Flexo plate supplier Asahi Photoproducts is set to start a training course, combining prepress workflow, platemaking and flexo printing, which will be held at the Gallus Experience Center in St Gallen, Switzerland.
Classes are scheduled to each consist of four days of training. The first sessions are planned as part of the Esko MasterClass Series, from 12 to 15 March, featuring aspects of flexo workflow and screening technologies, sustainable platemaking production and then going on-press. Subsequent Masterclasses are planned for 24 to 27 June, 23 to 26 September and 9 to 12 December.
Topics to be covered include: Esko screening technologies, workflow, and plate imaging solutions; Asahi’s water-wash platemaking, including calibration of exposure time, plate washout speed, finishing and drying time; and printing the plates on a Gallus flexo press, including curve calibration and print performance checks. There will also be a ‘consolidated view’ to demonstrate the ease of use of plate production from Asahi, Esko and Gallus to deliver sustainable solutions to the printing converter.
Dieter Niederstadt, Asahi’s technical marketing manager commented on the importance of training for a new generation of printers. He said, ‘We have seen several developments in our industry, from ‘potato printing’ to a high-quality flexographic printing process.
‘Whereas previously many operations, such as file separation, platemaking, and printing, were separated, now with the rising integration of automation, it is easier to bring them together under one roof at the printing converter. This does, however, call for added-value training courses for the next operator generation to come.’
The Gallus Experience Center brings together various partners such as Asahi, Gallus and Esko to collaborate and drive innovation in the industry. These sessions are expected to provide attendees with hands-on experience with the presented solutions, as well as the ability to ask questions to industry experts and network with peers.
Dario Urbinati, CEO of Gallus Group, commented, ‘Together, we are thrilled to host these transformative MasterClass training days, symbolising our dedication to advancing the industry through shared knowledge and forward-thinking solutions.’
Thomas Klein, CTO of Esko, concluded, ‘The MasterClass training sessions at the Gallus Experience Center now allow attendees to have a holistic view of the entire process, from the incoming artwork via flexo platemaking to the final print, providing invaluable insights into how automation is enabling greater ease of-use than ever before.’
