Short Courses on Advanced Digital Printing Technologies for Surface Imaging

Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia plans to offer a series of short courses related to advanced digital printing technologies for surface imaging. The courses will be designed for imaging and printing practitioners, professional designers, and students in universities and colleges who wish to enhance their careers in the imaging industries.

Organizers anticipate launching the courses in the fall of 2021.

Thomas Jefferson University plans to launch a Surface Imaging Advanced Practice Certificate Program in the fall of 2021.


Each course will offer 1.5 stackable credits. Students who earn 9 course credits will receive the Advanced Practice Certification in Surface Imaging.

Courses currently slated for the fall 2021 program include:

  • Surface Imaging Design: Pattern development for decorative print
  • Digital Textile Printing (wet and dry processes)
  • Hard Surface Digital Printing (2.5 D printing)
  • Digital Printing for Flexible Substrates (wallpaper, cling, print/cut, wraps, etc.)
  • Digital Color Management (theory and hands-on)
  • Printing Technology (online – remote)

According to faculty member Mark Mattson, Jefferson’s surface imaging program “is the only educational program of its kind in the world. No other school comes close to the imaging programs offered and exclusive facilities available to its students.”

What is Surface Imaging?

“Surface imaging is a new and emerging concept that extends beyond the boundaries of existing traditional academic fields,” explains Mattson. The faculty at Thomas Jefferson University define surface Imaging as “creating imagery in various physical forms using a variety of digital printing technologies, including direct surface imaging on porous and non-porous substrates and fabrication printing through material deposition (e.g. 3D printing) and subtraction printing technologies (e.g. laser cutting).

The Center for Excellence in Surface Imaging Lab at Thomas Jefferson University was founded in 2000 as The Center for Excellence in Digital Inkjet Printing in Textiles. The lab has been expanding and evolving ever since.

Students in the Surface Imaging Center use a wide array of large-format and grand-format direct-print technologies and network with industry partners, including suppliers of printers, inks, materials, and software.

Graduates of the Surface Imaging MS program have been hired by companies such as Armstrong Flooring, W.L. Gore (Gore-Tex), Lily Pulitzer, Mohawk Flooring, Calico Wallpaper, Anthropologie, and other companies.

For More Information

Final dates, enrollment information, course plans, and further details will be announced soon.

Follow #surfaceimaging on Instagram or Twitter. Watch this short video the Surface Imaging team produced for the 2020 Design Philadelphia Festival:

Surface imaging video

Contact [email protected] or call 215-833-3548 to learn more.

Visit the website of Thomas Jefferson University