The primary purpose of the Southern Graphics Council’s Print Collection and Archives is to collect, organize, preserve and make available for research donated prints created by members of the Southern Graphics Council which are archived in the organization's print collection. It is also the repository of ancillary artifacts that represent and document the existence of the organization. Official Southern Graphics Council records are defined as

all information, regardless of media type or characteristics, made or received and maintained by members of the Southern Graphics Council

The Southern Graphics Council Print Collection and Archives strives to provide adequate facilities for the retention and preservation of official SGC materials. In addition to its physical presence at the University of Mississippi Museum at Oxford, Mississippi, the print collection is available online. The online print collection promotes world-wide knowledge and understanding of the Southern Graphics Council and makes available the use of the collection by members of the Southern Graphics Council and the community at large for research and educational purposes. Furthermore, it provides additional resources of research through its artist biographies and information exchange.

The Southern Graphics Council Print Collection and Archive also organizes, describes, preserves, and makes available for research and reference use of records of individuals and organizations not directly connected with the Southern Graphics Council should the subject matter of the collection bear some relevance to the collecting interests and strengths developed by the staff of the Southern Graphics Councils Print Collection and Archives.