Somerset County Vo-Tech Print Shop Takes On Projects For Local Companies

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Students at Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School are getting hands-on experience through PawPrints Print Shop & Graphic Design Studio, a school-based business that takes on client projects as part of work-based learning.

Two recent jobs connected Graphic Communications students with businesses in Morristown and Hillsborough.

According to the school, PawPrints is a full-service operation that can produce a variety of printed products.

The work is part of the school’s effort to give students exposure to real clients and real projects while building skills in design and production.

One project came from Shade Tree Garage in Morristown, which asked the school to design and print apparel for its 50th Anniversary celebration.

The business contacted Lori Demsey and Joe Alfieri, Graphic Communications instructors at SCVTHS, about creating a commemorative logo for apparel.

The instructors agreed, and students then met with the client, developed designs and made revisions.

Shade Tree Garage selected three logos created by junior Lian Salas of Bridgewater, junior Emma Pham of Millington and senior Chloe Upton of Watchung, according to the school.

Those designs then moved into production, where Alfieri guided students as they used the automatic press to print apparel for the event.

A second project came from Paolillo Welding in Hillsborough, which asked PawPrints to create a company branding package.

Juniors and seniors in the Graphic Arts program submitted logo designs, and work by Priya Tunuguntla of Branchburg and Jayden Cortez-Nieto of South Bound Brook was chosen as the finalist group.

After receiving notes, both students revised their designs and created mock-ups of apparel and business cards.

Joe Paolillo, owner of the welding firm, selected Tunuguntla’s design as the winner.

The branding she created will be used on hats, sweatshirts, T-shirts and business cards printed by PawPrints.

"These projects gave students the opportunity to see their designs come to life through a real production process while learning industry-standard printing techniques and quality control," said Demsey. "We truly appreciate Art Bruhn, owner of Shade Tree Garage, and Joe Paolillo, owner of Paolillo Welding, for choosing PawPrints Print Shop & Graphic Design Studio for this job."

The school said all proceeds from projects produced by PawPrints go directly back to SCVTHS students through the Senior Scholarship Program.