Collaboration for Education

In May 2016, AICC collaborated with Clemson, Pamarco, All Printing Resources, DuPont, and Measure Color to provide a first-of-its-kind flexography class for independent corrugated converters. AICC has consistently demonstrated its commitment to educating independent converters, and this new series of classes has raised the bar for hands-on training and problem-solving. The event, hosted by AICC and Clemson University, served to educate converters on the growing trend for high-line graphics covering all market applications from point-of-display to boxes. This push to high-line graphics and the expectations of brand owners exceed anything seen in the past. As customer needs change, converters are being called upon to print finer line screen and increasingly intricate graphics—a need that requires corrugated converters to develop new skills and become familiar with the technologies required for success.

Flexography class attendees watch a presentation on the care and maintenance of anilox rolls.

The above select group of suppliers, led by Scott Ellis of P2 and Kern Cox of Clemson University, were brought together by AICC for this class in order to provide the tools, answer questions, and act as a forum to address the needs and challenges of the converter. This approach to education and problem-solving combines many areas of expertise, rather than printers receiving isolated responses that may or may not provide the best solution to their specific problem.

The key areas of discussion surrounded the importance of controlling ink film thickness and the techniques to control ink viscosity and color strength. Also covered were the importance of prepress, color separation targets to achieving ideal tonal scales and gray balance, and the value of running a banded anilox roll test to dial in the ideal engraving specifications. All these things come together at the print nip, and if the correct components and specifications are selected, the results will meet or exceed the expectations of brand owners.

Preparing for the print trial

Each day, the class was concluded with a group discussion and one-on-one time with suppliers. These moments of personalization gave the printers the ability to go from an array of opinions to a more in-depth answer to their individual —a version of what many would call a root cause analysis. This one-on-one time also allowed the printers to glean a better understanding of specific products directly from each area in the press.

Attendees participate in the print trial

This class provided access not only to information and education, but also to practical problem-solving. An example of this is one attendee being able to provide a print sample for the group to troubleshoot; the problem was identified and a solution developed. In addition, the class was held at Clemson’s Printcon facility, which houses a press and allowed attendees an opportunity to participate in real-time problem-solving exercises. This provided information about common to look for in the press room, as well as methods to prevent and correct the . Practical, hands-on experience can provide invaluable information for printers to utilize in their own facilities and make lasting strides to improve the quality of their print.

As the marketing manager of Pamarco, I see the need for these classes continuing and increasing in importance as point-of-display and box graphics create a pop and sell the product inside. Growth of corrugated packaging capability is just one component of the brand’s print needs, and the objective is to match the other processes used to promote the product. Getting corrugated to match the results of flexo labels, offset-printed primary packaging, and those items printed by inkjet is the real goal.

Katie Graham is marketing manager at Pamarco. She may be reached at katie.graham@pamarco.com.