Demystifying Print Careers: From Design to Production - Where Could You Fit In?

When most people hear the word print, they picture magazines, packaging, or posters. What they often miss is the ecosystem of talent behind every piece: the designers sketching ideas, the technicians fine-tuning presses, the marketers shaping campaigns, and the sustainability experts making sure the future of print is greener than the past.

At Young People in Print (YPIP), we want to break down the myths around this industry and show young people the diverse career paths it offers - not just in the UK, but across Europe.

At the recent European Carton Makers Association (ECMA) Conference, one of our volunteers, Jo Stephenson, summed it up perfectly: “Print isn’t just one job, it’s a collection of disciplines working together to bring ideas to life.” And that’s the exciting part. Wherever your skills or passions lie, there’s a route in. Let’s explore a few of them.

Creative Pathways: Design & Branding

If you’re a natural storyteller with a visual eye, the design side of print might be your calling. From packaging that stops you in your tracks on the supermarket shelf to retail campaigns that bring brands to life in store or billboards in cities, designers shape how the world sees and feels products. This isn’t just about Photoshop mastery; it’s about problem-solving, brand psychology, and understanding how ink and substrate interact in the real world.

Technical Roles: Pre-Press & Production

For those who love detail and technology, pre-press and production offer a fascinating blend of art and science. Think colour management, software workflows, and ensuring that what leaves the design studio translates perfectly onto the substrate – paper, textiles, metal, cartonboard or even labels. These roles are about precision, but they’re also about innovation, keeping pace with automation, digital tools, and new printing methods.

Manufacturing & Engineering

On the factory floor, you’ll find engineers, operators, and production managers who keep the presses rolling. This is a space for people who like to see physical results of their work. Whether it’s operating high-tech machinery, troubleshooting problems, or implementing lean processes, manufacturing is the engine room of print. And with cutting-edge robotics and smart digital systems being introduced, it’s no longer the “old-school” workshop many imagine.

Marketing & Sales

Love people, persuasion, and strategy? Marketing and sales are the commercial heartbeat of the print world. These professionals don’t just sell cartons, magazines or leaflets; they sell the value of print as a medium in a digital-first world. They need to understand trends, customer needs, and the competitive edge print can bring. For young people with strong communication skills, this is a way to shape the conversation around an industry that often flies under the radar.

Sustainability & Innovation

Print is undergoing a revolution in how it approaches the environment. With consumer demand and legislation pushing for greener solutions, sustainability is now central to the industry. From reducing waste and exploring renewable materials to designing products with circularity in mind, there’s room here for scientists, strategists, and idealists alike. If you’re passionate about the planet, print needs you more than ever.

Why It Matters for Young People

Across Europe, the challenge is the same: the industry needs fresh talent, and young people need to see print as more than a “traditional” sector. As Jo Stephenson highlighted at the ECMA Conference, this is a European-wide issue, one that requires a collective effort to solve.

That’s exactly why YPIP exists: to connect students, early-career professionals, and businesses, showing the breadth of opportunities and helping the next generation find their fit.

Whether you’re a creative thinker, a tech enthusiast, a problem-solver, or a sustainability champion, there’s a role for you in print. The industry is evolving fast, and it needs young people to push it forward.

So, where could you fit in?

At YPIP, we’re here to help you figure that out.