California Polytechnic State University’s graphic communications department now has a DP 8500 narrow web digital color printer, donated by its manufacturer, Degrava Systems, Roswell, GA, USA. Cal Poly is based in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.
 
“We believe it’s important for colleges and universities have access to new technology because their students will one day drive the industry’s growth and innovation,” says Tim Sykes, vice president of sales and marketing, Degrava Systems. “The graphic communication department at Cal Poly is well regarded within the industry and we are excited by the opportunity to have our print solutions be a part of Cal Poly’s high level of instruction and research.”
 
University officials say that the DP 8500 meets an educational need at the school because of printing industry trends toward digital short run, low waste, color printing.  According to Harvey Levenson, head of Cal Poly’s graphic communication department, sustainability and Lean manufacturing have become more than buzz words in the industry, increasing demand for printing solutions that offer low waste, digital short-run color that require little or no excess inventory.
 
“It is imperative that a leading and forward thinking university such as Cal Poly provide education in graphic communication that is cutting edge,” says Levenson, who also serves as director of the Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly. “We must teach realistic processes and workflow as we prepare the future leadership of the field and improve the ability of the present leadership to run the industry. The DP 8500 represents the components of present trends – digital, short-run color, low waste, and sustainable production.”
 
The university has one of the best-known graphic communication programs in the nation, with 300 students enrolled in a bachelor of science degree program that offers concentrations in graphics and packaging, printing and imaging management, electronic publishing and imaging, and design reproduction technology. Founded in 1946, the department features more than 33,000 square feet of laboratory space.