Top 10 Print Designer Certifications

Certifications are important for any print designer looking to get a job in the market. They demonstrate knowledge and expertise in their field, as well as a commitment to professional development. Certification programs give designers the opportunity to learn about industry standards, trends, and best practices for creating successful designs. Having certifications can also help designers stand out from other applicants and give them an edge when competing for jobs. Certifications also help employers evaluate potential employees and make informed hiring decisions.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the best certifications for Print Designers and how they can help advance a print designer's career.

What are Print Designer Certifications?

Print Designer Certification is a program designed to help designers gain a better understanding of the printing process and how to create effective print designs. The certification consists of a series of modules, each focusing on a specific area of print design such as typography, color theory, page layout, paper selection, and more. Through this program, designers will become familiar with the industry standards for creating effective print designs and will be able to apply these techniques in their own work.

By gaining this certification, designers will have an advantage when it comes to creating successful print designs that meet their clients’ expectations. They will understand the importance of choosing the right paper stock for different types of jobs and be able to make informed decisions about color management and other elements that go into producing quality prints. Furthermore, they will learn how to troubleshoot common printing issues and understand the costs associated with different printing processes. This knowledge can help them save time and money when working with clients by identifying potential problems before they occur or by suggesting cost-saving solutions that still produce high-quality results.

Pro Tip: If you are interested in pursuing a print designer certification, consider taking an online course to gain the necessary knowledge and skills. This will not only save you time and money but also allow you to learn at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. Additionally, many online courses offer hands-on experience with actual projects, giving you real-world experience that can be invaluable when applying for jobs or pursuing further certifications.

Related: What does a Print Designer do?

Top 10 Print Designer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Print Designers today.

1. Adobe Certified Expert in Print Design

Adobe Certified Expert in Print Design is a certification offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in using Adobe InDesign and other desktop publishing software. This certification is designed for professionals who are responsible for designing, producing, and delivering print-ready documents.

To become an Adobe Certified Expert in Print Design, you must pass two exams: the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) exam and the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) exam. The ACA exam covers basic skills such as creating documents, working with objects, adding text and graphics, and preparing files for print. The ACE exam covers more advanced topics such as setting up a document with master pages, working with styles, creating tables and charts, using color management tools, and preparing documents for commercial printing.

The cost of the two exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking, the total cost of both exams can range from $200 to $400 USD.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on your individual level of experience with InDesign and other desktop publishing tools. If you already have some familiarity with these tools, then it should not take too long to prepare for the exams. However, if you are new to these tools then it may take longer to study for the exams and become proficient enough to pass them.

2. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certification

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in using CorelDRAW Graphics Suite. The certification consists of two levels: CorelDRAW Certified Associate and CorelDRAW Certified Professional.

CorelDRAW Certified Associate (CDA) is designed for users who are new to the software or have some experience but need to learn more about its features and capabilities. This level requires passing an online exam, which covers topics such as working with objects, text, shapes, and images; creating layouts; and working with effects. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete the exam. The cost of the CDA exam is $99 USD.

CorelDRAW Certified Professional (CDP) is designed for experienced users who want to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and skills in using the software. This level requires passing both an online exam and a practical assessment, which covers topics such as creating complex designs; working with vector graphics, bitmaps, text, and effects; producing output for print or web; and troubleshooting. It takes approximately 4-5 hours to complete the exam and assessment. The cost of the CDP exam is $199 USD.

Both levels of certification require applicants to be at least 18 years old and have a valid email address.

3. QuarkXPress Certified Professional

QuarkXPress Certified Professional is an official certification program offered by Quark Inc. It is designed to demonstrate a person’s proficiency in using the QuarkXPress software. The certification is available for both Mac and Windows versions of the software, and it requires passing an online exam.

The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions about the features and capabilities of QuarkXPress. It takes approximately two hours to complete the exam, and you must achieve a score of 80% or higher to pass. The cost for the exam is $99 USD.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive a certificate from Quark Inc., which will be valid for one year from the date of completion. You can also add your name to a list of certified professionals on the Quark website, which employers may use when looking for qualified candidates with experience in using QuarkXPress.

4. International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) Digital Publishing Certification

The International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) Digital Publishing Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize those who have achieved a level of expertise in digital publishing. The certification program covers the essential areas of digital publishing, including content creation, metadata, formatting and delivery.

The certification process consists of an online assessment and an exam. The online assessment consists of multiple-choice questions that assess knowledge of the IDPF standards and best practices for digital publishing. The exam is administered at a Pearson VUE testing center and consists of multiple-choice questions based on the IDPF standards and best practices for digital publishing.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the certification process depending on how quickly you can complete the online assessment and pass the exam. To get started, you must first register with Pearson VUE for access to their testing centers and purchase an IDPF Certification Exam voucher from them. Once you have your voucher, you will need to create an account with IDPF to access their online assessment system and begin taking the tests required for certification.

The cost of obtaining an IDPF Digital Publishing Certification varies depending on where you take your exams, but typically ranges from $150-$400 USD per exam.

5. Heidelberg Certified Digital Print Production Professional

Heidelberg Certified Digital Print Production Professional (HCDPP) is an internationally recognized certification program for digital print professionals. It is designed to recognize and reward those who have achieved a high level of expertise in the production of digital printed materials.

The HCDPP certification requires successful completion of a series of assessments and tests, which evaluate the candidate’s knowledge and skills in areas such as color management, printing technology, file preparation, workflow optimization, and quality control. The program also includes training modules on topics such as customer service, sales & marketing, and sustainability.

It typically takes around three to six months to complete the HCDPP certification process. Candidates must first register with Heidelberg Academy and pay the registration fee before they can start their studies. After that, they will need to complete all the assessments and tests within a specified time period.

The cost of the HCDPP certification varies depending on the country you are located in, but it usually ranges from $500 to $1,000 USD. This includes both the registration fee and any additional fees associated with taking the assessments or tests required for certification.

Once you have successfully completed all components of the HCDPP program, you will be awarded your certificate from Heidelberg Academy. This certificate is valid for two years and can be used to demonstrate your expertise in digital print production to potential employers or clients.

6. HP Indigo Certified Professional

HP Indigo Certified Professional (HPCP) is a certification program offered by HP that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the operation and maintenance of HP Indigo digital presses. The HPCP certification is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated a mastery of the technical and operational aspects of HP Indigo digital presses.

The HPCP certification process is designed to assess an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the operation and maintenance of HP Indigo digital presses. The certification requires successful completion of both online courses and practical assessments on an HP Indigo press. The online coursework includes topics such as press setup, press operations, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance. Once the coursework has been completed, candidates must then pass a practical assessment on an HP Indigo press to demonstrate their ability to apply what they have learned in the classroom.

The entire HPCP certification process takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete. Candidates can begin the process by registering for the online courses through the HP Learning Center website. Once registered, candidates will be given access to all required course materials as well as instructions on how to complete their practical assessments on an HP Indigo press.

The cost for obtaining your HPCP certification varies depending on where you are located; however, it typically ranges from $2,000 - $3,000 USD per person.

7. Xerox Color Printing Solutions Certification

Xerox Color Printing Solutions Certification is a program designed to help Xerox customers learn how to use their color printing solutions. This certification program provides training and testing on the latest technologies, products, and services from Xerox. It covers topics such as color management, workflow optimization, and troubleshooting.

The certification process takes approximately two days to complete. During that time, participants will be given instruction on the fundamentals of color printing and will be tested on their knowledge of the technology. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate from Xerox recognizing their achievement.

To get certified in Xerox Color Printing Solutions Certification, you must first register for the course through the Xerox website or by calling customer service. The cost of registration varies depending on your location and other factors; however, it typically ranges between $500-$1,000 USD per person. Once registered for the course, you will be provided with all necessary materials and instructions for completing it successfully.

Upon completion of the course and passing of the exam, you will receive your official Xerox Color Printing Solutions Certification certificate from Xerox. This certificate is valid for three years from date of issue and can be used as proof of your expertise in color printing solutions when applying for jobs or promotions within your organization or when seeking out new business opportunities with other companies.

8. Kodak Professional Digital Printing Certification

Kodak Professional Digital Printing Certification is a certification program designed to help photographers, digital imaging professionals and printing labs demonstrate their expertise in producing high quality digital prints. It is offered by Kodak Professional Imaging Solutions and is endorsed by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

The certification consists of two parts: an online course and a hands-on assessment. The online course covers topics such as color management, digital workflow, image optimization, printing techniques and more. It takes approximately 10 hours to complete the online course. After completing the online course, participants must take the hands-on assessment which tests their knowledge of digital printing principles and practices. This assessment typically takes about 2 hours to complete.

To obtain the Kodak Professional Digital Printing Certification, participants must successfully complete both the online course and the hands-on assessment. The cost for this certification is $299 USD.

9. International Color Consortium (ICC) Profiling and Workflow Certification

The International Color Consortium (ICC) Profiling and Workflow Certification is a program that verifies the accuracy of an individual’s color management workflow. This certification is designed to ensure that the color accuracy of digital images is maintained throughout the entire production process, from capture to output.

In order to obtain ICC Profiling and Workflow Certification, individuals must complete a series of tests that measure their proficiency in color management. These tests include topics such as color theory, calibration and profiling, image editing, and printing. The certification exam typically takes about four hours to complete.

To get started with the certification process, individuals must first register for an account on the ICC website. Once registered, they will be able to access all of the necessary materials for studying and taking the exam. The cost of registering for an account is $99 USD. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their official ICC Profiling and Workflow Certification certificate.

The ICC Profiling and Workflow Certification provides professionals with a valuable credential that demonstrates their expertise in color management workflows. With this certification, individuals can confidently show potential employers or clients that they are knowledgeable in this field and have taken steps to ensure accurate results when working with digital images.

10. Epson Stylus Pro Printer Series Certifications

Epson Stylus Pro Printer Series Certifications are a series of certifications that are designed to ensure the highest quality and performance standards for Epson's professional printing products. The certifications cover areas such as color management, media handling, print quality, and other aspects of professional printing.

How long does it take to get it?

The length of time required to obtain certification varies depending on the type of product being certified. Generally, it can take anywhere from one month to several months to complete the process.

How to get it?

To obtain certification, you must first contact an authorized Epson reseller or service provider. They will provide you with detailed information about the requirements and steps necessary for certification. You will then need to submit your product for testing and evaluation by an approved third-party laboratory or organization. Once your product has passed all tests and evaluations, you will receive your certification from Epson.

How much does it cost?

The cost of obtaining certification varies depending on the type of product being certified and the number of tests required for evaluation. Generally speaking, the cost can range from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars.

Do You Really Need a Print Designer Certificate?

The short answer is no. A print designer certificate is not a requirement for becoming a successful print designer. However, having such a certification can be beneficial in some cases.

First, having a print designer certificate can help you stand out in the job market, as it shows that you have taken the time to gain additional knowledge and skills related to designing prints. This can make you more attractive to employers and may even give you an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs.

Second, having a print designer certificate can also provide you with valuable resources and contacts that may prove helpful in furthering your career. Many of these resources are not available through traditional educational programs or courses, making them particularly valuable for those looking to break into the field of print design.

Finally, having a print designer certificate can also serve as motivation for continuing your professional development. Having this type of certification will remind you of all the hard work you’ve put into learning the necessary skills and knowledge related to design and keep you motivated to continue building upon your skillset and experience.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a print designer certificate depends on your individual goals and aspirations within the industry. If obtaining one is something that interests you or would be beneficial to your career path, then it may be worth considering pursuing one.

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FAQs About Print Designer Certifications

Q1. What is a Print Designer Certification?

A1. A Print Designer Certification is a professional credential that recognizes a designer's expertise in print design, such as layout, typography, and color theory. It demonstrates a mastery of the skills needed to create high-quality printed materials.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Print Designer?

A2. To become certified as a Print Designer, you must successfully complete an accredited certification program or course in print design. The program should include topics such as layout and composition, typography, color theory, and pre-press production techniques.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Print Designer?

A3. Becoming certified as a Print Designer can help you stand out from other job applicants by demonstrating your knowledge and expertise in the field. It can also open up new career opportunities and increase your earning potential.

Q4. How long does it take to become certified as a Print Designer?

A4. The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on the type of certification program you choose and how much time you have available to devote to studying for the exams or completing coursework requirements. On average, most programs require anywhere from six months to one year of dedicated study and practice before taking the final exam or completing all coursework requirements for certification.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Print Designer?

A5. Most certification programs do not require any prior experience or education in graphic design or printing techniques before applying for admission into their program; however some may require applicants to demonstrate basic knowledge in these areas through written tests or portfolio submissions prior to enrollment in their courses or exams.