Certificate in Machine Printing
The Certificate in Machine Printing provides foundational training in printing machine operations, press maintenance, print production processes, and printing technology. Students learn to operate and maintain printing presses, understand printing substrates and inks, manage print production workflows, and apply quality control in printing. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in the printing and packaging industry.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 67,189 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1 year, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in printing press operation, machine maintenance, print production planning, substrate and ink selection, quality control, and print finishing. The curriculum covers printing technology fundamentals, press operations, printing substrates, ink and colour theory, print finishing, machine maintenance, quality control, and safety in printing operations. Practical skills are developed through laboratory sessions and workshop practice.
The printing and packaging industry in Kenya serves publishing, packaging, advertising, and commercial printing sectors. The industry requires trained machine operators and technicians who can operate and maintain printing presses efficiently. Kenya's growing publishing and packaging sectors create demand for skilled printing personnel, with opportunities in commercial printing companies, packaging firms, publishing houses, and government printing services.
The programme combines classroom lectures with extensive practical training in printing workshops and laboratories. Students operate printing presses, practise print production workflows, and learn machine maintenance procedures. Teaching methods include lectures, practical demonstrations, workshop sessions, and industry visits to printing establishments. The programme emphasises hands-on experience with printing equipment.
Graduates find employment as printing machine operators, press assistants, print production assistants, or machine maintenance assistants in commercial printing companies, packaging firms, publishing houses, and government printing departments. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma programmes in printing technology, packaging technology, or mechanical engineering.
This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with an interest in mechanical operations and printing technology, as well as individuals seeking technical skills for the printing and packaging industry. The practical focus provides directly employable skills in a specialised technical field.
What you study
10 subjects- Printing Technology Fundamentals
- Printing Press Operations
- Printing Substrates and Materials
- Ink and Colour Theory
- Print Finishing Operations
- Machine Maintenance and Troubleshooting
- Quality Control in Printing
- Print Production Planning
- Safety in Printing Operations
- Digital Printing Basics
Modules
8 in the programmePrinting Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Printing technology fundamentals covering the history of printing, printing processes (offset, flexography, gravure, digital), printing industry structure, and print production workflows.
Printing Press Operations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Printing press operations covering press setup, operation, adjustment, feeding and delivery systems, press controls, and running different types of printing presses.
Printing Substrates and Materials
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Printing substrates covering paper types, board, films, and other printing materials, including substrate properties, selection criteria, and handling procedures.
Ink, Colour Theory and Quality Control
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Ink and colour theory covering printing inks, colour mixing, colour matching, density and tone, and quality control techniques for print production.
Print Finishing Operations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Print finishing operations covering cutting, folding, binding, laminating, embossing, and other finishing processes applied after printing.
Machine Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Machine maintenance covering preventive maintenance, lubrication, parts replacement, troubleshooting common press problems, and machine safety procedures.
Digital Printing and Production Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital printing basics covering digital press operations, and production planning covering job scheduling, material estimation, cost calculation, and workflow management.
Safety, Quality Assurance and Practicum
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Safety in printing operations covering workplace safety, chemical handling, and quality assurance practices, combined with a practicum in a printing establishment.
Specialisations
Press Operations
Focus on printing press operation, setup, adjustment, and running different types of printing presses.
Machine Maintenance
Focus on preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of printing presses and equipment.
Digital Printing
Focus on digital printing technology, digital press operations, and digital print production workflows.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on printing technology theory with afternoon practical sessions in printing workshops. Students operate printing presses, practise print production workflows, learn machine maintenance procedures, and apply quality control techniques. Workshop sessions involve hands-on experience with printing equipment, while industry visits provide exposure to commercial printing operations.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Provides directly employable technical skills in a specialised industry. | The printing industry is relatively niche with limited employment opportunities compared to broader fields. |
| TUK offers excellent workshop and laboratory facilities for hands-on printing training. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility. |
| Provides a pathway to diploma programmes in printing technology and mechanical engineering. | Working with printing presses involves exposure to chemicals, noise, and mechanical hazards requiring strict safety compliance. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
TVET standard 67,189/yr public (institutiontoday.com). Private: unverified.
HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities.
Funding options
HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies
Scholarships you could apply for
6 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE C- (Minus) OR KCSE D+ (Plus) with Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Technical University of Kenya.
Including Technical University of Kenya.
Including Technical University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of printing technology, press operations, and materials theory.
Practical Assessment
Practical assessment40% of the mark
Practical assessment of printing press operation, machine maintenance, quality control, and print finishing in workshop settings.
End of Semester Examinations and Practicum
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a practicum report demonstrating applied printing machine operation and production competencies.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
TUK is chartered by CUE. The programme is offered under the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
The Technical University of Kenya is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered under the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesPrinting Machine Operator
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 55,000
Operates printing presses in commercial printing companies, producing printed materials including books, packaging, labels, and commercial print products.
Press Assistant
Moderate demand
Assists press operators in running printing presses, handling materials, monitoring print quality, and performing basic machine maintenance.
Print Production Assistant
Moderate demand
Supports print production operations in printing companies, assisting with job preparation, material handling, quality checks, and production coordination.
Machine Maintenance Assistant
Low demand
Assists in maintaining printing presses and equipment, performing preventive maintenance, cleaning, and basic repairs under supervision of technicians.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as printing machine operators, press assistants, and print production assistants in commercial printing companies, packaging firms, and publishing houses, with opportunities for progression to diploma programmes.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Subsea Cable EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Traction Power EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Machine printing is an outdated technology.
While digital printing is growing, machine printing remains essential for high-volume commercial printing, packaging, and publishing, with modern presses incorporating digital technologies.
Printing is a low-skill job.
Operating printing presses requires technical skills in machine operation, maintenance, quality control, colour management, and production planning.
The printing industry is dying.
The printing industry is evolving with packaging, labels, and specialised printing growing alongside digital media, creating demand for skilled printing technicians.
A certificate in machine printing has limited career prospects.
Commercial printing companies, packaging firms, and publishing houses employ certificate holders as machine operators and production assistants, with opportunities for career progression.