substrate and consumable suppliers, equipment manufacturers, designers, production specialists, mailing and fulfillment providers, logistics companies, and data-driven marketing services. In South Carolina, industry analysis indicates that the broader economic contribution of print-related activities can be two to three times greater than the printing segment alone.

BUILDING THE CAROLINAS’ FUTURE WORKFORCE

For workforce boards, economic development organizations, educators, and industry leaders, print represents an opportunity to connect individuals with skilled, technology-focused careers while strengthening an established manufacturing sector.

The challenge is awareness. Many students and job seekers do not realize that the products they encounter every day—from packaging and labels to direct mail, signage, apparel, books, and digitally produced communications—are part of a sophisticated industry that needs their talents.

PICA is helping bridge that gap.

The Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA) works across North and South Carolina to support industry growth through workforce development, education, advocacy, training, career connections, and industry awareness. Through job listings, its resume network, educational partnerships, and relationships with graphic communications programs, PICA helps connect students, job seekers, educators, and employers.

THE OPPORTUNITY IS HERE

North Carolina and South Carolina have an established printing and graphic communications industry, an existing educational pipeline, and employers who need skilled talent.

The opportunity for workforce leaders is to recognize print as part of the broader advanced manufacturing, technology, packaging, communications, and logistics workforce ecosystem—and connect more people to the careers it offers.

The future of print is being built now. And the workforce of tomorrow can help build it.