Printing Industries of America
The Printing Industries of America was founded in 1887 right after the linotype typecasting machine came into practical use. While the printing industry was doing quite well in the 1880s, it had its problems. Two of its more serious problems were excessive competition and labor conflicts.

To deal with these problems, the Chicago association sent out a call for a meeting at the Apollo Hall in Chicago, Oct. 18-20 1887. The call stated in part:

"An international convention of employing printers in the United States and Canada will convene in the city of Chicago on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 12 o’clock for the purpose of devising plans for united action upon the recent demand of the international typographical union that nine hours shall constitute a day’s labor. Other important matters will be presented for the consideration of the convention on whose action it is believed will be of permanent benefit to the trade."

Sixty-eight delegates attended the meeting representing 18 Master Printers’ Associations and four individual printing firms from 22 cities. The delegates adopted a constitution on the third day of the convention. The preamble of the constitution stated: “With a view of developing a community of interest and a fraternal spirit among the Master Printers of the United States and the dominion of Canada, and for the purpose of exchanging information and assisting each other where necessary, the typothetae and other societies of employing printers of various cities, through their authorized delegates, do hereby organize themselves into a national association.” It is important to note that Printing Industries of America was founded by local associations which existed at that time.

The association had no permanent headquarters for its first 15 years. The first permanent headquarters office was established in New York in 1902. In 1908 the office was moved to Philadelphia, and it 1912 it was moved to Chicago were it remained until it was moved to Washington, D.C. in 1929. It has remained in the Washington, D.C. area since, although in 2003, a historic vote was taken to consolidate PIA headquarters at the Sewickley, PA. headquarters of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, which PIA had merged in 1999.

The seeds of the present organization were planted in 1941 when a committee was organized “to develop plans for the stronger national organization the printing industry requires.” Later that year, the committee reported on seven fundamental principles upon which a truly representative national organization could be built. Principle Number 1 set forth:

"That the United Typothetae of America be reorganized and strengthened, and with the cooperation of the printing industry in general, be made a representative national association of the industry and that the name of the UTA be changed to Printing Industry of America, Inc., successor to United Typothetae of America."

The name was later changed to Printing Industries of America.

Over the years, the national association’s programs have changed as the needs of the members have changed. While the unions were losing membership and clout in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, the federal government’s impact on the industry was growing. As a result, resources devoted by the national association to government affairs have grown significantly while the resources to industrial relations have been reduced.

Graphic Arts Technical Foundation
From its small beginnings in 1924 as the Lithographic Technical Foundation, this industry-inspired and member-directed foundation has grown into one of the world's leading centers for graphic communications research and education. Today, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation fulfills its missions through its five divisions:

• Research
• Training
• Consulting
• Process/Quality Controls, and
• Publications.

GATF's facilities include state-of-the-art prepress, pressrooms, testing laboratories, libraries, and classrooms that provide a world-class platform for innovative sheetfed and web research, leading-edge publications and instruction, and the development of effective test images. GATF research activities include waste control, environmental studies, press and prepress research, and quality control. Educational activities include an outstanding graphic arts library, an extensive publication program, career and curricular consultation for schools and universities, seminars, workshops, and conferences for the graphic arts community.

On Jan. 1, 1999, PIA and GATF consolidated, offering printers and suppliers membership benefits of three organizations — the two national associations, PIA/GATF, and the local PIA/GATF affiliate — for one dues payment. Together, they promote the interests of more than 13,000 graphic arts member companies. Along with its printer membership, GATF also serves international members, educators, and students.

Following the appointment of Michael Makin as chief executive officer for both organizations in June 2002, the board of directors set into motion a plan to physically combine both associations.

After an extensive process, the Board of Directors of both PIA and GATF voted in November 2003 to combine the two organizations at GATF’s headquarters in Sewickley, PA. That process is expected to take 12 to 18 months. The two boards also voted to form one board of directors comprised of 36 voting members for the combined organization.