graphics students hold up a freshly printed yard sign

Graphic Communications Students Sharpen Skills as Yard Sign Production Returns

ACE @ Hermitage

October 7, 2026

Students in the Graphic Communications program at the ACE Center at Hermitage are settling into the rhythm of the print shop and building hands-on experience across a wide range of industry-standard equipment and production processes.

This year's class has been hard at work learning the daily routines of a professional print environment while developing skills in digital printing, vinyl production, garment decoration, finishing techniques, and customer-focused production workflows. Throughout the semester, students have been cutting custom stickers, producing envelopes, creating custom apparel for National Custodian Day, and mastering heat press applications, including special projects featuring Principal Ingram.

grpahics student cuts stickers graphics studetns use the envelopes printing machine graphics student presents custom shirts to our custodians graphics studetn takes on a heat press project from our principal at ACE graphics studetns watch their yard sign printing

These real-world experiences allow students to gain valuable technical knowledge while building the communication, problem-solving, and production skills expected in today's graphic communications industry.

The program is also celebrating the return of a service that many schools, organizations, and community groups have missed over the past year.

After being out of service for more than a year, the Graphic Communications program has officially installed a new yard sign printer and production system. Students are now training on the equipment and producing full-color yard signs once again.

In the past, ACE Graphic Communications students have produced hundreds of signs for school campaigns, graduation celebrations, traffic control, special events, school recognition programs, community promotions, and elementary school celebrations such as the 100th Day of School. The upgraded equipment restores the program's ability to provide these popular products while giving students additional opportunities to learn large-format sign production.

The first sample prints are already rolling off the new machine, and the results look fantastic.

Community members, schools, and organizations interested in custom yard signs are encouraged to contact the ACE Center Graphics PrintShop page to discuss upcoming projects.

Be sure to visit the ACE Center Instagram page to see students in action and catch a behind-the-scenes look at the new yard sign printer at work.