RIT integrates print and graphic media into packaging science to better prepare students for the rapidly evolving manufacturing and packaging industries

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology is reshaping how it prepares students for the future of manufacturing and design by integrating its long-standing print and graphic media technology curriculum into the packaging science program. The move reflects a response to industry shifts, where packaging has become one of the fastest-growing and most technically complex sectors, blending materials science, advanced printing, automation, and sustainability.

The transition is designed to be seamless for current students. Undergraduate and graduate students already enrolled in the print and graphic media technology program will be able to complete their coursework and graduate as planned. At the same time, prospective students are now being directed toward the Bachelor of Science degree in packaging science, which offers a broader platform for learning skills that are increasingly in demand across modern manufacturing environments.

Under the updated structure, students pursuing packaging science will have access to coursework that emphasizes manufacturing processes, materials science, color management, and package printing technologies. These competencies are becoming essential as packaging grows more sophisticated and closely tied to branding, logistics, and environmental responsibility, according to Kyle Dunno, department chair of packaging and graphic media science in RIT’s College of Engineering Technology.

“For generations, the print and graphic media program has played a vital role in preparing students to lead in the printing, publishing, and media sectors,” said Dunno. “As print technologies have advanced and the industry has evolved, we’ve reflected deeply on how best to honor that legacy while preparing our students for future opportunities. This strategic integration maintains the core of print education at RIT while expanding its relevance in the rapidly growing packaging and converting industries.”

Read also: Bronx man found guilty after federal jury confirms kidnapping and child exploitation offenses

The integration did not happen overnight. In 2022, the College of Engineering Technology combined its print and packaging science departments as a first step toward better aligning academic programs with real-world growth in package printing. Since then, department leadership has worked closely with faculty, alumni, and industry partners to develop a curriculum that reflects how the field is changing while still preserving the strengths that have defined RIT’s print education for decades.

That collaboration led to a program that provides clear differentiation for both students considering the major and graduates entering the workforce. The newly aligned curriculum is designed to ensure that RIT graduates remain competitive and prepared to lead in areas such as manufacturing systems, materials performance, color accuracy, and advanced package printing technologies.

Despite the shift, the fundamentals of printing remain central to the academic experience. Conventional and digital printing processes continue to serve as the backbone of instruction. Students will still study premedia, production workflows, converting technologies, process control, and variable data printing. What has changed is the context. These skills are now taught with direct application to folding cartons, flexible packaging, labels, corrugated fiberboard, metal decoration, and other packaging formats that dominate today’s industrial landscape.

“This represents a natural progression for our programs,” said Dunno. “As the industrial world pivots toward integrated packaging solutions, automation, and sustainability, this approach allows us to honor the rich heritage of print education at RIT while embracing innovation in one of today’s most vibrant industrial arenas.”

College leaders see the integration as part of a broader commitment to applied science and engineering education that closely mirrors workforce needs. The packaging sector increasingly demands graduates who can move comfortably between design, production, materials testing, and quality control, often within highly automated environments.

“This integration reinforces the college’s focus on industry-relevant applied science and engineering education,” said S. Manian Ramkumar, dean of the College of Engineering Technology. “By connecting core competencies from both print and packaging, we are ensuring our students gain hands-on, future-oriented experiences that align with evolving workforce needs.”

Read also: Monroe County Executive Adam Bello appoints longtime advisor Amy Grower as the next deputy county executive beginning in 2026

Beyond the classroom, RIT’s role as a resource for the printing and packaging industries will continue without disruption. Faculty researchers and professional staff will maintain the department’s existing testing, research, and training services, which support companies seeking technical guidance and innovation. These services remain a key link between the university and the industries it serves.

RIT will also continue its role as the certifying body for Idealliance’s G7 and G7 Plus color calibration programs. This responsibility places the university at the center of global efforts to standardize color quality and consistency, reinforcing its influence and credibility within the printing and packaging communities.

For students, the integration signals a future where skills are transferable across industries that are increasingly interconnected. Packaging today is no longer just about containment. It involves branding, sustainability, logistics, and precision manufacturing, all areas where print technology plays a critical role.

“This integration represents a natural and meaningful progression,” Dunno said. “It honors our legacy, strengthens our industry relevance, and ensures that students continue to benefit from cutting-edge technology, hands-on learning, and real-world experience.”

As RIT aligns its academic offerings with the realities of modern manufacturing, the integration of print and graphic media into packaging science reflects a broader truth about education and industry alike: adaptation, when guided by experience and collaboration, can preserve tradition while opening doors to entirely new possibilities.