Irvine, Calif. – Roland DGA Corp. and Clemson University’s Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics have teamed up to bring the benefits of Roland’s advanced VersaUV UV-LED inkjet technology to the school’s students, faculty, research staff and corporate partners.

“The Sonoco Institute is one of the nation’s leading educational programs focused on packaging science and graphic communications disciplines,” said Hiroshi Ono, group product manager for Roland DGA Corp.  “We are honored to work with this renowned organization and to help Sonoco develop exciting new concepts for packaging, graphic design and corporate branding.”

Winner of prestigious DPI and EDP awards and, most recently, the 2010 Label Industry Global Award for New Innovation, Roland VersaUV UV-LED inkjet printer/cutters go beyond CMYK and White inks to offer Clear Coat which can be layered into unique textures and patterns for embossing and varnishing effects.  VersaUV prints, creases, contour cuts, perforates and embosses designs all on one device, allowing professionals to create packaging prototypes and labels in any shape through one seamless workflow.  

VersaUV comes with VersaWorks RIP software including media profiles and advanced features that ensure image quality, minimize maintenance and costs, and provide out-of-the-box success for users.  In addition to labels and packaging prototypes, VersaUV can be used to produce press proofs and is supported by leading commercial color management and proofing solutions from CGS, EFI and GMG. VersaUV is Energy Star certified.

"We are very pleased with the unit,” said Charles Tonkin, director of Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics.  “We have only had it a couple of weeks and the students have just begun utilizing it and producing phenomenal output. As a creative tool in the design process, it not only allows the ability to print on an incredibly wide variety of substrates, but can also create the actual textures and varnishes (matte and gloss) that were simply impossible before. It is a great tool and I really look forward to seeing the results this coming semester."

Sonoco Institute

Clemson’s Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, a cooperative effort between the university’s Departments of Packaging Science and Graphic Communications, is one of the most exciting programs underway at any public research university today. The recently completed Harris A. Smith Building is the new home for the Sonoco Institute.