Graphic Arts International Union

The Cleveland Local No. 24-P of the Graphic Arts International Union was founded in 1900 as a part of the International Typographical Union; at this time, the local had nineteen members. In 1903, the International Photoengravers Union of North American and the International Typographical Union agreed to the transfer of all photoengraving locals to the jurisdiction of the photoengravers union. The process of photo-engraving, although no longer done completely by hand, consists of making an etched printing plate from a photograph or drawing. This skill is an important part of the publishing, advertising and other industries producing large quantities of identical printed pictures. In addition to this change in status, Cleveland Local No. 24-P received a charter from the American Federation of Labor in that same year.

In the 1930's the Photoengravers made the first moves toward a merger with the Amalgamated Lithographers of America by encouraging cooperation between photoengraving and lithographic locals. These first tentative moves culminated in the 1964 merger of the two internationals into Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union.

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