For his Master’s thesis "Factors Influencing Digital Letterpress Plates During Processing" Rico Hagedorn, Flint Group Flexographic Products, has been presented with this year’s Doepfert award. This prize has been offered by the Adolf I. Doepfert-Stiftung Foundation, which was established to promote the education of engineers in the graphic arts industry. Since the winter semester 2003/2004 students of the Stuttgart Media University have been honoured with this award for their scientific work or final papers.

In his thesis, Rico Hagedorn dealt with the factors influencing processing of digital nyloprint^® letterpress plates in general and printing plates of the WS 73 D and WS 58 D types in particular, especially for printing of security and safety documents. At the same time, the effect of several exposure sources has been analysed.

Originally, Rico Hagedorn completed his education as the best screen printer of the federal state of Hessen (Germany). After his diploma in metal technology, he decided to study printing and media technology at the Stuttgart Media University (Bachelor of Engineering). He completed his practical semester at a large packaging company in Sweden. Subsequently, he started his master studies in Stuttgart, where he wrote his master thesis at Flint Group Flexographic Products. Rico Hagedorn is delighted with the accolade: "My job in this company was great, and I have been supported very much. We all could benefit from each other, I for myself from the know-how of the colleagues, and the colleagues from my new ideas. Now, the Doepfert award is the crowning glory for all of us".

"We are proud of our staff member, Rico Hagedorn, for receiving the prestigious Doepfert award. This prize is also a big compliment for his manager, Anke Frieser-Tausch and the team, Christoph Baldermann and Michael Zeller, who provided Rico with their full support. Additionally, it demonstrates the high scientific level, on which we provide products and solutions to our customers", comments Dr. Uwe Stebani, Vice President Technology Flint Group Flexographic Products.

Rico Hagedorn (third from left) and the professors, Gunther Huebner and Dr. Wolfgang Faigle, from the Stuttgart Media University as well as the Flint Group Flexographic Products’ colleagues Anke Frieser-Tausch, Michael Zeller and Christoph Baldermann are pleased with the award.