Print Estimating

Continuing Education Course

Build the skills behind accurate estimates, smarter production planning, and stronger profitability.

Accurate estimating starts long before a number reaches the customer. It starts with understanding production planning, materials, equipment, time standards, and the costs behind every job.

The Print Estimating Continuing Education Course provides a practical foundation in the principles and calculations behind production cost estimating. Over 10 weeks, participants will learn how to analyze job specifications, develop production plans, calculate hourly rates, estimate across multiple press technologies, and apply estimating concepts to finishing operations.

Whether you work in estimating, customer service, production, operations, or management, this course can help you better understand the numbers and decisions that drive profitable print production.

What You’ll Learn

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Analyze job specifications using paper-and-pencil methods, develop a production plan, and determine an estimate of cost.
• Develop a spreadsheet to calculate an all-inclusive hourly rate using appropriate data.
• Explain methods for determining and maintaining accurate production standards.
• Calculate a changeover point among various printing presses.

A Practical, Hands-On Learning Experience

This is a 10-week virtual course delivered through live, synchronous Zoom sessions. Each week combines instruction with opportunities to work through practice activities as a group.

Participants will also receive take-home homework assignments designed to reinforce the week’s lesson, build estimating skills, and provide opportunities to apply concepts in a practical setting.

This course focuses on the underlying principles of estimating and production planning—not on teaching the functionality of a particular MIS. You’ll gain a broader understanding of the math, methods, and decision-making that support estimating systems used throughout the industry.

Course Schedule

Format: Virtual, live instruction via Zoom
Duration: 10 weeks
Class Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm CT
Homework: Included as part of the course curriculum

Instructor

Dr. Celeste Calkins

Assistant Professor, Department of Technology, Illinois State University

Dr. Celeste Calkins brings expertise in graphic communications education and production-related concepts to this continuing education course.

Learn more about Dr. Celeste Calkins →

What You’ll Need

Participants should have access to:

• A personal computer with internet access
• Webcam, speaker, and microphone
• Microsoft Word or a similar word-processing application
• Microsoft Excel or a similar spreadsheet application
• A printer — recommended, as many math activities are easier to complete on paper
• A scanner or camera for submitting homework for review and feedback

Tuition

PIA MidAmerica Members: $725
Non-Members: $1,200

Education Funding Available

Financial assistance may be available through the Nolan Moore Education Foundation to help eligible participants pursue industry education opportunities.

[Apply for Education Funding →]

Seats Are Limited

Give yourself—or a member of your team—the opportunity to strengthen the estimating and production-planning skills that contribute directly to better business decisions.

Reserve your seat today.

Virtual Course | 10 Weeks | Starts September 9, 2026