Seeking to expand the capabilities and capacity of the DiTrolio Flexographic Institute (DFI), Broadview, IL, USA, owner Vince DiTrolio asked Ron and Katherine Harper for advice. The Harpers, founders of Harper Corporation of America in Charlotte, NC, USA, responded with a grant of $50,000 to launch DFI’s new fundraising campaign for the school.

To acknowledge that contribution, DFI has designated its production area “The Ron and Katherine Harper Flexo Lab”. DiTrolio says he hopes to attract other major donor-partners, both converters and suppliers, to contribute to the ongoing education of future flexographers, primarily through scholarship programs. A naming dedication and celebration date for the flexo lab will be announced soon.

DFI’s 2,700 square-foot flexographic training facility is located about 20 minutes from downtown Chicago. The lab includes a range of flexographic equipment, including an 830 Mark Andy three-color press, a four-color Webtron, a five-color 13″ Propheteer with DMS hot stamping and Prime UV units on four print stations, Anderson & Vreeland platemaking equipment, an Air Trim waste removal system, a BST Promark web inspection system, RotoMetrics dies, Action Rotary dies, a Harper proofing system, and Harper XLT Platinum anilox rolls.

The institute offers a comprehensive 18-week flexography training program as well as a wide range of shorter customized courses to train people for jobs in the flexographic printing field.