Course Title: Printing Excellence in Flexible Packaging: Processes, Innovations & Applications

    Duration: 2 Days (6 Hours/Day)

    Mode: In-person

    Target Audience: Production Supervisors, Officers & Managers, Quality Assurance Officers & Managers, Machine Operators, Supply Chain Officers, and Packaging Design Developers.

    Course Details

    Day 1: Fundamentals of Printing in Flexible Packaging (6 Hours)

    Session 1: Introduction to Printing Technologies & Applications (1.5 Hours)

    • Role of printing in flexible packaging
    • Overview of different printing technologies
      Rotogravure Printing
      Flexographic Printing
      Digital Printing
      Offset & Screen Printing for Packaging
    • Applications of each technology in food, pharmaceutical, and FMCG packaging

    Session 2: Raw Materials & Ink Selection for Flexible Packaging (1.5 Hours)

    • Types of Substrates & Their Printability
      BOPP, PET, PE, CPP, MPET, Alu foil, Paper
    • Types of Inks & Their Properties
      Water-based, solvent-based, UV-curable inks
      Ink adhesion, drying process & compatibility with substrates
    • Ink Performance & Barrier Coating

    Session 3: Printing Machinery & Equipment Overview (2 Hours)

    • Rotogravure Printing Machines: Working principle, components & operation
    • Flexographic Printing Machines: Plate technology, ink transfer & press setup
    • Digital Printing in Packaging: Advantages, limitations & future trends
    • Printing Press Setup & Troubleshooting
    • Maintenance & calibration of printing machine

    Session 4: Printing Quality Parameters & Control (1 Hour)

    • Key quality parameters in printing (registration, color consistency, adhesion, sharpness)
    • Role of Densitometry & Spectrophotometry in color management
    • Printing defects: Causes & troubleshooting (smudging, ghosting, misregistration, poor adhesion)

    Activity: Video Demonstration of Printing Machine Component

    Day 2: Advanced Printing Techniques, Quality Assurance & Cost Optimization (6 Hours)

    Session 5: Advanced Printing Technologies & Modern Practices (1.5 Hours)

    • High-Resolution Printing Techniques
    • Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Printing Practices
      VOC reduction, water-based inks, biodegradable substrates
    • Anti-Counterfeit & Security Printing in Packaging
      Holograms, QR codes, thermochromic & UV inks

    Session 6: Printing Design Considerations & Aesthetic Appeal (1.5 Hours)

    • Impact of Culture, Psychology & Consumer Behavior on Packaging Design
    • Legal & Compliance Considerations in Printing
      Labeling regulations, font size, multilingual packaging
    • Enhancing Aesthetic Appeal through Finishing Effects
      Gloss, matte, soft-touch coatings, foiling, embossing

    Activity: Analyzing Printed Samples & Identifying Key Features

    Session 7: Quality Assurance & Process Control in Printing (1.5 Hours)

    • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Printing Quality Checks
    • Key Tests for Print Durability
      Abrasion resistance, ink rub testing, light fastness
    • Standardization in Printing: G7, ISO 12647-2, FOGRA

    Session 8: Cost Optimization & Supply Chain Efficiency in Printing (1.5 Hours)

    • Cost Breakdown in Printing Operations
      Ink consumption, material waste, press downtime
    • Process Optimization to Reduce Wastage & Improve Efficiency
    • Vendor Selection & Negotiation Strategies for Printing Materials

    Activity: Group Exercise on Cost Reduction Strategies in Printing

    Learning Outcomes
    By the end of this course, participants will: Gain expertise in different printing technologies used in flexible packaging Understand raw materials, inks & substrates for high-quality printing Learn about advanced printing machinery & troubleshooting techniques Develop skills in color management & print quality control Explore innovative printing technologies & sustainability practices Optimize cost while maintaining high-quality packaging designs