The first edition of “FlexoGurukul” a flexographic print training program launched by New Delhi-based Fasco Printech Private Limited was held at Khar Gymkhana Mumbai, April 28-29, 2014. Italian press manufacturer Omet was the event’s exclusive sponsor. The featured flexo trainer was Frank Burgos, president of USA-based FlexoExchange.com, a flexo training service provider. Burgos has 30 years of flexo industry exoerience. Since 1997, when he founded FlexoExchange.com, he has served as the moderator of FlexoExchange’s technical forum, troubleshooting print problems and offering advice to thousands of members from across the globe. Many of his articles can be found on FlexoExchange.com, covering topics as wide-ranging as attitude to blending and working of inks efficiently. In addition, he is the creator of “Ugly Flexo,” a popular YouTube channel dedicated to flexographic printing, where Burgos has produced over 90 educational video tutorials.

The success of FlexoGurukul confirms the vacuum that exists in India’s printing industry with regard to training and technical empowerment. Fasco Printech’s program is designed to spread over two years with two sessions each year, one during the spring and one in autumn. The first session has touched upon the basics of flexographic printing and in the following sessions more advanced training will be delivered. The autumn session is proposed to be held just before Labelexpo India in New Delhi. Out of over 130 attendees at the event, more than 70% were from printing companies which included those from narrow web flexo, wide web flexo and offset printing. The balance was mostly suppliers to the industry.

FlexoGurukul is the brainchild of Fasco Printech CEO Pawandeep Sahni, who says,”FlexoGurukul is the concept for empowering the owners and senior management on flexo printing. We are committed to help flexo printing companies grow to global levels.”

Chief mentor of FlexoGurukul Harveer Sahni adds, “We would like the training and education part to grow up to become an institute. We have a vision and hope to accomplish it substantially some day for the benefit of the flexo printing industry.” Sahni also was grateful for the event’s sponsor, Omet. “Without their support we could not have achieved what we have,” he said.

On the first day of the program Burgos spoke about the Importance of inks in the flexo process. He also covered topics like photopolymer plates, both analog and digital and problems related to plate defects. On day two Burgos continued with plate defects and thereafter moved on to platemounting tapes and anilox rollers.

Suppliers at the event included Avery Dennison, UPM Raflatac, Siegwerk, Fujifilm Sericol, Kaygee Loparex, RotoMetrics, Tesa Tape, Esko, Daetwyler, X-Rite, Nilpeter and more.