The South African Institute of Printing (SAIP) is actively marketing a new ‘product’ that it believes will significantly improve the quality of the country’s printing, packaging and signage.
According to Printing SA CEO, Steve Thobela, this innovation does not come in the form of a digital press, wide format printer, computer or plate unit or even new software, colour management or workflow systems to automate the production process. Instead, it is “warmware”- a professional designation open to all experienced printers in South Africa.
Thobela believes that this is crucial in a South Africa where good governance, ethics and professionalism are increasingly under the spotlight and rooting out corruption and malpractice is becoming almost a daily imperative.
“Professionalism is a major issue, both in South Africa and worldwide. Ethical conduct is an integral part of being a professional SAIP member. SAIP has approved a protocol of ethics for the printing, packaging and signage profession. Members are required to ensure that their own Codes of Ethics are consistent with those of SAIP.”
It also aims to tackle another critical problem in South Africa, unemployment and skills development.
“The next time that you have toothache, would you want to visit a dentist who has had no new equipment or training in the last 20 years? I hope not! It’s the same when it comes to the art of printing, packaging and signage.
“You may be a brilliant technical printing operator, a highly skilled printing technician, a crackerjack print manager, a superb technical or non- technical print director but, if you’re unprofessional, your career will fall short or the company that you work for will stumble.”
Thobela said that SAIP had been “rebooted” and is in the final throes of being recognised as a professional body. It is inviting all qualified and qualifying professional printers to join. This, he said, would enhance their qualifications, careers and future job opportunities and provide a marketable qualification and certificate for job seekers to include in their CVs.
Members are required to adhere to a set of professional ethics as well as to earn CPD points by attending shows, exhibitions and seminars.
They are also required to accept and adhere to the following SAIP Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.