History of PIA
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.
Historic timeline of PINE and Printing Industries of America
| April 20, 1887 |
47 officers representing 33 Boston area printing companies approve a charter to create The Master Printer's Club of Boston |
| Oct. 18, 1887 |
United Typothetae of America is organized in Chicago. (The United Typothetae of America would eventually become Printing Industries of America.)
Its purpose is “to develop a community of interests and a fraternal spirit among the master printers of the United States and Dominion of Canada and for the purpose of exchanging information and assisting each other when necessary.” |
| Oct. 24, 1887 |
The Master Printer’s Club of Boston votes to join the United Typothetae of America. |
| 1900 |
Master Printer’s Club of Boston establishes the School of Printing Apprentices at North End High School. |
| 1902 |
After 12 years with no permanent headquarters, national headquarters for United Typothetae of America is established in New York City |
| Oct. 24, 1900 |
Master Printer’s Club of Boston reorganized as the Boston Typothetae |
| December 1900 |
Employing Printers Association merges with Boston Typothetae |
| 1908 |
United Typothetae of America national headquarters moves to Philadelphia |
| 1900-1910 |
The eight-hour workday for the printing trade becomes the norm |
| Jan. 13, 1911 |
The Boston Typothetae, the Board of Trade, Electrotypers, Photoengravers, Cloth and Pamphlet Binders and Paper Jobbers was formed under the name Boston Typothetae Board of Trade. |
| 1911 |
Boards of Trade across the country come under scrutiny of Federal Trade Commission |
| 1912 |
United Typothetae of America national headquarters moves to Chicago |
| 1924 |
Lithographic Technical Foundation, forerunner of Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, is founded. |
| 1929 |
United Typothetae of America national headquarters moves to Washington, D.C. |
| 1932 |
Boston Typothetae renamed Boston Typothetae, Inc. |
| 1939 |
Boston Typothetae, Inc. changes name to Graphic Arts Institute of Massachusetts, Inc. |
| 1947 |
Name changed to Graphic Arts Institute of New England, Inc., begins doing business as Printing Industries of New England. |
| 1975 |
Organization moves from Boston to Auburndale in Newton, Mass. |
| 1986 |
Organization purchases and moves into its own building in Natick, Mass. |
| 1998 |
PINE purchases land and moves into newly built headquarters in Southborough, Mass. |
| 1999 |
Boards of Directors of Printing Industries of America and Graphics Arts Technical Foundation vote to merge organizations into one |
| 2003 |
PIA/GATF boards vote to locate combined organization at site of GATF research facility in Sewickley, PA near Pittsburgh. PIA/GATF merges two governing boards into one |
| Fall 2004 |
PIA moves headquarters to GATF facility |
| 2008 |
The PIA/GATF Board of Directors voted to change the association's name to Printing Industries of America. |