Donation of KODAK PRINERGY CONNECT Workflow gives students hands-on experience with advanced, automated production 

ROCHESTER, N.Y, - Kodak played a leading role at the recent 2014 International Printing Week, held January 27-31 at Cal Poly’s San Luis Obispo campus. Organized by the Graphic Communication Department (GRC), the annual event featured a lecture series, banquet, and career fair. As one of the primary sponsors of this year’s event, Kodak presented an overview of its business and solutions portfolio, shared industry insights as part of the Career Day, participated in the Cal Poly GRC Advisory Board meeting, and joined other Board members and students for an “Industry Perspectives” panel discussion.

International Printing Week commemorates Benjamin Franklin and his contributions to society and promotes the importance of today’s printing and publishing industry. The program—under the theme of “The Future of Graphic Communication”—expanded to five full days this year and once again attracted hundreds of participants.

“When you look at the next generation of printing professionals and see the passion they have for the industry,” said Ken Macro, GRC Department Chair at Cal Poly, “it’s clear that we all are in very good hands. This program provides an excellent opportunity for student, analysts, and experts from the supplier side to gather and exchange ideas in a variety of forums. We recognize the importance of giving students access to the people and companies influencing the future of graphic communications.”

In addition to presenting in the program and interacting with students and attendees throughout the week, Kodak also received a Dedication Award for its donation and installation of a complete KODAK PRINERGY CONNECT Workflow solution in the school’s production area. The software will be used to run daily production for the school’s internal marketing services and will also be used in student instruction. Over the years, Kodak has donated platesetters, plates, processing chemistry, and proofers to the school’s program as well.

PRINERGY CONNECT Workflow solutions are designed to deliver outstanding performance for all sizes of commercial and publication printers and trade shops. Each workflow configuration offers automated processing, including preflight, color management, trapping, and imposition. In addition, the solution offers blended offset and digital press management—a single, centralized solution that enables printers to drive jobs to both offset and digital presses.

“Technology changes so quickly today, and we want to be sure that students are being trained on the latest innovative solutions that they will likely use as they enter the printing workforce,” added Jon Bracken,  Kodak’s General Manager of Unified Workflow Solutions. “Many of them will encounter PRINERGY Workflow Solutions in the field and this will help them hit the ground running.”

In July, Kodak will host the summer Cal Poly Advisory Board meeting in its Dayton, Ohio facility and will provide attendees with a tour and overview of its inkjet printing solutions.