Harper’s Solutions Tour makes final stop

On August 1, global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America and a group of suppliers updated, informed and entertained an audience of 90 flexo industry professionals with a full day of continuing flexo education at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, during the final stop on this year’s Harper Flexographic Solutions Tour.

Attendees aren’t the only ones who learn at the road shows. Dave Watson of Harper GraphicSolutions commented, ‘I learned so much new information about films from Jose Alfaro’s presentation. It was the first time Mitsubishi presented at a show this year. We learn a lot from each other.’

The day’s presentations included:
• Pre-Press Practices that Control Color Management presented by Alex James of Harper GraphicSolutions
• Analog vs. Digital Plate Operational Differences presented by Randy Lee of Anderson & Vreeland
• How Anilox Rolls Affect Print, and What is Available For Combo Printing Jobs and White Ink Applications presented by David Watson of Harper GraphicSolutions
• Ink Handling - What Should Be Monitored And Controlled presented by Jonathon Peterson of Water Ink Technologies
• Anilox Scoring: What Affects It And How To Prevent It presented by Tony Donato of HarperScientific
• What A Printer Needs To Know About Film Substrates presented by Jose Alfaro of Mitsubishi Polyester Film
• Care & Maintenance of Anilox Rolls presented by David Watson of Harper GraphicSolutions

‘Offering two presentations in the same state really gave us a pleasant surprise,’ said Tony Donato of HarperScientific. ‘Initially, we had some concern that such close proximity might mean low attendance at the second presentation. But in fact, the opposite happened: Companies came to Charlotte from markets like Atlanta, and were so happy with the conference, they sent several more people up for the Greensboro show!’

Dr Dean Gilbert, assistant professor in the NC A&T graphic communications department, led attendees on a tour of the university’s flexo facility. He commented, ‘North Carolina A&T State University considers it an honor and a pleasure to host the Harper Solutions Tour. We were able to show nearly 100 members of the flexographic industry our facilities, equipment, and faculty. It gave us the opportunity to discuss our equipment and supply needs, and to inform the industry that, with more than 300 graphic communication majors, we are a great resource for their personnel needs. We were able to spread the word that employers can hire our students for 15-week internships – a great way to preview their skills and talents! We look forward to working with Harper Corporation on future workshops and projects.’

Pete Hartman, vice president of sales at Harper Corporation added, ‘The people at NC A&T were extremely gracious hosts. This event was a great close to a fantastic season of road shows, and we can’t wait to bring out a new and improved version in 2007!’