by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Printmaking explores Printmaking. A Program That Prepares Individuals Creatively And Technically To Express Emotions, Ideas, Or Inner Visions By Rendering Art Concepts Onto Surfaces And Transferring Images, Via Ink Or Dyes, Onto Paper Or Fabric. Includes Instruction In Monochrome And Color Printing; Tonality; Chemistry; Equipment Set-Up And Maintenance; Techniques Such As Serigraphy, Lithography, Intaglio, Woodcut, Block, Stencil, Relief, Etching, And Composite; And Personal Style Development. Read on to learn the essential details every printmaking major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering printmaking programs.
In the U.S., printmaking is a widely-pursued major, with 154 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Printmaking Schools ranking analyzes these 34 schools to determine the best overall colleges for printmaking students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of printmaking programs later in this article.
Studies in Printmaking emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations printmaking graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a printmaking program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a printmaking major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several printmaking degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 109 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 45 |
People currently working in careers related to printmaking tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 32.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.3% |
| Some college courses | 8.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in printmaking careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in printmaking prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to printmaking.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to printmaking.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Craft Artists | 402,867 | 5.7% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | 147,527 | -4.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of printmaking graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $25,613 |
| 4 years | $36,289 |
| 5 years | $41,536 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for printmaking graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers printmaking grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Craft Artists | $76,826 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $69,338 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 34 different printmaking programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased printmaking school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in printmaking, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Art/Art Studies, General | 18,711 |
| Fine/Studio Arts, General | 12,013 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | 3,557 |
| Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other | 751 |
| Intermedia/Multimedia | 732 |
| Painting | 607 |
| Jewelry Arts | 483 |
| Drawing | 254 |
| Sculpture | 235 |
| Ceramic Arts and Ceramics | 153 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
