Neutral Compendium
With the new White Paper Packaging Printing, a complete compendium for all packaging printing has been created for the first time worldwide.On almost 100 pages, the reader learns everything important about the printing processes that are used in the broad field of printing decoration of packaging. Of course, the classic printing processes such as offset printing, gravure printing or flexographic printing are recognized, but digital printing is also not neglected. Even relatively exotic ones such as screen printing or pad printing have their say according to their application. The white paper was written by Professor Dr. Martin Dreher (responsible), and reviewed by printing technology experts from all disciplines before publication.

It can therefore be regarded as a neutral reference work for today's packaging printing. In addition to a brief description of the respective technical conditions, the white paper provides a comprehensive list of the advantages and challenges of the respective process. This is practiced down to the level of the individual applications of the printing process (e.g, in the context of digital printing, the processes of laser printing and inkjet are treated separately and in all their facets). These lists are ideal as argumentation aids in competitive situations. A special feature of this white paper is the explicit assessment of the future prospects of each process. This allows the reader to appreciate and plan for the likely further development. Investment decisions, but also studies on resource consumption and environmental compatibility, can be accelerated and improved.

The explicit consideration of the printing process with the associated printing inks is also unique here. The reader learns which printing processes uses which ink systems and which drying mechanisms are used. This means that tasks and requirement profiles from packaging printing that require a previously unpracticed combination of process, substrate and ink can be evaluated in advance. In this way, highly topical questions such as sustainability can be answered better. Finally, the third section of the White Paper Packaging Printing answers more than a dozen important questions about packaging printing. It is aimed in particular at the developers of packaging, gives appropriate hints and provides valuable help in the new or further development of packaging. The new White Paper Packaging Printing can be obtained from the DFTA Academy in German and English on request. 

Web-Seminars "Basics of Packaging Printing"
As a vertical addition to the white paper, so to speak, the DFTA Academy now also offers a webinar format on the basics of packaging printing. Where the aforementioned white paper is configured more as a reference work for answering specific questions or solving new packaging tasks, this is an explicit training course with the aim of providing the participants with a limited but very quick overview of the packaging printing processes. This is practiced at three different levels in three sessions of around 90 minutes each. Participants in all three modules thus reach from the entry level to the advanced level. In a fourth section, the partner company Siegwerk Printing Inks is expected to focus on printing inks and also address the aspects of sustainability, environmental protection and recycling management. A special feature of the DFTA Academy's Web-Seminars is that all materials are also available as a complete correspondence course. Where the webinar is limited to about 90 minutes, the correspondence course provides more in-depth materials for up to 10 hours of study.

This is aimed at self-taught people who want to know more precisely than possible in 90-minute Web-Seminars. These in-depth materials in the correspondence course not only include detailed text documents - including the aforementioned white paper on packaging printing - but also extensive digital media such as videos and audio files. Further information on this format can be found on the DFTA Academy's website at www.flexodruck-akademie.de.

With these offers, the DFTA Academy is sharpening its services for the training and further education of specialists in packaging printing and flexographic printing. In keeping with the times, digital and internet-based measures are added together, but the normal face-to-face courses with a lot of practice are expressly still in the spectrum. “We notice that the packaging printing industry is doing well to a large extent and that one would like to prepare for increased business activity in the form of further training for employees, especially after the COVID pandemic, by having our employees thoroughly trained in Stuttgart.

We are of course very happy to comply with this." (Professor Dr. Martin Dreher) Other new, partly digital or hybrid training offers are in preparation in addition to the two innovations mentioned above in the DFTA Academy. This of course also includes tailor-made offers for interested companies. About the DFTA Academy The DFTA Academy bundles all education and training measures of the DFTA Industry Association. It offers numerous courses on general and special, as well as basic to very advanced, topics in packaging and flexographic printing.

The portfolio ranges from one-day intensive workshops, over one-week practical seminars to three-week certificate courses. Those interested can find more information at https://www.flexodruck-akademie.de/seminare-lehrgaenge/ (english speaking courses partly included, english web pages under preparation). All offerings available in the english language upon request. We are furthermore available for tailored training programs.

Stuttgart, September 2020
Prof. Dr. Martin Dreher
Scientific Director of the DFTA Technology Center and DFTA Academy