In contrast, the creative designer who develops the art we must print is typically white collar, a combination of computer programmer and artist who typically has little or no experience in print production. With today's digital artwork, screen printers face multilayer, multichannel monstrosities that can take hours to decipher. Design programs don't make a designer It is simply too easy to create artwork with the programs available today. With just a click of the mouse, anyone using a design program can create extra and unnecessary graphic layers that the printer's prepress technician must manage. Even accomplished designers do this because they lack fundamental understanding of our print-production process.
Few schools teach production accountability in graphic design.
Although this attitude is irresponsible, it's a fact of the digital era. Some of the most respected designers I have worked with delivered some of the worst files and mechanicals. As is so often the case, it was the printer who rescued the creative package, yet the designer got the credit for another outstanding job. Consequently, imaging technologies are migrating from professionals who understand the complexities of design and production, to novices who don't. The customer also assumes the artwork is fine.