Improving & Maintaining the Standards of the Graphic Arts Industry
Who We Are
Printing Industry Association of the South (PIAS) is a non-profit trade association dedicated to the stability and growth of the graphic arts industry. Serving a seven-state region with an active membership of printers, trade houses, paper houses, press manufacturers and various other support service organizations, we share a common goal…to improve and maintain the standard of the graphic arts industry.
Serving 7 States
Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia
Serving the South for Over 100 Years
1893
The roots of the Printing Industry Association of the South (PIAS) go back to the year 1893. Nashville, as well as 32 other cities in the United States, had combined to form the United Typothetae of America, which is now the Printing Industries of America.
1914
Up until 1914, the Nashville group was known as the Nashville Typothetae. In 1914, the name of the association was changed to the Nashville Printers Club, Inc.
1937
In 1937, the name was changed once again to the Printing Industry of Nashville.
1950s
The original territory of the association was Nashville, TN. In the late 1950’s it was extended to include from Nashville south to Chattanooga and east to Bristol and was to include all but 13 counties in West Tennessee.
1968
In 1968, the association was granted jurisdiction over the state of Alabama. In 1970, the Printing Industry of Memphis which held jurisdiction over 13 counties in Tennessee, 10 in Arkansas and the Printing Industry of New Orleans which had jurisdiction over the state of Louisiana and six counties in Mississippi joined and formed the Printing Industry of the Mid-South.
1973
In 1973, the membership had a desire to increase its membership, change its name and expand its services. A new President of the Association was hired and the state of Arkansas was added to the jurisdiction.
1974
In 1974, after the name change and with Board representatives from each state, the Printing Industry Association of Kentucky closed their association and added their jurisdiction to PIAS.
1980
In 1980, the printers of West Virginia, which was a part of the Printing Industry Association of the Virginias, elected to withdraw from the Virginia association and join PIAS, extending the PIAS territory to 7 states.