At PlanProphet, we believe in the industry we serve, not just the technology we build for it. That’s why Ink Runs Deep exists. And that’s why partners like the National Print and Signage Owners Association and the Foundation for Graphic Communication Education matter.
When we launched Ink Runs Deep, we knew we couldn’t do it alone.
The initiative was never just about PlanProphet giving back. It was about finding the right partners, organizations already doing the hard work of sustaining and growing the print industry, and amplifying what they do.
Two of those partners are the National Print and Signage Owners Association (NPSOA) and the Foundation for Graphic Communication Education (FGCE), formerly known as the Print and Graphic Scholarship Foundation (PGSF).
Together, we’re building something bigger than any one organization can do alone: a real investment in the future of this industry, its businesses, its workforce, and the next generation coming up behind them. We sat down with Jules Van Sant, Chair of the FGCE, and Anna Mitchell, a Packaging Science student at Clemson University and one of the Foundation’s scholarship recipients, to talk about what this partnership is building, and what the next generation of print professionals actually looks like.
Building the pipeline
Jules has seen what happens when students discover print, and what happens when they don’t. The industry, as she puts it, has a branding problem.
“Print and graphic communications is everywhere around us, and nobody knows it as an industry name.” – Jules Van Sant
That’s the gap the FGCE works to close every day. Beyond scholarships, the Foundation maintains a resume board connecting top graduates to industry employers, funds equipment for school programs that need hardware and software to teach print properly, and is developing a new textbook to bring modern technology into classrooms.
And visibility matters too. Jules put it simply: wearing your passion for print outwardly, like an Ink Runs Deep varsity jacket, signals to the next generation that this is an industry worth joining.
None of it happens without operating dollars. And that’s where the Ink Runs Deep partnership directly makes a difference, giving the Foundation the resources to reach more students, support more programs, and invest in more futures.
Anna Mitchell: What the scholarship makes possible
Anna didn’t come from a print family. She found the industry through graphic design classes in high school, and when she wanted more, something with an engineering edge, she found packaging science.
Now she’s a sophomore at Clemson, minoring in Sustainability, and already thinking about the innovations the industry needs: better packaging transparency, stronger consumer communication, and sustainable solutions that don’t sacrifice creativity.
The FGCE scholarship is helping Anna focus on what matters most: her education. But Anna is quick to say the support is bigger than the financial piece.
“It feels like a fan at a sports game cheering me on, telling me to push through the obstacles and keep going.” – Anna Mitchell
Jules sees students like Anna as proof of what the Foundation is built for: not just funding a degree, but staying present throughout, connecting scholars to the industry, checking in, and making sure they have what they need to succeed.
Why this partnership matters to us
At PlanProphet, we build technology for print shops. But the health of this industry isn’t just about the shops that exist today, it’s about the people who will run, innovate, and grow them tomorrow.
Ink Runs Deep is how we show up for that future. Partnering with the FGCE and the NPSOA means our support goes directly into the hands of students like Anna, and the infrastructure these organizations have spent years building.
Print demand is growing. The next generation is ready. We’re proud to be part of what brings them in.
About Ink Runs Deep
Ink Runs Deep is PlanProphet’s initiative to give back to the print industry, the people, organizations, and students who keep it moving forward. To support the cause, we created a limited-edition varsity jacket, handcrafted by Golden Bear. Every jacket sold is a direct investment in the future of print.
Show your passion for print. Get your Ink Runs Deep jacket
About The Foundation for Graphic Communication Education
The Foundation is a not-for-profit, private, industry-directed organization that assists talented youth interested in graphic communications careers and pursuing education at technical colleges and universities. The Foundation for Graphic Communication Education drives innovation and excellence in the printing and graphic arts industry. We invest in the future by awarding scholarships to students, providing grants to schools, and strengthening academic programs. Through advocacy and outreach, we champion the essential role of print and graphics in communication, creativity, and commerce — ensuring the industry continues to grow, adapt, and inspire.
Each year the foundation grants over $700,000 in scholarships and educational grants.
