World-class training

Representing an impressive investment, the space is tastefully decked out with Esko signage and a colour scheme that reflects Esko’s corporate green and grey.

Not surprisingly, Bob Cork and his son Gareth are immensely proud of the result, and keen to underline how effectively they’ll be able to work with customers in what they believe to be an exceptional showplace.

Dedicated to Esko customers – either existing users or those contemplating the purchase of these advanced systems – the facility features 12 work-stations for participants, and a large LED screen, on which the tutor can demonstrate the operation of Esko’s latest software.

Training will initially be available on Esko’s structural design software, ArtiosCAD, including 3D modelling and layout tools, the Studio suites of packaging design programs, and on the Cape Pack palletisation and Cape Truckfill optimisation programs. But essentially Esko’s entire range of software used by packaging designers, brand owners and printers to develop packaging and display materials is on offer.

Between them Gareth Cork and André Bijou are taking charge of local training on these programs. However, when required – especially for newly-introduced packages – training staff from Esko’s Belgian headquarters will be imported to provide additional expertise.

The facility is available for single-company training sessions, or for multi-company training where participants come from non-conflicting industries, or can be tailored specifically to suit whatever tuition is required.

As Bob Cork explains, ‘For the coming year we plan to publish a comprehensive timetable of courses on offer. In addition, we’ll schedule a calendar of visits for our customers – whether brand owners, designers or printers – offering them enhanced and updated training in this demonstration area.’

Adds Gareth Cork: ‘We will provide concentrated training without the interruptions that often occur when we provide training in the workplace.’

All the software necessary to replicate any workflow environment that mirrors customers’ operations is available, allowing participants to experiment to see how new systems might improve their productivity and print quality.

And last word goes to Peter Hargreaves, sales account manager for Esko in South Africa: ‘We recognise that training and knowledge sharing are essentials in enabling our customers to move their businesses forward.’

Esko’s HD Letterpress for stunning cans

Esko has extended the application of its award-winning HD technology with the introduction of HD Letterpress, a plate imaging technology for metal-backed plates that allows printing of beverage or aerosol cans with a wider tonal range, plus a significant increase in detail.

‘If your can doesn’t stand out instore, your investment in product development and packaging design is largely wasted because consumers make final buying decisions at point of sale,’ explained Esko’s Thomas Klein, speaking at the system’s worldwide début at Labelexpo.

Packs such as metal cans and plastic tubes are often printed dry offset, a method that brings particular challenges when it comes to achieving high print quality. Unlike other print processes, dry offset involves multiple inks being placed ‘wet-on-wet’ on a common blanket. This means that smooth highlights and clear fine lines or negative text are difficult to achieve. With HD Letterpress, Esko has extended its HD concept to resolve some of these issues.