Printing Industries of America
The Printing Industries of America was founded in 1887 after industry leaders adopted a constitution during a three-day meeting in Chicago. The national organization was born out of a need to address excecssive competition and labor conflicts.

Sixty-eight delegates attended the meeting representing 18 Master Printers’ Associations and four individual printing firms from 22 cities.

The association had no permanent headquarters for its first 15 years. The first permanent headquarters 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 remained in the Washington, D.C. area for many years. 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. In 2004, PIA relocated its national offices to Sewickly.

Today, the association's Government Affairs Department maintains a presence in Washington, D.C. through its lobbying and legislative advocacy activities.

Seeds planted for a strong national organization
The seeds of the present organization were planted in 1941 when it was approved:

"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."

Over the years, the services and programs of Printing Industries of America have changed as member needs have changed.