Flint Group's China Academy finds success

Flint Group Flexographic Products again organized the Chinese Summer Flexo Academy, which started on July 16 in Shanghai. The subject of this year’s event was flexo wide web printing. The five day program, including classroom training and on-site practice, focused on helping teachers deepen their knowledge and develop more expertise within the flexographic industry. More than thirty teachers from twelve packaging and printing colleges from all over China attended the training sessions.

Like last year, Flint Group’s partners, Auclean, Esko and Tesa, offered presentations and exercises. Additionally, X-Rite and their distributor, Pancolor, as well as the wide format flexographic press manufacturer Huayang, were invited to share their knowledge on color control and press simulator systems. The international brand management supplier, Schawk, provided insight into the latest packaging trends. Johnson & Johnson, one of the world’s leading consumer and health care companies, and Philips, a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, reported on their experience in creating environmental friendly and sustainable packaging designs.

The afternoon session on the fourth day was held at Flint Group Flexographic Products’ Asia technical center. During practical lessons, teachers learned to produce a digital flexo printing form by going through the complete process from back exposure via laser imaging to main exposure, washing, drying, light finishing and quality check. They were excited to take home their own plate samples, which they had made themselves.

During his introductory speech, Gong Renchou, chairman of the China Flexographic Technology Association, expressed his appreciation for Flint Group and their partners, who organized such an educational program to support and promote the Chinese flexo industry.

“This has been a good opportunity for all of us to learn more about flexography”, said Keyin Malan, media reporter. “The course ranges from the advanced digital plate making technology and plate making practice, to a live demo of the wide web IC flexographic press and brand owner’s opinion to a sustainable development of packages. We really hope that the cooperation between industry-leading suppliers and universities can continue, to train more teachers in this technology and promote the development of the flexographic printing industry in China.”