Lackawanna County school adds Mark Andy press

Career and Technology Center of Lackawanna County has installed a Mark Andy 2200 flexographic press in its Graphic Production program, giving students hands-on access to equipment used in professional print environments as part of a broader push to align classroom training with industry needs.

The center, a consortium of eight school districts in northeastern Pennsylvania, worked with the Phoenix Challenge Foundation to source and place the press. The Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit approaching its 30th year of supporting flexographic education, has directly influenced more than 600 students now working across the graphic arts, design and label and packaging printing industries.

Students will gain practical experience in press setup, operation, color management and quality control through the new equipment.

'This is a gamechanger for our students,' said Rebecca Rinella, instructor of the Graphic Production program. 'Having access to this level of equipment allows us to simulate real-world production environments and provide the kind of practical experience employers are looking for.'