California Polytechnic University’s Graphic Communication program has recently received a donation of SpotOn! Flexo software and training from All Printing Resources and SpotOn Press. This donation to the university’s program is a new tool that will help further the education of graphic arts students in the area of flexo print technology, pre-press processes, and quality control.

SpotOn! Flexo is a software package that addresses a common issue—the lack of spot color ink density information available to the press operator. Using SpotOn! Flexo, the operator can use spectral data provided from a spectrophotometer and get optimal density information, for a spot color to match a reference color.

“We are really pleased to offer Cal Poly the latest industry innovation: a new pressroom software tool that flexographic press operators can use to target optimum density for spot colors,” says Richard Black, director of digitalsolutions for All Printing Resources. “SpotOn! Flexo is new leading-edge technology that makes it possible to get optimum color reproduction and density information for any spot color (including C,M,Y,K), right at your fingertips.”

The new donation will be used as part of the school’s Flexographic Printing Technology course. Cal Poly, located in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA, has an industry-leading education program in a variety of printing methods and technologies.

“APR is a great supporter of education, and we appreciate their partnership in helping us educate our students with innovative solutions,” says Malcolm Keif, professor at Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication program. “SpotOn! Flexo is such a great addition to our program because it’s new technology that simplifies the process of matching color on press.”

The Cal Poly Graphic Communication curriculum focuses on various printing methods, and specific applications to the management and technical function of flexographic printing technology. Cal Poly’s Flexography course includes laboratory sessions, where SpotOn! Flexo will be featured in a hands-on demonstration of this new technology for students considering a flexography printing career.

“We are delighted with how our students can immediately see if they are in spec or out of spec, and whether simple changes in ink metering can achieve the delta-Es required,” says Keif. “We use SpotOn! Flexo in both our academic programs, as well as our industry workshops. It is a vital tool for reducing make-ready time and ensuring process control throughout a press run.”

“Creating specific tools for differing types of printing methods has always been a goal of SpotOn!,” says Bruce Bayne, creator of SpotOn! software. SpotOn!, a process control software to aid in printing to specifications, was first released in 2008 and has been a leader in evaluating printing conditions to ISO and G7 methodologies. “We are pleased to team with APR to donate this technology to Cal Poly,” adds Bayne.