Digital press manufacturer Xeikon has combined all its training expertise into a single initiative with its newly-launched Xeikon STAR Program. Developed for all Xeikon press operators, it has been created to add value, establish a stepped approach to increasing knowledge and expertise, offer a “certified” program of Xeikon training curriculum and enable the customer trainees to fully optimize the performance of their Xeikon solution in all aspects of their business.

Frederik Vervenne, Xeikon’s vice president of services, explains: “Our customers see us as a trusted advisor in digital production and applications and this is a way for us to apply our expertize to make an increasing digital production a successful experience for our customers. The Xeikon STAR Program will improve customer productivity and performance. And all those positive enhancements translate into increasing revenue for the customers. It will also offer a more focused approach to Xeikon training options building up to an ‘Expert’ status upon full completion of the program.”

Six elements
There are six elements divided into three sections: Start with Basic Operator Training and Basic Workflow Training; Produce with Training for Production Efficiency and Training for Workflow Efficiency and Optimize with Advanced Media Scripting Training and Advanced Color Training.

Basic Operator Training will give the Xeikon press operator the baseline knowledge to print and operate the Xeikon digital press and raster image processor to produce high quality customer production jobs. It will focus on familiarizing operators with the press components and functionality, cover Raster Image Processing for the X-800 digital front-end, look at standard digital front-end RIP settings and review ways to maintain good print quality.

Basic Workflow Training will give the press and prepress operators the baseline knowledge to operate the Xeikon digital front-end Raster Imaging Processor and understand basic X-800 features and functions to produce high quality customer production jobs. It will include an introduction to MyPress, details on how to manipulate the digital front-end system and analyze X-800 jobs.

Efficiency trainings
Training for Production Efficiency will enable the press operator to perform all maintenance tasks, and deliver operational ‘know-how’ resulting in improved press productivity and operations. It will review ‘Basic’ knowledge of Xeikon Technology, functionality, and handling as well as preventative maintenance, track and perform maintenance tasks and recognize and resolve image defects.
Training for Workflow Efficiency will give the pre-press and press operators the advanced knowledge to effectively operate the Xeikon X-800 digital front-ends’ features and functions. They will learn how to create basic to complex workflows, review and select correct JTF settings, analyze the X-800 jobs and understand the different reporting functions and use Metadata for improved workflow automation.

Optional extras include learning about Xeikon Color Key, an advanced tool that gives the operator a report indicating the justification for color “Delta E” variance at the job level and the next steps for color correction and manipulation.

Advanced knowledge
Advanced Media Scripting Training will give the press operator advanced knowledge in creating media scripts for compatible substrates – making set-up efficient and productive. This training will cover in-depth learning of how to script media substrates, optimize imaging quality, improve printing stability, and minimize waste.

Advanced Color Training (also part of Xeikon ColorServices) will give the pre-press and press operators advanced knowledge in color and help them build their knowledge from basic to expert certified levels to improve color management skill set and print production. Topics covered include Xeikon ColorControl training, set-up and configuration of DFE’s (XCC activation and configure color workflows) and an introduction to color management.

Optional sessions will be on in-depth process corrective aims, profile creation techniques, business development. Xeikon ColorControl + G7 Compliance Certification Training is also part of this element and focuses on Xeikon ColorControl Training, Introduction to G7 and Methodology, Theory, G7 in Practice and G7 in Pre-Press.

Hands on exercises 
As every stage is completed a certificate is awarded with a Star for each individual element until all six stars have been attained.

The program itself will be continually assessed by the Xeikon team to ensure its effectiveness. Vervenne adds: “We have developed customer surveys for every class. This will help us track immediate response rates. We will also continue to measure service calls and prints volume so that we know that the classes are working and what the customers like or dislike about them.”