VA352 Printing Technology
VA352 Printing Technology
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Feb 02, 2026
Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design
Dženeta Valjevac
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
1. Demonstrate a cognitive and technical knowledge of the major printing processes and related production sequences. 2. Provide information and guidance about employment and career opportunities in the printing industry. 3. Understand the common business practices and trade customs related to printing sales and customer service. 4. Understand digital printing technology and variable data applications. 5. Understand web to print technologies. 6. Understand substrates and ink and troubleshooting production problems.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
1. Prust, Z. A. (2009). Graphic Communication: The Printed Image (5th ed). Goodhart-Wilcox Publishing. New York. ISBN 2. A Guide to Graphic Print Production3rd Edition by Kaj Johansson, Peter Lundberg, Robert Ryberg
Additional Literature
Teaching Methods
Lectures: Presentations covering printing fundamentals, techniques, and case studies, supplemented with demonstrations
Workshops, Guest Speakers
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the course | disscussion |
| 2 | Printing Process Technology/Print Markets: History of PrintingRelief Printing – Letterpress and Flexography, Gravure or Intaglio, Offset Lithography, Screen Process Printing, Digital Printing | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 3 | Substrates/Paper and Ink: Different Substrat, How Paper is Made, Categories of Paper and Common Sizes, Working Characteristics of Paper, Inks, Working Characteristics of Ink | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 4 | The Offset Press: Systems of the Offset press, Sheet fed and Web Presses, Perfecting | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 5 | Pressroom Safety: Environmental Safety, Operational Safety, Safety Practices | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 6 | Press Make Ready Procedures: Image Carriers/Plates, Press Set-up - Registration | disscussion |
| 7 | Press Approvals: Customer Responsibilities, Printer Responsibilities, Customer Documentation, Trade Customs | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 8 | Midterm | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 9 | Measuring and Evaluating Print: Densitometry, Test Targets | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 10 | Variable Data Digital Printing: Web to Print, Database Management Systems, ROI | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 11 | Web to Print Technology: Templates, Cost Estimates and Quotes, Business Practices | disscussion |
| 12 | High Volume High Speed Printing: Gravure, Flexography | disscussion |
| 13 | Specialty Printing: Electronic, Illumination | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 14 | 3D Printing | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 15 | FINAL FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION | exam |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA352.1 | Course | Tuesday 15:00 - 17:50 | B F1.24 (MAC Studio) | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Project
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
Assignments
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
Midterm Project
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours
15 hours ⏳ (15 week × 1 h)
Assignments
60 hours ⏳ (10 week × 6 h)
Lab
30 hours ⏳ (15 week × 2 h)
Midterm Project
18 hours ⏳ (2 week × 9 h)
Final Project preparation
27 hours ⏳ (3 week × 9 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [VA352] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Feb 02, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| VA352 | Printing Technology | 2 | 1 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | VA101, VA102 | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Dženeta Valjevac | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Currently not available |
|||||||
| dzvaljevac@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | 1. Demonstrate a cognitive and technical knowledge of the major printing processes and related production sequences. 2. Provide information and guidance about employment and career opportunities in the printing industry. 3. Understand the common business practices and trade customs related to printing sales and customer service. 4. Understand digital printing technology and variable data applications. 5. Understand web to print technologies. 6. Understand substrates and ink and troubleshooting production problems. |
|||||||||
| Textbook | 1. Prust, Z. A. (2009). Graphic Communication: The Printed Image (5th ed). Goodhart-Wilcox Publishing. New York. ISBN 2. A Guide to Graphic Print Production3rd Edition by Kaj Johansson, Peter Lundberg, Robert Ryberg | |||||||||
| Additional Literature | ||||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lectures: Presentations covering printing fundamentals, techniques, and case studies, supplemented with demonstrations. Workshops, Guest Speakers. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | |||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction to the course | disscussion | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Printing Process Technology/Print Markets: History of PrintingRelief Printing – Letterpress and Flexography, Gravure or Intaglio, Offset Lithography, Screen Process Printing, Digital Printing | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Substrates/Paper and Ink: Different Substrat, How Paper is Made, Categories of Paper and Common Sizes, Working Characteristics of Paper, Inks, Working Characteristics of Ink | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 4 | The Offset Press: Systems of the Offset press, Sheet fed and Web Presses, Perfecting | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Pressroom Safety: Environmental Safety, Operational Safety, Safety Practices | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Press Make Ready Procedures: Image Carriers/Plates, Press Set-up - Registration | disscussion | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Press Approvals: Customer Responsibilities, Printer Responsibilities, Customer Documentation, Trade Customs | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Measuring and Evaluating Print: Densitometry, Test Targets | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Variable Data Digital Printing: Web to Print, Database Management Systems, ROI | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Web to Print Technology: Templates, Cost Estimates and Quotes, Business Practices | disscussion | ||||||||
| Week 12 | High Volume High Speed Printing: Gravure, Flexography | disscussion | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Specialty Printing: Electronic, Illumination | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 14 | 3D Printing | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 15 | FINAL FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION | exam | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Project | 1 | 30 | Not Allowed | ||
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Assignments | 5 | 50 | Not Allowed | ||
| Midterm Project | 1 | 20 | Not Allowed | ||
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 1 | 15 | 15 | Assignments | 6 | 10 | 60 | |||
| Lab | 2 | 15 | 30 | Midterm Project | 9 | 2 | 18 | |||
| Final Project preparation | 9 | 3 | 27 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 17/02/2026 | |||||||||
