Kiser has been promoted to Supervisor of the lab operation. In his new position, he will coordinate processing of Anilox Roll Audits and oversee the lab's technical assistance in the field.

"Josh's enthusiasm for technical support on behalf of customers has been evident since he joined our company in 2006," said Alexander James, Technical Graphics Manager at Harper GraphicSolutions™. "His thoroughness and overall professionalism make him an ideal choice for greater responsibilities. We're glad he's here."

In the Harper GraphicSolutions™ lab, Kiser and colleagues perform detailed analyses of images generated by Echocheks™ -- a tool for viewing the structure of microscopic anilox roll surfaces. The lab team also prepares Anilox Roll Audits of customer operations. The audits yield insights on the condition of anilox rolls, the quality of anilox engravings and how appropriate the anilox process is for customers' tasks.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Charlotte, NC, April 21, 2011– A record turnout of nearly 200 attended the March 30  roadshow underwritten by global anilox supplier Harper Corporation and hosted by Paper Converting Machine Company/Aquaflex in Green Bay, WI.

The one-day seminar featured seven in-depth presentations on printing and converting technology issues and a 75-minute demonstration of wide web and narrow web press techniques conducted by PCMC/Aquaflex experts.

Attendees heard presentations on a variety of subjects: the latest rotary cutting tools, ways to effectively combine plate and surface screening, use of plate mounting tape, options for enhancing color consistency in the pressroom, tips on boosting printing profits and the benefits of anilox reliability on improving on-press color consistency.

The event included a complimentary lunch and door prizes. The roadshow generated positive feedback from many in the audience, including Jim Costello who traveled 95 miles upstate to the seminar from Menomonee Falls.

“I was extremely impressed by how your team worked with PCMC and the other sponsors in order to put on just an awesome show,” said Costello, Plant Operations Manager at Glenroy, Inc., in an email to Harper officials. “I thought the content, accommodations and structure of the show were great. It was evident to me just how much work went into its preparation.”

Costello said he found the seminar content very informative. “I learned a great deal in just that short time frame and for that I’m very grateful,” he said.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Designed as a protective storage unit that offers operators easy availability, the new stand stores up to six proofer rollers and proofer assembly. The proofer rollers are suspended by their journals to protect the integrity of their engraved surfaces.

The new storage stands feature corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction and rubber supports that won't scratch or mark table surfaces. The stands accommodate both wide hub and more recently introduced narrow hub proofer rollers - both available from HarperScientific.

In addition, the new unit stores assemblies for hand proofing, including the Echocel Junior, Phantom QD and Phantom. By storing proofer assemblies with the rubber roller upright, the stand prevents the creation of flat spots resulting from roller contact with a work bench.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

"Kenneth brings to Harper strong credentials - in-depth knowledge of manufacturing and the ability to motivate and direct those around him," said Lee Kluttz, Plant Manager at Harper Corporation. "We are pleased to have him on board."

Gordon brings to Harper extensive experience in supervision and knowledge of production. He spent 16 years with The Motor Shop, a Gastonia, N.C. supplier and servicer of electric motors, pumps, gearboxes, variable speed drives, generators and other devices. Most recently, Gordon served as that company's Shop Foreman and Administrator.

He also spent four years as Maintenance Supervisor and Facilities Manager at State Line Scrap Metal Inc., a privately held Gastonia wholesaler of recyclable materials including iron and scrap metals.

Gordon said Harper Corporation's reputation for quality; its embrace and understanding of technology and the caring culture it maintains for all staff members combine to make the company an attractive career choice for anyone.

"They have earned the respect of everyone in the printing and coating supplies industry and I look forward to making a contribution," Gordon said.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Certification of Harper, as part of the machinery and equipment sector, covers employees and production capabilities at two company facilities involved in the design, manufacture, repair, service and replacement parts for anilox rolls for the printing industry.

"Meeting demanding ISO standards has continued to be at the core of how we work as a company and how we serve our customers world-wide since our very first audit and accreditation in 1996," said Ben Carter, Harper's Corporate Quality Assurance Manager.

"We take pride in complying with our industry's benchmarks for excellence; that's what ISO 9001:2008 is all about."

DNV is one of a select group of registrars authorized to conduct extensive initial and renewal audits of applying companies who seek official ISO status and recognition.

As a Certified Product and Service Provider, Harper is entitled to display the new ISO 9001:2008 logo on its corporate marketing and merchandising literature.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The new EZ-BORE Bore Cleaner Brush simplifies maintenance of anilox and plate sleeves and makes sleeve mounting and demounting from a press print station easier.

Supplied as a kit, the EZ-BORE Bore Cleaner Brush features an aluminum anodized handle with special grip, a customer-specified brush in 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-inch diameters and foam pads in diameters ranging from 5 to 8 inches.

When supplied new, mandrels are designed for minimal expansion by air and compression of its foam layer to assure hassle-free sleeve installation along their full length. Clean, ink-free components are essential to an efficient process.

In addition, bore cleaning protects a sleeve from damage caused by the buildup of ink at each of the sleeve's ends. Dried ink can cause a sleeve to be "glued" to the mandrel. Even a slight amount of ink on a sleeve's inner liner can alter the sleeve's inner diameter. That change can tighten up the sleeve and increase sliding friction, complicating installation.

HarperScientific supplies brushes, sleeve covers, padded and non-padded roll covers, cleaners, ink proofers, sponges, chip fixing products and more to the worldwide anilox market.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

 Available free upon request, the new 24-page illustrated guide provides a comprehensive reference to common and not-so-common conditions that frequently arise during the anilox printing process.

 Suggested care of bearings and gears, solutions to plate cylinder over-impressions, corrective actions for misaligned anilox, plate and impression cylinders and cures for excessive impressions between plate and substrate are among the problems addressed in the  troubleshooting guide.

 Ink-related issues warrant extensive coverage in the new guide. It offers a bulleted causes/remedies approach to many topics: monitoring of ink pressure, elimination of ink flooding and excessive pressure, avoiding improper settings of the ink roller nip, solutions to fast-drying ink, ink with excessive viscosity, water-based ink with insufficient pH, solvent imbalances and more.

 “We think our new troubleshooting volume will prove to be a valuable resource for everyone regularly involved in anilox roll technology, whether they are new to the process or already an old anilox hand,” said Alexander James, Technical Graphics Manager at Harper GraphicSolutions™.

 For further information or to request a copy of the new troubleshooting guide, call toll-free 800.438.3111, Ext 292 (US/Can); local 704.588.3371, Ext 292; fax a request to 704.588.8172, or via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.com

Anilox roll scrub brushes are among the most frequently used tools in a press operator’s tool kit. But traditional brushes are made with wooden handles that are prone to swelling and early breaking if left in water for long periods and not thoroughly dried.

HarperScientific™ Duro-Brush anilox cleaning brushes are designed with tapered,   extended life plastic handles that resist the impact of water and pressroom chemicals. Their  bristles provide improved agitation of dried ink in cell bottoms.

New brushes with stainless steel bristles are recommended for cleaning only ceramic anilox rollers. Brushes with brass bristles work best on chrome anilox rollers.

“Our plastic handled brushes offer the anilox market a cleaning solution that is better than the status quo in performance, service life and cost effectiveness and in a small way helps move the anilox industry forward,” said Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

 Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper, spoke as part of a workshop organized by the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics at Clemson University and presented by Jay Sperry.

 After the presentation highlighting basic approaches and resulting benefits of flexo, gravure and screen printing, Donato conducted hands-on demonstrations using the Harper Phantom QD™ quick drawdown proofing system equipped for flexo and gravure simulations using conductive inks.  

Donato demonstrated both a standard flexo proofer and specially designed gravure proofer using the constant pressure QD table.  Easy to use, the recently introduced portable Phantom QD ink proofing system operates utility free.  The gravure cylinder was a XDI™ laser engraved ceramic gravure cylinder that was engraved with a simulated printed circuit layout. To simulate the flexo application, the rubber transfer roller had the same circuit engraved in the round.  The Phantom QD system has more uses than just proofing inks. 

 In addition to the demonstrations Harper displayed a XDI™ ceramic gravure cylinder with both continual and imaged engravings.  Both 200X & 400X scopes were available to the attendees to view the engravings.

 The three-day 2010 Flexo Conference offered attendees the opportunity to listen to insights and perspectives from both industry leaders and technology experts. It featured more than 80 market and technical presentations.      

 For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

 At the free seminars, Harper GraphicSolutions team members, assisted by co-suppliers and other industry experts, review new technologies and cover a variety of troubleshooting steps for pre-press and print room challenges. Other topics: optimizing flexo production, rotary die selection and operation, paper and film ink handling, plate mounting and substrate issues.

The day-long sessions are popular with print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, graphic designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers as well as general managers and purchasing staffers. This year’s tour includes a stop in Los Angeles. The tour after North Little Rock includes:

Thursday April 22

Atlanta Airport Marriott

4711 Best Road

Atlanta, GA, 30337

Wednesday June 9

Los Angeles, CA
Venue details available soon  

Thursday July 29
 

Holiday Inn & Suites

150 S. Gary Avenue

Carol Stream, IL 60188

Thursday August 5

The Blackwell

2110 Tuttle Park Place

Columbus, OH 43210

Wednesday October 6
 

Crowne Plaza Hotel

110 Davidson Avenue

Somerset, NJ 08873

Due to limited seating early registration is suggested.  To register, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at jkluttz@harperimage.com

 

 Combining detailed classroom instruction with hands-on printing press training, the two-day “Mastering Flexographic Principles” seminar was sponsored by the Printing Pilot Plant at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. The school has several more sessions planned for 2010.

 John Meyer, Director of the university’s Printing Pilot Plant, said an important part of Hartman’s presentation focused on best practices for care and maintenance of anilox rolls and ways to extend their service life. Half of those in attendance consisted of printing industry managers.

 “Often people in the industry don’t fully understand the economics of the printing process,” Meyer said. “Certainly, Harper products are among the finest anilox rolls produced anywhere. Yet 70 percent of the rolls are damaged before they ever wear out. Pete is most effective at outlining the best steps for preventing damage and maximizing roll life.”

In addition to anilox roll technology, subjects at the seminar included overviews of various flexo printing options, improving the management of color for better economy, quality and consistency and suggestions for enhancing printer relationships with suppliers.

 For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

From his corporate headquarters in Green Bay, WI, Fisher oversees one of the largest printing and label converting enterprises in North America. The firm staffs 17 production facilities across the U.S. and in Mexico. Markets include food, beverage, personal care, OTC health, medical, promotional, industrial signage and graphics.

In his dynamic presentation of over two hours, Fisher detailed recent market trends in printing and label converting, forecast likely changes in those industries and explained how he and his technical team selected Harper as his company’s anilox roll supplier  

 Harper, according to Fisher, stands out because of the high quality of its anilox products and the value they represent, its high level of customer service and Harper’s ongoing commitment to the marketplace.

 “Scott is a phenomenal speaker and people at the sales meeting were blown away by his presentation, really energized,” said Mike Huey, Harper Technical Graphics Manager, Western Division. Huey later presented Fisher with a plaque to recognize his trip and speech here.

“WS Packaging is a first-rate company and Scott Fisher’s words and thoughtful analysis serve as a motivating factor for all of us at Harper,” said Pete Hartman, Harper Vice President of Sales. “We value Scott and his entire team for their continuing professionalism and industry knowledge.”

 For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The Marriott Atlanta Airport, 4711 Best Road, in College Park, GA, will host the free day-long event. The seminars are organized by Harper GraphicSolutions™, the technical service division of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America. Included are presentations by flexo experts from Harper and other industry leaders.

Paul Teachout, Southeast Technical Graphics Advisor at Harper GraphicSolutions™, will open the seminar by outlining his keys to success related to pressroom standardization.

Following him, Interactive Inks’ Tom Tinerella will provide an overview of the principles and maintenance of water-based flexo inks. Ken Friedman of Provident Group will discuss how to create leak-free clean printing stations. Mike Wyatt and Jeff Paduano of ARCS will conclude the morning session by outlining care and maintenance practices for anilox rolls.

After a complimentary lunch, Wayde Clark of Dupont Cyrell Packaging Graphics will preview the next generation of digital plates. Then, Water Ink Technologies’ Kurt Hudson delves into the issues of ink technology and adhesion.

 The seminars have earned a following among print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, graphic designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers as well as general managers and purchasing staffers.

 Space at the Atlanta seminar is limited. To register, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

 

The Institute for Graphics & Imaging (IGI) on the campus of Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee, Wis., will host the group's 2010 kickoff meeting. Registration and networking begin at 4:30 p.m. The session wraps up at 8 p.m. Theme for the event is improving pressroom productivity through employee motivation and education.

Malm, Harper's Midwest and West Coast Technical Sales Specialist, will discuss the critical role training, process standardization and anilox inventory management play in making a print shop successful and profitable.

He will also offer an overview of the Technical Education Services Team (TEST) program - a printer education initiative developed by FTA and sponsored by Harper Corporation. Harper has long been recognized for its advocacy of enhanced printer education.

During his presentation, Erwin will review proven approaches for motivating employees to give peak on the job performance. His company has been honored with many regional and national awards in recent years. A tour of IGI facilities is also scheduled.

David Lanska, FTA Great Lakes Group Chairman, said the session promises to be a "must-attend" event for printers looking to reduce costs and improve productivity.

Admission to the meeting will be $10.00 for FTA members, students and seniors; $15.00 for others.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The new EL SleeveWrak™ system secures anilox roller sleeves in a vertical position to help reduce the possibility of sleeve distortion and damage during off-press storage.

An extension of the popular SleeveWrak™ family of anilox sleeve storage options, new EL (Easy Loading) models feature an improved top guide and locking mechanism.

The new upper guide retracts, enabling the bottom of the sleeve to be placed on the lower guide first. That way, the rack base carries the sleeve weight as the sleeve is maneuvered into the storage position. Then, the upper guide is lowered and the sleeve secured.

This enhanced design ensures easier sleeve handling and convenient storage even for sleeves weighing 35 pounds and measuring up to 70 inches long.

A full-length rubber mat on the base plate of the EL SleeveWrak™ protects sleeves from chipping during storage. The standard EL SleeveWrak™ holds up to 12 sleeves; the optional EL SleeveWrak™ Plus offers an 18-sleeve capacity, depending on sleeve diameter.

Both versions are built with heavy duty casters for extended service and can be configured to handle many sizes of sleeves. In addition to sleeve racks, HarperScientific™ supplies sleeve covers, padded and non-padded roll covers, cleaners, brushes, ink proofers, sponges, chip fixing products and more to the worldwide anilox market.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Held at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the two-day program focused on providing the audience of interested corrugators with improved understanding of basic and advanced flexographic printing practices and insights on inks.

Bermudez said the comments, concerns and questions he heard expressed by corrugators at his presentation are signs that interest within the Latin American market in flexo technology and applications remains strong and growing.

"From my perspective, corrugators in Ecuador and the whole region are more aware of the many advantages of flexo over other processes and are eager to apply our anilox know-how to enhance printing quality," Bermudez said.

Bermudez, in his day-long presentation, outlined the many practical issues associated with flexo printing processes. He discussed how various flexographic options work in combination, the fundamentals of their use and the likely impact corrugators should expect on their finished products.

Also this year, Bermudez spoke about the impact of anilox rolls on flexo printing in Bogota, Colombia, during Andina Pack -- one of the largest flexible packaging trade shows in the northern portion of South America.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Alex James, Harper GraphicSolutions™ Technical Graphics Manager and Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation, provided a Power Point presentation and answered many questions during the two-day event.

During the first day, James highlighted the basics of anilox engraving, touching on such issues as ink volume, proper cell selection, anilox roll standardization and enhanced techniques for more consistent color.

In his address, Donato stressed the importance of keeping rollers properly cleaned and stored. An essential part, he said, is using the right cleaner for the material of the base and ink systems. He suggested printers might consider designating an anilox person who would be responsible for monitoring roller conditions and using a scope to spot the difference between clean and ink -plugged cells.

Also, the Harper representatives performed a variety of demonstrations and answered questions on specific anilox and proofing issues.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

In April, Harper launched the free one-day seminars in Rochester, N.Y. and continued the day-long stops in St. Louis, Denver and Louisville. The tour completed its schedule in October in Appleton, Wis., where it attracted the highest attendance of the year, said Alexander James, Technical Graphics Manager, Eastern Division, for Harper GraphicSolutions™.

Tour sessions involved briefings and demonstrations covering the full range of flexo technology and applications. Experts from HarperGraphic Solutions and other flexo suppliers offered dozens of trouble-shooting options for solving common and not-so-common production problems.

"We continue to receive extremely positive feedback on our flexo seminars," said Mike Huey, Technical Graphics Manager at Harper GraphicSolutions™. "For us, it's an effective way to deliver info on the latest flexo technology to individual companies and customers and to get unvarnished insights into the problems they encounter every day."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Margie Kluttz, President of Harper Corporation of America, said the company's support of four employees attending a course on the concepts of flexo printing signals how much Harper values workers and encourages initiative. "At the core of our ability to break new ground in anilox roll manufacturing and service is a commitment to expanding the knowledge base of our employees at every level," Kluttz said. "Understanding our industry - where we are and where we're going - is an essential part of success both as individual employees and as a company."

Offered through Fox Valley Technical College, the course on flexographic concepts presents an overview that addresses all aspects of the flexo printing process - from basic concept to a printed product. The small size of the class maximizes hands-on training opportunities for students.

In addition, class members are briefed about the different types of flexo processes and the wide variety of finished products. Other class topics include how to output film and make plates, substrates and safety issues, procedures for setting up, registering and printing two- and four-color jobs and the proper steps for cleanup and storage of inks, paper and equipment.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The free day-long seminar, featuring presentations by Harper Corporation technical experts Bill Malm and Tony Donato, attracted more than 100 technical and professional people. All Printing Resources, BST, FlexoWASH, Flxon and Eastman Kodak also participated in the sessions.

Harper designed this year's flexographic tour to appeal to print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, graphic designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers as well as GMs and purchasing staff.

During the Appleton stop, speakers focused on available options for enhancing print quality, troubleshooting common flexo problems and improving the efficiencies within pressrooms.

Seminar attendees were encouraged to take an active part in the sessions and submit their flexo related questions to the assembled experts. Also, they were invited to visit the college's extensive flexo lab and review the school's printing curriculum.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

MAI, with headquarters in St. Louis, was founded 63 years ago and has grown to become a top manufacturer of narrow web printing equipment. The company makes leading brands Comco, Mark Andy, Rotoflex and UVT printing and converting machinery. The company has developed one of the narrow web industry's most comprehensive networks for customer service and support.

"At Mark Andy, Inc. we have long appreciated the proud background and contributions the Harper name has brought to printing and we look forward to a close working relationship in the years ahead," said Andy Baer, Vice President, Customer Service for MAI.

Jim Harper, Vice President of HarperScientific, said Mark Andy has rightly earned a reputation for putting the interests of customers front and center and setting a worthy tone for industry colleagues. "Through more than six decades they have been a pace-setter for what printing can and should represent in the marketplace," Harper said.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Juan Bermudez, Harper's Sales & Service Manager for Latin America, also covered many aspects of flexo printing with his presentation "Returning to the Basics of Flexo Printing." Harper was among more than 80 international enterprises on hand to network and talk solutions with businesses related to the corrugated industry.

According to Bermudez, corrugators who visited the Harper exhibit showed special concern, seeking more information about Harper's XLT™ anilox roll technology and its line of cleaners, including Ceram Clean II™ and the Multi-Purpose MasterMix™. The extremely positive reaction by visitors generated a number of new sales, he said.

"Printing quality is one of the main issues confronting the corrugated industry," Bermudez said. "Harper is a very important resource to all printers whose objective is to take their printing quality to a higher level. By taking advantage of our anilox technology and technical knowledge, flexo printers can more easily reach their printing objective."

The three-day show featured a number of conferences and lectures as well as plenty of time for interchange between interested attendees and manufacturers of machines, systems and supplies geared to corrugated processes.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The printing and coating supplies division of global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America made the first public display of its Phantom QD™ Quick Drawdown Proofing System at last month's Labelexpo Europe 2009 show in Brussels.

Though the visitor count fell short of the crowds two years ago, exhibitors reported a generally positive experience and noticed a large turnout of label industry professionals who seemed confident a global economic recovery is underway. "The Phantom QD was well received and generated much interest from the customers and vendors who visited our booth," said Alexander James, Technical Graphic Manager of Harper GraphicSolutions.

The new Phantom QD™ is equipped with its own pressure loading system. Features include a magnetic-loaded doctor blade, quick-change anilox and rubber rollers and roller interchangeability with Echocel™ Junior and Phantom™ hand proofers. The new system requires no compressed air or electricity for operation. It's easy to use whenever a draw down ink proof is needed.

Company representatives demonstrated the new proofing system at the Harper Graphics GmbH booth at the expo.

"We developed the Phantom QD™ drawdown proofing system as an advancement that qualifies as both an exciting innovation and a practical solution and judging by the initial response at Labelexpo Europe, our projections were right on target," said Jim Harper, Vice President of HarperScientific™.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Anilox Roll Cleaning Systems (ARCS), with offices in Hatfield, Pa. and Charlotte, is in its third decade as a provider of roller cleaning products and services. The company was a pioneer in the development of baking soda based cleaners as a safe and environmentally friendly approach toward cleaning all types of printing rolls.

Under the new alliance with HarperScientific, ARCS will distribute and coordinate tech support for all Harper anilox roll cleaners for the printing industry. Harper's popular CeramClean II is designed for use with water-based, UV and solvent inks on both ceramic and chrome cylinders. It's available in three viscosities - semi-solid, gel and pourable liquid.

"With their record of more than 10,000 rolls cleaned to date, ARCS has shown itself to be fully committed to the needs of the printing industry," said R. James Harper, HarperScientific Vice President. "They recognize how important customer service is - that's something we have long believed in, too. It's a good fit for both companies."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Part of the OMET Innovator series, the upcoming seminar will feature presentations and on-press demonstrations focusing on innovative technologies that help printers/converters enhance profitability. The goal is to advise attendees how to compete effectively in today's short-run, high quality marketplace.

Alexander James, Harper GraphicSolutions™ Technical Graphics Manager and Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation, will discuss the latest flexographic printing technologies and ancillary products available from their Harper divisions. Demonstrations will include press side anilox cleaning and inspection, anilox care and handling and ink proofer operations.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Harper Corporation's own technical service experts Bill Malm and Tony Donato will be joined by industry experts from All Printing Resources, BST, FlexoWASH, Flxon and Eastman Kodak and will be presenting to attendees proven ways to enhance print quality, improve make-ready and pressroom efficiencies.

This day-long seminar will focus on an over-all program designed to present methods, equipment and processes from understanding G7, pre-press, print troubleshooting, preventing press room problems through better understanding of anilox, doctor blades, and ink proofing. Do not just come to the seminar, bring your questions to the presenters. They will be there to help and assist the attendees with their flexo related questions.

The session will take place in the DJ Bordini Business & Industry Center on Systems Drive at the technical college. Attendees will get the opportunity to tour the college's extensive flexo labs and be briefed on all the programs available to the printing industry.

The Harper Flexographic Solutions Tour sessions are designed for print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, graphic designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers as well as purchasing managers and general managers. Businesses may send an unlimited number of staff members at no cost, but seating is limited, so immediate registration is recommended.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Mike Huey (Harper GraphicSolutions) and Neil Surber (Harper Corporation of America) will staff a tabletop exhibit and brief visitors on how Harper's innovative flexographic tools and technology can improve their press efficiency, process consistency and bottom lines.

"Color in the Crosshairs: Taking Aim at Repeatable & Predictable Color" is the theme of the fall FFTA get-together. The conference is a must-see for many flexo professionals, among them packaging buyers, prepress managers, press supervisors, production and quality control mangers, graphic designers, art directors and photographers.

The conference agenda features a CPC/print buyer panel discussion at representatives of leading consumer product companies will discuss their expectations of the color management workflow and what role vendors can play.

A number of "how to" demonstrations are planned - including a step-by-step demonstration on major process color calibration techniques as outlined in the new FIRST 4.0. Also, attendees are invited to a free color theory measurement tutorial.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

At his Oct. 21 presentation, James will provide an in-depth view of Harper's new Xtreme Digital Imaging (XDI) technology and the advantages of using laser engraved ceramic coated surfaces for direct gravure and offset coating processes.

Among the foremost benefits of laser engraved ceramic gravure cylinders, according to James, is length of performance. Ceramic cylinders from Harper, he said, routinely offer a service life that is 10 times that of a conventional chrome roller. The difference is especially apparent, he said, when abrasive inks and coatings are involved.

In addition, the laser engraved ceramic cylinders deliver enhanced consistency and superior flexibility for handling changes in patterns and graphics. With metallic, fluorescents and whites, the cylinders enhance press uptime and consistency.

XDI engravings can be built from digital halftone files, digital patterns or logos. "At the core of our ability to create ceramic gravure cylinders is our expertise in ceramic applications, laser engraving and post-engraving finishing," James said.

Fall conference visitors will benefit from an outstanding program put together by AIMCAL technical committees. Discussions will focus on productivity, impact technology and market research, with concurrent sessions on coating/laminating and vacuum web coating.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

On Wednesday, August 19, flexo professionals from around the country joined the technical service experts of Harper GraphicSolutions and co-suppliers from MacDermid Print Solutions, BST Promark, Flxon, Water Ink Technologies and FlexoWash, for one of the free, day-long trouble-shooting seminars that industry pros look forward to each year.

The presentations included "Balanced Inks for a Better Balance Sheet," "Plate Technologies for Increased Productivity," "Anilox Standardization," "The Doctor Blade, Setting Yourself Up for Success," Anilox Cleaning in Today's Environment" and "Web Inspection Today."

Flexo printing pros left with words of thanks for the presenters, and feedback forms congratulating them on a job "Well done!"

PHOTO ATTACHMENT: Flexo professionals learned the latest in flexo troubleshooting at the Denver stop on Harper GraphicSolutions' 2009 Flexographic Solutions Tour.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"To maintain our print quality, we have been using HarperScientific's AltraWash Blue in our automatic anilox roll cleaning machine to clean our anilox rollers and sleeves for the past six months with complete satisfaction," says Chris Thomas, flexo pressroom supervisor at Cenveo's Cadmus facility in Charlotte, NC.

Cenveo found that AltraWash Blue works very efficiently to clean both the UV and water-based inks the company uses.

"Clean anilox rollers help us reduce our make-ready times and helps maintain our print quality," added Thomas.

By diluting concentrated AltraWash Blue according to specifications, Thomas also found that he used less chemical than was necessary with the cleaner used previously. The automatic anilox roll cleaning machine stays clean without leaving residue in the processing tank, and the unit's filter extracts ink solids, so no sludge is retained in the chemical holding tank.

The result is a cleaner, more efficient operation. And that's what keeps Cenveo at the top of the industry.

AltraWash Blue is a concentrated cleaner formulated specifically for cleaning UV and solvent-based inks in pressure washing systems, soak tanks and ultrasonic tanks. It also can be used simply as an on-press anilox cleaner, and is useful for cleaning printing plates.

With a pH of 11.8, the cleaner's advanced surfactant technology is exceedingly environmentally friendly, using no petroleum distillates or environmentally hazardous chemicals. It is a biodegradable, low-V.O.C. product, and has low vapor pressure.

Available exclusively through HarperScientific (www.HarperScientific.com ), this concentrated formula, which can be diluted with water, is sold in 1 gallon, 5 gallon, 30 gallon and 55 gallon containers.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"Brasal is an FTA member whose excellent customer service reflects our own core values," said Jim Harper, Vice President of HarperScientific. "By expanding our distribution in this way, we hope to make our products available to more printers who can benefit from cost savings associated with the excellent pressroom preparation our products offer."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

On Tuesday, September 22, six co-suppliers will join the Harper GraphicSolutions team for the FREE, day-long trouble-shooting seminar. Representatives from Trinity Graphics, Water Ink Technologies, FlexoWash, Multi Plastics, Flxon and ACTEGA Radcure, will present with Harper's experts on the following topics*:

• Process Standardization
• The Changing Face of Prepress - Anilox Roll Cleaning in Today's Environment
• Balanced Inks for a Better Balanced Sheet
• Diversify with Films
• UV Coatings, Adhesives & Specialty Inks for Today's Flexo Printer
• Advancements in Anilox Technology

The seminar will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport (2735 Crittenden Drive).

Sessions are designed for print managers; print supervisors; operators; pre-press managers; graphic designers; ink, plate and pre-press suppliers; and purchasing and/or general managers. Businesses in the region are cordially invited to send an unlimited number of staff members at no charge. Early registration is recommended due to limited seating. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Harper Corporation and the co-suppliers listed above.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Anderson & Vreeland has contracted with Harper Corporation to distribute its anilox rolls in the states of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

"This is terrific for both of our companies," said Pete Hartman, vice president of sales at Harper Corporation. "We have known and respected the folks at Anderson & Vreeland for a very long time, and now we're very pleased to have a formal relationship with them. We know that Harper Corporation will be extremely well represented."

Harper GraphicSolutions staff has prepared Anderson & Vreeland associates with extensive anilox training.

Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of flexographic equipment and materials.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"It's an extremely exciting and practical new product," said Jim Harper, Vice President of HarperScientific. "The Phantom QD is more than just another hand proofer, it comes with its own pressure loading system. The Phantom QD is simple to use, utility-free and no compressed air or electricity is needed, so it's not locked in the ink-room. It can be used anywhere you need to draw down an ink proof."

In addition to its magnetic-loaded doctor blade and quick-change anilox and rubber rollers, the Phantom QD was designed to allow Anilox and rubber rollers to be interchangeable with both the Echocel Junior and Phantom hand proofers. It draws down reliably consistent proofs time after time because of its unique loading system with constant pressure over the entire stroke length.

The Phantom QD Complete Proofing System is available at www.harperscientific.com as a proofer and table kit only, or in three accessory package choices:

HarperScientific is also the manufacturer of CeramClean II and CeramClean Solv-It anilox cleaner, a wide variety of flexographic and gravure hand-proofing systems, and other products to make the pressroom safer and more efficient.

A WalkingSeminar is a complimentary, educational session at one of Harper Corporation's state-of-the-art anilox and coating roll laser-engraving facilities. Participants tour the plant, and talk with production operators about their particular functions and contributions to their finished product - the anilox roll. The tour is followed by a customized technical session on anilox and flexo technology where visitors can obtain solutions to specific problems. Attendees have the opportunity to see the latest laser-engraving technology, and talk with some of the industry's most knowledgeable flexo professionals. The mission of Harper's WalkingSeminars is to help attendees develop a clearer understanding of the small details that can make a big difference in enhancing the flexo process. This, in turn, can provide opportunities to improve customers' bottom lines and expand their market share. There is no cost to participate.

"For nearly 20 years, the WalkingSeminar has been an intrinsic element of Harper Corporation's endeavors to further flexo education globally," said Margie Kluttz, President of Harper Corporation. "It provides the opportunity to more easily absorb many of the technical aspects of flexography that aren't easily learned in a classroom, lab or on the job. We're honored that thousands of people have found the program helpful and entrusted us with their time."

Interested parties can schedule a Harper WalkingSeminar at any Harper Advanced Surface Technology Center manufacturing location. All sessions are completely confidential. " Charlotte, North Carolina, USA " DePere, Wisconsin, USA " Herford, Germany " Bangkok, Thailand.

One company or student group is scheduled at a time, and WalkingSeminar instructors each work with a maximum of six persons. Converters are welcome to bring other suppliers, such as representatives from manufacturers of inks, substrates, plates, etc. There may be as many as five groups from the same organization involved simultaneously, for a maximum of 30 total participants.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

According to Neil Surber, National Sales Manager for Harper Corporation, "One hundred-twenty golfers attended and everyone had a great time. The course was in excellent condition and the service was even better. We were lucky again this year as the weather was perfect. However, the best part of the event is getting together with converters and suppliers to enjoy a day of friendship and camaraderie."

In addition to providing a great time for all, the event included a challenge hole to benefit the Phoenix Challenge. The challenge was a par three with a 20-foot circle around the hole.

Surber added, "The group was honored to donate $952. I guess The Phoenix Challenge should feel lucky we are not all excellent golfers!"

All Printing Resources and The Flint Group graciously provided lunch. Many course prizes and door prizes were awarded, but the grand prize went to Pat Marquart, Beecher Skinner, Dana Standefer and Tim Allen. The foursome shot 11 under par and was awarded first place.

Sponsors included: All Printing Resources: Steve Van Dyke and Kevin Snyder; Ashland Chemical: Veronica Reichert and Jim Ditomas; Electro Optic US: David Brewer; Environmental Inks and Coatings: Bill Phillips; Flexo Wash LLC: Michael Potter; Flint Group: Tom Spiegel; Flxon: Kris Harris; Harper Corporation of America: Neil Surber, Ken Jones, Dana Standefer and Mike Huey; Interactive Inks and Coatings: Mike McIntyre; Interactive Inks and Coatings: Bernie Pagels Jr.; Lohmann Tech: Stan Riches; Mark Andy: Steve Schulte; Nazdar: Mike Harjung; PCMC: Andy Gillis; Premier Ink Systems: Donz Dye and Marcus Tyree; Press Color: Dennis Curtin; Rossini NA: Bob Grace; Southern Graphics: Bill Hartel and Rick Wendt; SunChemical: Mike Belifuss, Randy Reichardt and Gordon Cole; The Provident Group: Tim Allen; Water Ink Tech: Steve Strassman.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

On July 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Intercontinental Hotel in San Salvador, El Salvador, Bermudez will present "Y de Anilox Que?" or "What is it with the Anilox?" to an audience of flexo professionals from all Central American countries and Mexico. The presentation will emphasize the importance of correlating volume and ink density to process printing standardization.

In addition to "Y de Anilox Que?" Bermudez will put together a tabletop presentation to represent Harper Corporation at the conference.

Bermudez, a 12-year Harper veteran, serves Latin America with Harper Corporation's anilox products and printing supplies.

"With such a large cross-section of Latin America represented at Flexo CentroAmerica 09, I'm really looking forward to this presentation. Illuminating the importance of the anilox roll's function in print quality is my critical objective," said Bermudez.

Recently, Bermudez presented at the two-day Seminario Peru Conversion Siglo XXI at the Country Club Lima Hotel in Lima, Peru. As the seminar's final speaker, Bermudez covered "The Impact of Anilox Rolls on the Printed Image."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Attendees traveled from North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia to participate in the day-long free instructional meeting, which was the result of a popular series initiated last year by Harper GraphicSolutions pros to address the differences between the relatively new technology of anilox sleeves and that of conventional journaled anilox rollers.

Experts from Harper's technical service division presented a series of detailed presentations about proper sleeve handling, storage and cleaning. They also examined the re-engravability differences between rolls and sleeves, and the impact of cumulative total indicator readings (TIR) between the press mandrel and anilox sleeve. All of the information was highlighted with photos of damaged and destroyed sleeves that Harper techs have come across in the field, with advice on how to avoid such damage.

After a complimentary lunch, participants received a tour of Harper Corporation's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, to see how anilox sleeves are handled and laser-engraved, before they toured the Harper GraphicSolutions laboratory, where Echocheks™ are analyzed and all roll audits are prepared.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

More than 65 flexo professionals joined the technical service experts of Harper GraphicSolutions and co-suppliers from Water Ink Technology, FlexoWash, KODAK, Actega Inc., the Flexographic Technological Association and AVT for one of the free, day-long trouble-shooting seminars that industry pros looks forward to each year.

As always, the feedback forms collected after the seminar reflected an appreciative crowd. Examples of the comments include: "Very good seminar - enjoyed it and learned a lot." Several reflected sentiments like: "Well organized program. Nice diversity of subject matter."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

In keeping with its dedication to flexo education, Harper Corporation is a strong supporter of the new institute, donating generously to its stock of anilox rolls, proofing tools, maintenance and storage equipment, as well as pressroom cleaning supplies.

"We're proud to be associated with this world-class institute," said Margie Harper Kluttz, president of Harper Corporation. "With this program's multi-pronged approach, Clemson is taking a truly leading role in shaping the future of the printing and packaging industries. It's our pleasure to help provide resources for these students." The Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics features the only university program in the country that combines packaging science, graphic communication, materials studies, environmental science, manufacturing, marketing and consumer psychology for application to packaging methods.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"With his formal education in flexography and experience with both wide and narrow web applications, we are thrilled to welcome Andre to the Harper family," said Alexander James, Technical Graphics Manager, Eastern Division of Harper GraphicSolutions.

In his new position, Jochheim will visit Harper Graphics customers onsite to offer technical solutions for a variety of printing challenges. His training time in the U.S. will take place both in the field with Harper GraphicSolutions technicians as well as at Harper Corporation's headquarters in Charlotte, NC.

Harper GraphicSolutions, the technical service division of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, provides solutions that help Harper customers overcome print limitations, increase process efficiencies and achieve the highest levels of quality and profitability. At the forefront of the latest flexo technologies and techniques, the group is designed to work as an extension of the customer's team.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

In their typical entertaining yet informative style, the technical service professionals of Harper Corporation will review basic sleeve construction, and how it differs from that of conventional journaled anilox rollers. They will go on to cover the specifics of proper sleeve handling, storage and cleaning, and review photos of damaged and destroyed sleeves, with a focus on how to avoid such damage. Because sleeves are easily mounted and changed, the impact of cumulative total indicator readings (TIR) between the press mandrel and anilox sleeve will be explained and demonstrated. The re-engravability differences between rolls and sleeves also will be examined in detail.

According to Harper Technical Account Manager Alan Rogers, "There's a need for training on anilox sleeves because the care and maintenance of sleeved rolls is much different from journaled anilox rollers. The majority of new wide-web presses and a growing number of narrow and mid-web presses installed today are sleeved presses, so if customers are going to get the best return on their investments, it's critical that they are fully informed about sleeve construction and care."

After a complimentary lunch, the audience will receive a tour of Harper Corporation's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, where participants can see how anilox sleeves are handled and laser-engraved, before touring the Harper GraphicSolutions laboratory, where Echocheks are analyzed and all roll audits are prepared. The lab has interferometer measurement capability as well has microscopic photography and doctor blade angle measuring equipment. The day will wrap up with an expanded question-and-answer session to address customers' specific problems.

So who should attend? Harper recommends this free session for printers and converters who are using or are planning to use anilox sleeves. More specifically, for their Print Managers; Print Supervisors; Pre-Press Managers; Graphic Designers; Press Operators; Purchasing and/or General Managers; and ink, plate and other flexo suppliers; OEMs; and press suppliers. Seating is limited, so potential participants are encouraged to register quickly.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

However, it is not the flexo industry alone that can benefit from Harper's superior technology, according to Alexander James, Technical Graphics Manager at Harper GraphicSolutions, and Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation. For instance, gravure printers can use specially prepared and polished anilox rollers as gravure cylinders to apply tints, primers, over varnishes, coatings and in the laminating process. Harper now offers an XDI line of graphically prepared image cylinders laser engraved in ceramic.

This month, Mr. James and Mr. Donato represented Harper at PLGA Global, the Packaging and Label Gravure Association's Global Operational Conference in Miami, Fla.

"We displayed examples of our laser engravings that are absolutely ideal for direct gravure printing," said Donato. "Our display sleeve has three different families of laser engraving in our ceramic: The XLT 60 Degree engravings, which are used in gravure applications for solid, continuous color or background printing; An XLT 30 Degree channel roll that is terrific for whites and high viscosity inks; The XDI Extreme Digital Image engraving, which is excellent for patterns, product gravure "images" and/or one- and two-color gravure printing; And the LaserKote engravings for gravure overcoats in varnish and UV."

"The XDI engravings can be created from digital halftone files, digital patterns or logos," added James. "Harper's expertise in ceramic application, laser engraving and post-engraving finishing is what allows us to produce 'ceramic' gravure cylinders." He continued, "Our ceramic will outlast a conventional chrome roller by as much as 10 times! In this economy, that ROI is really appreciated."

The Harper tabletop exhibit also included information about HarperScientific cleaners and pressroom supplies appropriate for gravure.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

On Wednesday, April 15, six co-suppliers will join the Harper GraphicSolutions team for the FREE, day-long trouble-shooting seminar. Representatives from Water Ink Technology, FlexoWash, KODAK, ACTEGA Radcure, Inc., the Flexographic Technological Association and AVT, are slated present with Harper's experts on the following topics*:

• Anilox Inventory - Balanced and Fair
• Anilox Roll Cleaning in Today's Environment
• Digital Plate Technology
• UV Coatings, Adhesives & Specialty Inks
• G7 for Flexography: Opportunities and Challenges
• Anilox Standardization and Color Consistency
• Inspection Technology
• Question and Answer Session

The seminar will take place on the second floor of the CIMS Building at 66 Lomb Memorial Drive on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus.

Sessions are designed for print managers; print supervisors; operators; pre-press managers; graphic designers; ink, plate and pre-press suppliers; and purchasing and/or general managers. Businesses in the region are cordially invited to send an unlimited number of staff members at no charge. Early registration is recommended due to limited seating. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Harper Corporation and the co-suppliers listed above.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"We're gratified that Mark Andy chose to work with Harper Corporation for this partnership," said Margaret Harper Kluttz, president of Harper Corporation of America. "Mark Andy Inc. is an industry leader renowned for its premium quality. It's quite a tribute that this leading manufacturer chooses to offer its customers Harper products."

"Partnering with the world's leading innovator in anilox roll production and restoration allows us to provide our customers with the best quality available - which is always our objective," affirmed Adam Baer, vice president of customer support, Mark Andy Inc.

All Platinum® XLT™ anilox rolls are fully backed by Harper's Print Performance Guarantee, which assures customers of a superb product that will improve print quality and overall profitability. This guarantee combined with the MAX commitment to customer service results in the highest quality product and service from two of the finest names in the flexo industry.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

First introduced in 1999, Harper Corporation's 30o Hexagon Channeling technology lays down a uniform and smooth flexo coating. Harper laser engravers created a channel that moves heavy inks and coatings in a smooth line. This creates a solid ink film with minimal pinholes. By emphasizing uniform coverage over increased ink volume, these rolls maximize opacity, reduce drying time and cut production costs.

"We are offering free information on this technology right now because printers are feeling the squeeze in this economy, and need every advantage to keep their costs down," said Alexander James, Technical Graphics Manager at Harper GraphicSolutions.

"It's a great product for influencing the bottom line," agrees Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation. "Whether for a white base coat, an adhesive, a lamination or varnish, this roll saves money. And, not only does it use less ink to achieve opacity and reduce production costs, it improves print quality."

The outstanding print results are partially due to two important factors: First, the unique engineering of the cells allows excess thick ink to be doctored off without trapping air. With less ink build-up on the roll, "spitting" of UV inks off the doctor blade and "misting" of UV, water-based and solvent-based inks on high-speed presses are minimized. Second, the serpentine sidewalls support the doctor blade, leaving no trace of vertical lines in the printed surface.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Once again, the Harper GraphicSolutions team has invited co-suppliers and other industry experts to join it for a series of FREE one-day seminars that focus on trouble-shooting pre-press and print room problem areas, and cover the latest technologies and techniques to improve print quality and press efficiency. The dates, cities and venues for this year's tour follow:

Rochester, NY - Wed. April 15, 2009Rochester Institute of Technology66 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623

Louisville, KY - Tues. Sept. 22, 2009Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport2735 Crittenden Drive Louisville, KY 40209

St. Louis, MO - Thurs. June 11, 2009Drury Plaza Chesterfield355 Chesterfield Center East St Louis, MO 63017

Appleton, WI - Wed. Oct. 14, 2009Fox Valley Technical College5 Systems Drive, DJ Bordini CenterAppleton, WI 54913

Denver, CO - Wed. August 19, 2009Embassy Suites Denver Tech Center10250 East Costilla AvenueCentennial, CO 80012

There is no charge for these one-day seminars, and businesses may send an unlimited number of staff members. Early registration is recommended due to limited seating.

Sessions are designed for print managers; print supervisors; operators; pre-press managers; graphic designers; ink, plate and pre-press suppliers; and purchasing and/or general managers. Specific seminars will vary by locations, but sample topics include:

• Troubleshooting die-cutting issues
• Press inputs for success
• Pre-press practices to control color management
• Producing predictable and reproducible flexo
• Rotary die selection and operations
• Ink handling for paper and film
• Plate mounting
• The affect of substrate differences on the printing process

And of course, plenty of time is allotted for answering audience questions.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

With their typical relaxed and witty repartee, the technical service professionals of Harper Corporation of America presented a full day of insight and experience, including extensive information about: " Anilox Sleeve Construction " Sleeves vs. Rolls - Operational Differences " Anilox Sleeve Care & Storage " Ordering Specifications and Inspection & Repair Services

Paul Teachout, Harper GraphicSolutions Southeast Technical Graphics Advisor; Alan Rogers, Harper Southeast Technical Account Manager; and Tony Donato, Harper Product and Process Development Engineer, all shared anecdotes about their field experiences with anilox sleeve damage and maintenance. With photos included in their presentations, the experts discussed the importance of proper handling, storage and cleaning, including specs for soda blasting and the proper settings for the FlexoWash, the importance of neutralizing after chemical cleaning, and the damage that can befall sleeves that are not cleaned and dried thoroughly. According to Donato, "Slide the sleeve off of the mandrel regularly to clean underneath on those long-mounted colors like white -- when ink gets between the sleeve and the mandrel, the ink becomes like glue!"

The symposium finished with a tour of Harper Corporation's nearby manufacturing facility, where participants observed anilox sleeves being inspected and engraved; saw an echotopography demonstration of volume measurement; and embarked on a Harper GraphicSolutions lab tour to see a HarperScientific Sleeve Wrak in action, observe audits and doctor blade analysis, and participate in a Q and A session.

At day's end, participants completed evaluations: The results indicate that the seminar was a great success, and the group appreciated the opportunity to attend. The vast majority rated the presenters, the programs and the usefulness of the information as "excellent," and without exception, the participants unanimously indicated that they would recommend this seminar to a colleague.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"With this new, handheld, lighted microscope, our customers can keep a close eye on the condition of their anilox inventories, and find problems like wear, damage and plugging before they threaten print quality and shorten the lives of anilox rolls and sleeves," said Jim Harper, vice president of HarperScientific.

Just 1.10 lbs and 7.5 inches tall, this tool, which is small enough for handheld field use, offers 400x optical magnification, a .0465mm field of view and a white LED lamp with a life of more than 100,000 hours. It features a windowed positioning adapter that allows perfect positioning over the anilox, and the focus is easily adjusted by rotating the eyepiece.

HarperScientific is the manufacturer of CeramClean II and CeramClean SOLV-IT anilox cleaners, a wide variety of flexographic and gravure hand-proofing systems, and SleeveWrak anilox roll racks.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation of America, presented at the Flexo 101 session, addressing the relationship of doctor blade contact angle to vibration, as well as the importance of loading pressure and blade material. Always creative, Donato employed a cupcake tin to demonstrate the interaction between anilox roll, doctor blade and cylinder. He explained that the relationship between a doctor blade ink metering system and an anilox roll is geometrical as well as mechanical, emphasizing that careful control of the variables will produce optimal print results.

Afterward, attendees commented that it was a "very good presentation" with "easy-to-understand illustrations." Donato's ratings were nearly exclusively "outstanding" or "very good."

Bill Poulson, Northeast Technical Graphics Advisor at Harper GraphicSolutions teamed up with Kurt Hudson of Water Ink Technologies to present a session about correlating an ink proofer to the press. Poulson launched into the subject by advising that printers reduce their anilox inventories to two or three volumes. Any more than that, he warned, and "You're setting yourself up for failure." He also recommended performing a banded anilox test to determine the best volumes, and he compared the results of a doctor-bladed hand proofer to a press. Hudson brought the presentation full circle with illustrations of spectrodensitometer readings on the proofer's correlation to the press.

The comments the presentation garnered included "Solid practices presented for color matching," and "Good, relevant content." The pair earned nearly unanimous ratings of "outstanding" and "very good."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Carothers and Armstrong came to the Flexographic Trade School (FTS) in Fort Mill, S.C. through Jacob's Ladder Job Center, Inc., a community-based non-profit agency dedicated to helping the unemployed and underemployed to find and keep living wage jobs (www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org , 704.332.5822). Their enrollment in the school is made possible through a scholarship program created by Ron and Katherine Harper. Jacob's Ladder is based in nearby Charlotte, N.C.

Mr. Harper said, "The industry has been so good to Katherine and me over the past 37 years, and Lamar and Linwood can expect the same if they are willing to 'go the extra mile' every day in their pursuit of excellence. They are already off to a great start, having enrolled in the Flexographic Trade School, where they are receiving outstanding flexo training."

The students have reached the half-way point in FTS's three-month Flexo Press Operator Training program, and both have begun meeting with potential employers through the school's placement service.

Upon their graduation from FTS, Carothers' and Armstrong's photos will hang on a wall in the school's conference room dedicated to Harper Scholarship recipients.

"We are going to identify these students with a plaque, so everyone will be able to see all of the people that Mr. and Mrs. Harper have helped put into the industry," said Shae Fields, co-owner of FTS.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The award was bestowed on the Harpers by FTA/FFTA President Mark Cisternino and Director of Education, Joe Tuccitto. It recognized their generosity and support of the flexo industry, and their tireless commitment to helping students excel in all levels of flexographic studies. Most recently, the Harpers provided a major endowment, bestowed over the course of two years, to fund the start-up costs of FFTA's most important educational initiative ever--TEST (Technical Educational Services Team).

Although the two were unable to attend the event, as the award was formally announced, the audience of well over 600 flexographers erupted with loud cheers and a standing ovation lasting several minutes.

Ron Harper noted "Katherine and I were especially honored and humbled to have received this prestigious award from the FTA, representing an industry that we fell in love with 46 years agoand for an important cause that we are so passionate about, flexographic education within our industry and at both a high school and college level."

On stage, Tuccitto paid tribute to the Harpers and listed their assorted inventory of other notable distinctions. "Although Mr. & Mrs. H. have been recognized with a number of significant honors and awards during their lifetimesmost recently receiving the American Technical Education Association Silver Star of Excellence Award, and being inducted into the National Technical Honor Society Hall of Famewe could not allow their unending stream of benevolent support of this industry and organization, culminating with their Founding Sponsorship of the TEST program, to go by without an official ceremony to show our sincere appreciation."

Cisternino said, "RonKatherineplease accept this very special Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, presented to you on behalf of the management, leadership, membership and, most importantly, the teachers and students you've devoted a lifetime to assisting."

He concluded the ceremony fittingly, "Ronon the jacket of your book, The Harder I Work, The Luckier I Get, you state, "There is so much more to life than money. The important questions are: Have I made a difference in this world? And have I had a substantial positive influence on someone's life?" With this recognition, we'd like to say to you both here tonightmission accomplished!"

About FTA Flexographic Technical Association, chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community-printers, suppliers, consumer product companies, institutions, prepress houses and others--together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns. It is a proponent of maintaining and advancing quality standards and includes 1,750 member sites that represent more than 1,300 companies and 60,000 individuals.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"The sheer volume of what Ron and Katherine Harper have done to further technical education is astonishing," said Betty Krump, Executive Director of the American Technical Education Association. "Their foresight is amazing, and their philanthropy in talent and funding is incredibly generous."

Krump flew to Charlotte for a special awards dinner to present the Harpers with the Silver Star Award, which includes a large, framed and matted NTHS Hall of Fame award citation and a handsome medallion.

Rich Wagner, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota, nominated the Harpers for the award. Active NTHS chapters are invited to submit names of heroes who give generously to the students, schools, and other entities that make up the technical community.

Established and maintained by the National Technical Honor Society in collaboration with its partners, the NTHS Hall of Fame for Educational Excellence brings honor and recognition to outstanding educators, business, and civic leaders who have distinguished themselves through service to schools, students, community, state and the nation.

Each inductee's name, photograph, biography, and written tributes from friends and associates are placed in the NTHS Hall of Fame, permanently maintained on the society's Web site with the date, location, and person or organization presenting the award. The Harpers' lifetimes of commitment, dedication, and excellence will be recorded for posterity and forever recognized by the educational community.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

In this capacity, Jones is responsible for working with Harper customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and northern Indiana. "We are very pleased to add Ken to our account management team. He has an outstanding record in customer satisfaction, and his communication and follow-up skills are excellent. He's going to take great care of our customers," said Pete Hartman, vice president of sales for Harper Corporation of America. Jones brings a decade of industrial sales expertise and experience to his new position. He and his family reside in Huntley, Illinois, north of Chicago. "Harper has the most outstanding products on the market," said Jones. "It is a pleasure to represent a company that I truly believe in. I'm looking forward to providing the unsurpassed service that Harper customers expect - I am always here to help."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Teachout joins the group that implements Harper's lasting service commitment to its customers. He will consult on technical solutions, as well as on maximizing operations efficiency. Companies will benefit from his experience in both the wide and narrow web industries.

"It is an honor to be working with the Harper GraphicSolutions technical team. From the WalkingSeminar program to on-going and in-depth technical training, I have always felt that there is no company with more advanced offerings, and I am excited to be another resource for Harper's customers," said Teachout.

"Paul is yet another example of our efforts to maintain a technical service team that is second to none. His experience, personality, and commitment to excellence are wonderful complements to the Harper team. We could not be happier to welcome him into our family," said Alexander James, Technical Graphics Manager, Eastern Division of Harper GraphicSolutions.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

This award is presented jointly by the American Technical Education Association and the National Technical Honor Society each year to recognize exceptional support and commitment to advancing postsecondary technical education.

Rich Wagner, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota, nominated Mr. and Mrs. Harper for the award.

The Harpers are legendary in the flexography industry for their philanthropy in flexo education. It began in 1990, when the couple recognized the need for more high school vocational programs, and with the donation of their time, attention and funding, they paved the way to establish a flexographic printing program at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, N.C. Since then, they have been instrumental in setting up educational programs at other area schools. Today 21 high schools and 32 colleges in the U.S., Canada and Argentina have vocational programs based on the ones the Harpers helped initiate.

Recognizing the Internet's potential to reach further on behalf of the educational community, last year the Harpers became the founding sponsors of the Flexographic Technical Association's TEST (Technical Education Services Team) Program, an international virtual campus initiative for flexo education.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte and Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., are also beneficiaries of the Harpers' commitment to education. CPCC's southwest campus is called the Harper Campus, and it features the Harper National Flexographic Center. On Appalachian State University's campus, Katherine Harper Hall houses the school's graphics education program and administrative offices, and the Harper Flexographic Museum chronicles the history of flexography.

DiTrolio Flexographic Institute in Chicago features the Ron and Katherine Harper Flexo Lab. The Flexo Trade School in Fort Mill, S.C., boasts a state-of-the-art Harper Lab of Flexography. Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis is introducing a new Harper Graphics Technology Center in addition to its Harper Wall

Other enduring testaments to the. Harpers' dedication to technical education are the Harper Endowment at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, and the Harper Scholarship Fund and the Harper Flexo Technology Wing at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The Harpers also helped found and continue to offer critical financial support and guidance to the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting flexography education. Just last year, in addition to their other work with the Foundation, the Harpers established the Katherine Harper Teachers' Education Fund to address the need for broader and more intensive flexo education for instructors.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

In this capacity, Malm is responsible for offering Harper customers technical solutions and helping them maximize the efficiency of their operations.

Malm, a longtime veteran of the packaging industry, comes to Harper with comprehensive flexo experience and specific expertise in groups process improvement as well as global plant standardization.

"Bill adds a new dimension to our technical service team through his experience in lean manufacturing, as well as his past involvement with corporate standards and color management. He will also give us added tech support and even quicker response time in the upper Midwest and West Coast areas," said Mike Huey, Technical Graphics Manager, Western Division of Harper GraphicSolutions.

"As a former Harper customer, I have always been a fan of Harper's anilox rolls - they speak for themselves as far as performance and consistency," said Malm. "And what really put the products over the top is the overall service. Not only does Harper stand behind every roll, but their people are always there to help streamline all processes throughout production. I feel privileged to work with such a knowledgeable passionate group of individuals."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

• April 16, 2008 - Springfield, MA
• May 8, 2008 - Nashville, TN
• June 19, 2008 - Reno, NV
• July 9, 2008 - Milwaukee, WI
• August 14, 2008 - Minneapolis, MN
• October 14, 2008 - Fayetteville, AR

In addition to problem-solving, the Harper GraphicSolutions team and its team of invited industry experts also address the latest technologies and techniques to improve print quality and press efficiency, with plenty of time allotted for answering audience questions.

There is no charge for these one-day seminars, and early registration is recommended, as seating is limited.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

This was the impetus for a new type of seminar about anilox sleeves produced by Harper GraphicSolutions. The presentation initially began as a 24-slide presentation created by Bill Poulson, HGS Northeast Technical Representative, and Tony Donato, Process & Product Development Engineer. It has now evolved to almost 70 slides and a table full of training aids. Spearheaded by Alan Rogers, HGS Southeast Technical Account Manager and David Watson, HGS Southeast Technical Service Representative, the "Anilox Sleeve Presentation" has expanded into a full day of training, including an expanded question-and-answer session for customers' specific problems.

The group has presented three of the all-day sleeve seminars over the past few months: two at the company's Charlotte, N.C., headquarters and one at its Green Bay, Wisc., manufacturing facility.

According to Rogers, "There's a need for training on anilox sleeves because the care and maintenance of sleeved anilox rolls differs from journaled anilox rolls. The majority of new wide-web presses and an ever-growing number of narrow and mid-web presses installed today are sleeved presses, so it's critical that our customers are informed of the differences."

The seminar reviews basic sleeve construction, and how it differs from that of conventional journaled anilox rollers. Because sleeves are easily mounted and changed, the impact of cumulative total indicator readings (TIR) between the press mandrel and anilox sleeve is explained and demonstrated. The re-engravability differences between rolls and sleeves are examined in detail.

Speakers cover the specifics of proper sleeve handling, storage and cleaning in great detail, reviewing photos of damaged and destroyed sleeves, and focusing on how to avoid such damage.

After a complimentary lunch, the audience receives a full WalkingSeminar through Harper Corporation's anilox facility, where members can see how anilox sleeves are handled and laser-engraved before touring the Harper GraphicSolutions laboratory, where Echocheks are analyzed and all roll audits are prepared. The lab has interferometer measurement capability as well has microscopic photography and doctor blade angle measuring equipment.

"In addition to the seminars at our facilities, we have customized the seminar for several customers. We started in the Southeast, and it has since spread across the country. These personalized programs are presented inside our customers' plants, training their employees on the care and maintenance of their sleeve inventory," said Mike Huey, HGS Technical Graphics Advisor - Western Division.

"It's a successful program that meets a very real industry need. We continually update these seminars because sleeve technology continues to evolve," added Donato.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The sister product to AltraWash Green, the non-corrosive cleaner designed for water-based inks, AltraWash Blue is a new, concentrated cleaner specifically formulated for cleaning UV and solvent-based inks in pressure washing systems, soak tanks and ultrasonic tanks, or it can be used simply as an on-press anilox cleaner. It is also useful for cleaning printing plates.

"The fact that AltraWash Blue is perfectly safe for aluminum is particularly exciting," explained Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation of America. "Because aluminum is used in the construction of most wide-web and narrow-web anilox sleeves as well as lightweight anilox rolls, a non-corrosive cleaner with a safe pH level is critical for protecting anilox investments."

AltraWash Blue has a pH of 11.8. The new cleaner's advanced surfactant technology is also exceedingly environmentally friendly, using no petroleum distillates or environmentally hazardous chemicals. It is a biodegradable, low-V.O.C. product, and has low vapor pressure.

Available exclusively through HarperScientific (www.HarperScientific.com), this concentrated formula, which can be diluted with water, is sold in 1 gallon, 5 gallon, 30 gallon and 55 gallon containers.

HarperScientific is the manufacturer of CeramClean II and CeramClean SOLV-IT anilox cleaners, and a variety of bladed, laser-engraved hand-proofing systems including the Phantom line of hand proofers used to color-match flexographic and gravure inks.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"Dedicating this lab to Ron and Katherine Harper is so appropriate," said Art Fields. "I can honestly say no one has put more into putting people into the flexographic industry than Mr. and Mrs. Harper. We're thrilled to honor them today with the dedication of this lab facility. Their dedication to flexo education is absolutely inspiring." Fields, who is also the program director of FTS, went on to express his gratitude to the Harpers, co-founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, for believing in the Fields' vision for a flexographic trade school when they set out to establish FTS eight years ago.

"Katherine and I are very proud to be here today, and we are proud to be associated with the Flexographic Trade School," said Ron Harper. "Art and Shae have built a truly amazing institution here that benefits the flexo industry in so many ways. We are delighted to be a part of it, and very pleased to provide $ 50,000 in scholarship funds to FTS students over the next five years."

The school's new Harper Flexo Lab is an extremely well appointed pressroom, boasting state-of-the-art equipment. The lab includes a variety of Mark Andy products, including two new 10" 8-color presses, a 10" 830 converting system, a 17" VSR300 slitter/rewinder and a 17" VSR300D die cutter/slitter/rewinder. It also features a AAA Lightouch UV curing system with 8 stations, an American Die Technology hot stamp unit, an Amagic cold foil unit, a Lederle tabletop rewinder, a Cyrel digital imager, a Dupont Cyrel Fast 1000TD thermal developer, a Dupont Cyrel fast exposure unit, five G5 Mac computers, and a spectrodensitometer as well as a spectrophotometer from X-Rite, to name just some of the pressroom's machinery.

In addition to providing flexo education and training for well-qualified students, FTS is the commissioned training and research center for its 140+ member companies. Supported by more than 40 leading vendor sponsors, FTS's International Training and Research Center offers its converter members and vendors a facility for advancing their business technologies. The school's students run live production work commissioned by members. The result is a flexo community that benefits from a graduate pool with experience in a live production environment. In return, graduating students enjoy a 100% job placement rate.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"Ron and Katherine Harper demonstrate every day the characteristics we strive to instill in our graduates: a love of lifelong learning, dedication to providing service to others, and a commitment to excellence in their professional and personal lives," Peacock said. "It is with great pleasure and pride that Appalachian State University and its Board of Trustees present honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to both Ron and Katherine." Stunned and emotional, the Harpers rose to receive the honor as the room erupted in a standing ovation.

"Before he spoke, I asked Ken not to say anything that would make me cry," said a beaming Mr. Harper, "But he did anyway. This is the greatest honor we've ever received. Thank you so much."

"It's unbelievable!" exclaimed Mrs. Harper. "Ron and I are so surprised and grateful."

Peacock explained that the honorary doctorate of humane letters is the highest tribute a university can confer: Nominees must be approved by the school's Board of Governors, its Board of Trustees, the university's chancellor and the president of the North Carolina University System. Dr. Mark Estepp, former dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian, nominated the Harpers for their longtime support of education, contributions to society and innovation in business.

The Harpers are legendary in the flexography industry for their philanthropy in flexo education. Appalachian State University has benefited significantly from the couple's time, expertise and resources: Katherine Harper is a former member of Appalachian's Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology Advisory Board, as well as the Appalachian State University Foundation Board of Directors. ASU's flexography program received the Harpers' assistance with acquiring its first flexo press, and a financial gift from the couple created the Harper Flexographic Museum, which chronicles the history of this unique printing process. Most recently, Ron Harper presented a generous gift to the school's foundation to honor his wife. This gift will support the school's flexography program, student scholarships and other needs of the Department of Technology. To honor the Harpers' support, ASU dedicated Katherine Harper Hall last April.

The couple's dedication and generosity for education stretches back nearly two decades. Harper Corporation was the first to participate in the FTA's Flexo In High Schools/Colleges program, which was initiated in 1990 and saw the first flexographic press installed in a high school in 1992. Today high schools and colleges across the U.S. and Canada - and even Argentina - have flexo programs based on this early program to provide hands-on training for young people interested in pursuing careers in flexography.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation, a group of dedicated volunteers who work with high schools and colleges to promote and expand excellence in flexo education, is an organization long supported by the Harpers with time and funding. This year, in cooperation with Ron Harper, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation created the Katherine Harper Teachers Education Fund to further the education of high school and college flexography instructors.

In addition to Katherine Harper Hall at ASU, the Harper National Flexographic Center and the Harper Campus at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte were named in honor of the Harpers for their contributions to the school's various programs. Katherine Harper has served on the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation Board of Directors. The Harpers also have left their mark on education through support of numerous other programs throughout the United States and Canada that are related to flexography, including the Harper Endowment at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo; the Harper Scholarship Fund at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wis.; and the Harper Wall at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minn. The pair's contributions to society are not limited to education. On May 1, 2007, the Greater Carolinas Red Cross officially dedicated the Katherine Harper Disaster Staging Area in Charlotte. The Harpers have been supporters of the American Red Cross for many years, and provided funds for the creation of the staging area. It furnishes 2,000 square feet of multi-use space for storing, loading and deploying disaster equipment and supplies, and improves response time to area citizens in crisis. For her generosity and commitment to community service and philanthropy, Katherine Harper was recently selected as Charlotte's 2007 Woman of Spirit.

Hard work and initiative have created great business success for the Harpers. Over the years, the couple has established three successful companies. Thirty-six years ago, the couple founded Ron Harper Associates Ltd., forerunner to global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America. Imagination, innovation and ingenuity have driven the organization's growth ever since. It was the first company to develop and successfully market ceramic-coated anilox roll technology, beginning in early 1972. Then in 1990, Harper Corporation introduced the 60-degree-angle hexagonal laser-engraved cell, which quickly established a new global standard for anilox rolls. This technology enabled anilox line count to leap from a conventional high of 600 cells per linear inch to 2,000 and beyond in recent years, helping flexographers readily compete in the offset and gravure printing markets. The Harpers co-founded Harper/Love Adhesive Corporation in 1978 as a join venture of Harper Corporation of America and N.B. Love Industries of Sydney, Australia. The company specializes in innovative, specially blended adhesive products for the corrugated box industry with an emphasis on substrates that are challenging to bond.

And in 1981, Ron and Katherine launched Harper Machinery Corporation, a company devoted to helping the corrugated industry increase production and improve product quality with designs to modify or supplement existing equipment. The Harpers sold the company in 1989. Ron and Katherine Harper created a guiding philosophy for their business enterprises, and extended it to their lives: "Focus only on making a profit and we will struggle. Focus on doing the right things consistently every day for our customers, our employees and our community, and success will follow." The philosophy has served them well.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Nominated by the Charlotte Chamber's Manufacturers Council for their ingenuity in manufacturing and their commitment to professional education, the Harpers join the ranks of distinguished manufacturing champions recognized by the Chamber in the past, including Ruth Shaw of Duke Energy and Dan Dimico of Nucor Corporation.

The gala, sponsored by Wachovia, brought together the region's most distinguished entrepreneurs and innovative businesspeople. The Harpers' award, a one-of-a-kind vase, is a piece of art created by North Carolina glassblowing artist Kenny Pieper.

Ron and Katherine Harper's dedication to trade education is a longstanding one. In 1990, the couple recognized the need for more high school vocational programs, and with the donation of their time, attention and funding, they paved the way to establish a flexographic printing program at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte. Since then, they have been instrumental in setting up educational programs at other area schools. Today 21 high schools and 32 colleges in the U.S., Canada and Argentina have vocational programs based on the ones the Harpers helped initiate.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte and Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., are also beneficiaries of the Harpers' commitment to education. CPCC's southwest campus is called the Harper Campus. On Appalachian State University's campus, the building that houses the school's graphics education program and administrative offices is Katherine Harper Hall.

The Harpers also helped found and continue to offer critical support and guidance to the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. Based in the Charlotte area, the foundation is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting flexography education. It sponsors the annual International Phoenix Challenge Flexo Skills Competition at the Harper National Flexographic Center at CPCC's Harper Campus. Each year, teams of high school flexo students and their teachers from throughout the U.S. and Canada compete in this two-day skill-based competition, which is recognized throughout the industry as an important beacon for the industry's future. Winners are eligible for scholarships funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation to encourage students to pursue further education and a career in flexography.

Through the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, the Harpers also established the Katherine Harper Teachers' Education Fund to help address the need for broader and more intensive flexo education for instructors.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, the Harpers received the award for nearly two decades of dedicated support of flexographic education at both the high school and college level.

The award, a beautiful, large three-dimensional plaque measuring 15" x 18" reads: 2007 EDUCATION AWARD OF EXCELLENCE; Presented to Ron and Katherine Harper For Outstanding Industry Contributions. It was presented to the Harpers by Jim Workman, Vice President, Training, of the PIA/GATF Foundation.

Guest speaker Bettylyn Krafft, chairman of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, told the assembled group, "It is so fitting that Mr. and Mrs. Harper are recognized with this award. Without the Harpers, flexo education would quite simply not be where it is today. The entire industry owes them a debt of gratitude."

Krafft also explained the structure and mission of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation and its work with high schools and post secondary schools throughout North America. Ron and Katherine Harper assisted with the foundation's creation, and have been avid supporters of the organization throughout its decade-long history. Through the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, the Harpers recently established the Katherine Harper Teachers' Education Fund to help address the need for broader and more intensive flexo education for instructors.

This foundation is just one of the many areas where the Harpers have impacted flexo education. In 1990, the couple recognized the need for more high school vocational programs, and donated their time, attention and funding to establish a flexographic printing program at a Charlotte-area high school. Since then, they have been instrumental in setting up educational programs at other area schools. Today 21 high schools and 32 colleges in the U.S., Canada and Argentina have vocational programs based on the ones the Harpers helped initiate.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte and Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., are also beneficiaries of the Harpers' commitment to education. CPCC's southwest campus is called the Harper Campus and it houses the Harper National Flexographic Center. On Appalachian State University's campus, the building that houses the school's graphics education program and administrative offices is Katherine Harper Hall.

DiTrolio Flexographic Institute in Chicago recently dedicated its own Harper Flexo Lab to honor the support Ron and Katherine Harper have shown the school. Similarly, the Flexo Trade School in Fort Mill, S.C. will dedicate its Harper Flexo Lab made possible by the couple's generosity in October.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Katherine Harper was recently selected as Charlotte's "Woman of Spirit" because of her generosity and commitment to community service and philanthropy.

"Mrs. Harper was chosen from many wonderful nominations of area women who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to volunteerism and service," says Shanna Cochrane, General Manager of Morton's SouthPark.

Morton's SouthPark hosted the exclusive dinner on Tuesday, August 14. A portion of the ticket price and all money raised at the silent auction went to benefit the American Red Cross.

Harper founded Harper Corporation of America with her husband, Ron. Their innovative company is an international success with an established foundation that has supported educational institutions locally as well as internationally. Among the many recipients of Harper's generosity is Central Piedmont Community College and Appalachian State University's graphics program on the Boone campus.

However, Harper was distinguished at this event for the Katherine Harper Disaster Staging Area within the new Sadie Fowler Disaster Center of the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross. Harper and her husband have been supporters of the American Red Cross for many years. This disaster staging area will improve response time to benefit citizens of this region in crisis.

The reception and dinner menu included Morton's signature cuisine paired with exquisite, carefully chosen Banfi wines.

The Women of Spirit dinner tour will conclude in late September with an "all-star" gala event honoring America's "Women of Spirit" and the American Red Cross, to be held in Washington, DC, at the Morton's in Georgetown, which will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary. This culmination event promises to attract nationally known political, entertainment and media personalities.

Recognized as one of the largest company-owned, fine-dining restaurants in the world, Morton's The Steakhouse offers the finest in food and wine; seamless, professional and friendly service and the elegant look and luxurious feeling of an exclusive private club. Morton's The Steakhouse is located at 4331 Barclay Downs Drive in SouthPark and 227 West Trade Street in uptown Charlotte. Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Sundays. For information and reservations, please call Morton's SouthPark at 704-365-1330 and Morton's Uptown at 704-333-2602.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"We are absolutely thrilled to get these machines!" said Jerry Howell, graphic communications teacher at Fort Mill High School. "Harper has always been very generous to us and supportive of our program with the donation of its high-quality anilox rolls. The addition of this gift gives our program a real leg up!"

"It's very exciting to support the expansion of this flexo program," said Margaret Harper Kluttz, president of Harper Corporation. "Giving back to flexography by helping to create a trained workforce is a priority for Harper Corporation."

The FlexSys™ Press Simulator is a diagnostic and training program that utilizes custom-designed software to simulate any flexographic printing press, and allows students to interactively practice problem-solving techniques. A monitoring and cost analysis feature allows for a correlation of effective press utilization with production economies. Dual computer monitors display the press controls and the printed product during the simulated press run. Harper Corporation was a guiding force in the development of this training tool.

The generosity of the Harper family and Harper Corporation in flexo education is legendary. Founders Ron and Katherine Harper helped pilot the first Flexo in High Schools program (now Flexo in Education) in the early 1990s, filling a void in vocational education for youth and establishing a trained future workforce for flexography. Earlier this year, Ron Harper established the "Katherine Harper Teacher's Education Fund" through the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.

The Harpers' support for the flexo programs at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and Appalachian State University (ASU) has resulted in CPCC's Harper Campus in Charlotte, N.C., which houses the Harper National Flexographic Center, and ASU's Katherine Harper Hall, home of its graphics program on the Boone, N.C. campus.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Ron and Katherine Harper are the husband and wife team who founded Harper Corporation of America, a global anilox roll supplier with two locations in the United States and licensees in Bangkok, Thailand (Harper Asia/Pacific) and Herford, Germany (Harper Graphics). An innovator in laser-engraved anilox roll production and restoration for corrugated wide web, narrow web, and newspaper flexographic printing markets worldwide, Harper Corporation demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to education at all levels-from formal education for flexo students to technical training for industry professionals.

The Harpers' generosity is legendary in flexo education. Mr. and Mrs. Harper helped pilot the first Flexo in High Schools program (now Flexo in Education) in the early 1990s, filling a void in vocational education for youth and establishing a trained future workforce for flexography. In 2002 they created the Flexo College of the Year Award, which is presented annually during the Flexographic Technical Association Forum. Their many generous donations of anilox rolls, both in the U.S. and abroad, provide quality resources for students and allow graduates to be better prepared for the work force.

In 2005, the Harpers helped establish a hands-on flexo program at the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje de Costa Rica (INA) in San Jose, Costa Rica. In addition, their donation to California Polytechnic State University's Graphic Communication Department established the Ron and Katherine Harper Endowment, which supports flexography education, facilitates laboratory development, and allows students to travel to flexography conferences.

The Harpers' support for the flexo programs at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and Appalachian State University (ASU) has resulted in CPCC's Harper Campus in Charlotte, N.C., which houses the Harper National Flexographic Center, and ASU's Katherine Harper Hall, home of its graphics program on the Boone, N.C. campus. Earlier this year, Ron Harper established the "Katherine Harper Teacher's Education Fund" through the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, sponsor of the Phoenix Challenge Annual International High Schools and College Flexographic Competition, which has also been a major beneficiary of the Harpers' philanthropy.

Through the generous contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Harper, flexography education and the resulting availability of a trained workforce continues to enhance the entire flexographic industry.

About PIA/GATF: PIA/GATF is the world's largest graphic arts trade association representing an industry with more than 1.2 million employees. It serves the interests of more than 12,000 member companies. PIA/GATF, along with its affiliates, delivers products and services that enhance the growth, efficiency, and profitability of its members and the industry through advocacy, education, research, and technical information.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The Harpers, known for their passion for flexographic education, responded with a $50,000 grant to kick-off an aggressive fundraising campaign for the school. DiTrolio then decided on the naming of "The Ron and Katherine Harper Flexo Lab" to honor the Harper's commitment to flexographic education. He hopes to attract other major donor-partners, both converters and suppliers, to contribute to the ongoing education of future flexographers for the industry - primarily through scholarship programs. A naming dedication and celebration date for the flexo lab will be announced soon.

DFI's state-of-the-art, highly acclaimed 2,700 square-foot flexographic training facility is located about 20 minutes from downtown Chicago. The lab includes an impressive range of flexographic equipment including, but not limited to, an 830 Mark Andy three-color press, a four-color Webtron and a five-color 13" Propheteer with DMS Hot Stamping and Prime UV's on four print stations. Plus Anderson & Vreeland plate-making equipment, an Air Trim waste removal system, a BST Promark web inspection system, Rotometric dies, Action rotary dies, a Harper proofing system and Harper XLT Platinum anilox rolls. (For a complete list of equipment, please visit www.flexotraining.com.)

DiTrolio Flexographic 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. The school boasts a 100% job placement rate since July 2005 and has had numerous articles written about the many successes of its student graduates.

About Flexography Flexography (also called surface printing, or "flexo"), is a method of printing commonly used for packaging. (Packaging is the fourth largest industry in the U.S.) Typical products printed using flexography include brown cardboard boxes, flexible packaging including retail and shopping bags, food and hygiene bags and sacks, flexible plastics, self adhesive labels, and wallpaper. More than 40 major newspapers now print flexographically. It's estimated that more than 90% of the items in a grocery store are printed on a flexographic printing press. Currently flexography is taking over approximately 7% of the printing industry each year. Already holding about 50% of the printing market, it's likely that flexography eventually will be the method used for almost all printed material.

About the DiTrolio Flexographic Institute: The DiTrolio Flexographic Institute, Inc. was founded to meet the flexographic industry's need for quality, off-site training to counter the problems of on-the-job training: wasted production and equipment time, wasted raw materials, and inconsistent skill sets. The institute offers industry-specific training seminars for all skill levels - from beginning press operations to advanced printing applications - and features a state-of-the-art environment where new press operators and seasoned industry professionals alike can gain hands-on exposure to printing and finishing processes.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"AltraWash Green is revolutionary," said Tony Donato, Technical Sales Solutions Manager at HarperScientific. "Not only is it exceedingly environmentally friendly, but it is perfectly safe for aluminum, which opens it up to a multitude of uses."

Because aluminum is used in the construction of lightweight anilox rolls and most anilox sleeves, printers need to choose their cleaners with care if they are to protect their anilox investments. AltraWash Green's cleaning formula is non-corrosive to aluminum, so it is ideal for anilox cleaning on or off-press. It is also designed to be safe and effective for use in pressure washing systems, soak tanks, ultrasonic tanks or flushing through the entire ink system.

The new cleaner's advanced surfactant technology is exceedingly environmentally friendly, using no petroleum distillates or environmentally hazardous chemicals. It is biodegradable, has low vapor pressure and produces no V.O.C.s. AltraWash Green has a pH of 11.8. Available exclusively through HarperScientific, this concentrated formula, which can be diluted with water, is sold in 1 gallon, 5 gallon, 30 gallon and 55 gallon containers.

HarperScientific is the manufacturer of CeramClean II and CeramClean SOLV-IT anilox cleaners, a wide variety of flexographic and gravure hand-proofing systems, and DuroSeal chamber blade end seals.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"The Platinum XLT calculator quickly allows users to determine the best anilox-to-plate screen combination for process and vignette printing," said Jim Harper of Harper Corporation. "It provides print room management and press crews with a helpful tool to double-check the anilox and plate configuration, and ensure proper ratios for new jobs. The calculator takes into account minimum dot size, outlining actual dot sizes for plates from 55 to 200 line screens, ranging from 1-5%."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

On Tuesday, May 1, the Greater Carolinas Red Cross officially dedicated the Katherine Harper Disaster Staging Area as part of the Sadie Fowler Disaster Center in Charlotte, N.C.

Ron and Katherine Harper were among key players in the creation of the Disaster Center. The Harpers, owners of Harper Corporation of America, which pioneered the successful use of industrial plasma flame-spraying technology for anilox rolls, provided money for the creation of a staging area within The Sadie Fowler Disaster Center.

This center is unique in that it is only one of a dozen facilities of its kind among Red Cross Chapters nationwide. The disaster center, which offers state-of-the art capabilities, and is staffed by 1,800 trained volunteers, enables the Greater Carolinas Red Cross to respond more quickly and efficiently to neighbors in need. It also provides a place for community residents to learn emergency preparedness so that they too may help their neighbors and save lives. Both Mecklenburg and Iredell County count on the Greater Carolinas Red Cross to be there when disaster strikes.

The Katherine Harper Disaster Staging Area provides 2,000 square feet of multi-use space for storing, loading and deploying disaster equipment and supplies.

The Disaster Center is a revolution in disaster response. The facility would not exist without the generosity of community leaders like the Harpers. Through their kindness, the Harpers inspire goodwill and friendship toward the Greater Carolinas Chapter and the residents of Mecklenburg and Iredell County.

The Harpers not only helped improve the quality of disaster response issued by the Greater Carolinas Chapter but helped improve the lives of their neighbors when disaster strikes.

The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors-across the street, across the country and across the world-in emergencies.

Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new-the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some 4 million people give blood-the gift of life-through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected.

Locally, over 2,300 people in need after a disaster turned to their neighbors familiar and new-the nearly 3,500 volunteers and 51 employees of the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the Red Cross. Through the Greater Carolinas Chapter, more than 53,000 people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes. Free trips to medical appointments for over 17,000 people are provided, some 51,000 "life-saving" units of blood were donated, 38,000 pamphlets on safety and preparedness are distributed and over 1,470 U.S. service members separated from theirs families stay connected through the Greater Carolinas Chapter.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"We've developed the SleeveWrak Double-Decker Rack to minimize sleeve damage, accommodate both anilox and plate sleeves, and maximize storage convenience," said Tony Donato, Process & Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation.

"Each sleeve is held in position by a pair of specially designed guides and stored vertically, which minimizes compression of the expansion layer of the sleeve. The rack also features a built-in rubber belt that supports the bottom end of the sleeve and keeps the ends from becoming damaged or chipped. Heavy-duty casters mean that the sleeve inventory can be moved over to the press quickly and easily."

In addition to the flexibility of storing both anilox and plate sleeves, each rack, which comes standard with 32 pairs of adjustable guides, can accommodate up to 50 narrow web anilox and/or plate sleeves with the addition of further guides.

The rack's adjustable guides can be moved along a built-in track, which allows for the storage of any "repeat" of plate sleeves. The bottom guide assemblies are designed with universality in mind, so each storage station accommodates either an anilox or plate sleeve: Anilox sleeves rest around the lower, larger diameter of the guide, and the smaller round guide that sits atop it accommodates a plate cylinder.

The SleeveWrak Double-Decker Rack is designed for easy loading from either side of the unit: While holding the sleeve vertically, simply tilt the top of the sleeve into the rack and lift it so the upper guide slips into the bore of the sleeve. Once the bottom of the sleeve is high enough to clear the bottom guide, center the sleeve over the bottom guide and lower until it rests flat.

The SleeveWrak Double-Decker Rack is available exclusively through HarperScientific (www.HarperScientific.com ).

HarperScientific is the manufacturer of CeramClean II and CeramClean SOLV-IT anilox cleaners, a wide variety of flexographic and gravure hand-proofing systems, and DuroSeal chamber blade end seals. For mid-web and wide web sleeves larger than 30 inches in length, see www.HarperScientific.com for the original SleeveWrak.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The building is named for Katherine Harper of Charlotte, co-founder of Harper Corporation of America and longtime champion of flexography education. In her honor, Mrs. Harper's husband, Ron, made a generous gift to the university through the Appalachian State University Foundation. For nearly two decades, both Ron and Katherine Harper have involved themselves deeply in the education and training of future flexographers at the high school and college levels through the Foundation of FTA and the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.

"For 55 years, Katherine has been my wife, my best friend and my business partner," said Mr. Harper. "I can think of no better way to honor her than to name this building for her. This is truly one of our dreams come true; to feel such an integral part of this wonderful university. We have certainly made some lifetime friends here at Appalachian during the past 15 years."

In addition to the Harpers and Chancellor Peacock, other officials spoke at the celebration, including Dr. J. Mark Estepp, dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts; Mark Cisternino, president of the Flexographic Technical Association and the Flexographic Technical Association Foundation; and Bettylyn Krafft, chairperson for the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.

Katherine Harper Hall, located at 397 Rivers Street, houses the majority of the Department of Technology's academic programs and administrative offices. The gift supports the university's flexography education program, the Katherine Harper Scholarship Endowment for scholarships for Harper Corporation employees and their children, as well as others needing financial assistance. The gift also supports other needs of the Department of Technology.

The Harpers are the founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America. Harper Corporation has manufacturing facilities in Charlotte, N.C. and Green Bay, Wisc., as well as licensee operations in Bangkok, Thailand, and Herford, Germany.

Appalachian's flexography program, part of the Thomas W. Reese Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology program, is housed in the Department of Technology, which is part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. The university also is home to the Harper Flexographic Museum, which highlights a chronological history of this unique printing process.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The purpose of the fund is to further the education of flexo instructors at both the high school and college level, through a wide variety of opportunities.

Krafft said, "We are very pleased, but not surprised, that Katherine Harper initiated this important and timely program with a $100,000 commitment. She recognized the need for more intensive and broader flexo education for instructors, and acted to fill that need."

Mrs. Harper added, "Ron and I have been extremely impressed with the tenacity, persistence and dedication of Bettylyn, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation board of directors, and the entire group of industry volunteers who have brought the organization and the Phoenix Challenge International High School Flexo Competition to the professional level it has achieved over a short period of time. We believe that offering the industry's dedicated teachers additional opportunities and experiences through this fund can only enrich the flexo community as a whole."

To inquire about establishing a special individual or company fund with the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, or to learn more about the Phoenix Challenge International High School Flexo Competition or the new PC College competition, email Bettylyn Krafft at bkrafft@carolina.rr.com. (continued)

About the Phoenix Challenge Foundation Founded in 1998, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization of industry professionals dedicated to the recruitment and development of the future workforce of flexography. Each year, flexo high school students and teachers from throughout the U.S. and Canada are invited to the Phoenix Challenge, a two-day skill-based competition with hands-on and written testing in operating a flexo press, prepress, plate-making, and overall flexo knowledge. Winners are eligible for scholarships funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. To date, $21,000 in scholarships has been awarded to encourage students to pursue further education and a career in flexography.

For additional information or to make donations, please visit www.phoenixchallenge.org. The Phoenix Challenge Foundation - 6805 Pleasant Grove Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

A naming and dedication ceremony for Katherine Harper Hall will take place at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at 397 Rivers Street on the Appalachian campus.

The Harpers are the founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America. Anilox rolls are used in a printing method called "Flexography," typically used in printing packaging materials such as brown cardboard boxes, retail and shopping bags, food and hygiene bags and sacks, flexible plastics, self-adhesive labels and wallpaper.

"Not only are Ron and Katherine leaders in their chosen field, they are leaders in philanthropy at all levels of education," stated Dr. J. Mark Estepp, dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. "Rarely have I seen a more giving spirit. They truly live the adage 'It is better to give than to receive.' Appalachian is honored by their friendship."

Harper Corporation has manufacturing facilities in Charlotte and Green Bay, Wisc., as well as licensee operations in Bangkok, Thailand, and Herford, Germany. The Harpers have been deeply involved in education and training future flexographers at the high school and college levels.

Appalachian State's flexography program, within its Thomas W. Reese Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology program, is housed in the Department of Technology which is part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. The University also is home to the Harper Flexographic Museum, which highlights a chronological history of this unique printing process. In addition to graphic arts, the Department of Technology has programs in Appropriate Technology, Building Science, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Technical Photography and Technology Education.

The proceeds of the gift will be used for the flexography education program, university-wide student scholarships and other needs in the Department of Technology.

Besides Harper Corporation, Mrs. Harper has been a successful businesswoman and co-founder of several businesses between 1971 and 2007.

Mrs. Harper has won several awards, including the Governor's Award for Workforce Development in 1995. She was the Mecklenburg County Finance Chair for Governor Jim Hunt during his campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1984. She was appointed to the N.C. Banking Commission from 1982-1985, served on the N.C. Advisory Board for Workforce Development from 1990-1992 and the N.C. Small Business Council from 1993-1997. In 1995 she was appointed to the U.S. Export Council of North Carolina by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Mrs. Harper was the first female to serve as chairperson of the Flexographic Technical Association's (FTA) Annual Forum in Orlando, Florida, and the first female to chair the annual Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Institute Conference, in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, the National Flexographic Center and the Harper Campus at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte was named in honor of the Harpers for their contribution to the school's various programs.

The Harpers were the first to participate in the FTA`s Flexo In High Schools/Colleges program, which was initiated in 1990 and saw the first flexographic press installed in a high school in 1992. Today 21 high schools and 32 colleges in the U.S., Canada and Argentina provide hands-on training for young people interested in pursuing a career in flexography. Harper is a strong supporter of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, a group of dedicated volunteers who work with high schools to promote friendly competition in flexo education.

Ron Harper said, "I am so proud of Katherine, that even today after a marriage of fifty-five years, five children, fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren, she is still raring and ready to get involved. Kat has been my greatest personal inspiration in a life and career that has been very rewarding. But she takes little credit, insisting that God deserves all the praise."

Harper added, "We have made many friends at ASU over the past fifteen years and have always been impressed with their enthusiasm and professional approach to the education of our young people. We are honored and happy to be able to provide financial assistance for the training and teaching of those who are destined to become tomorrow's leaders."

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Dear Media Friend,

Please mark Friday, March 30 on your calendar and plan to join us for a Media Day to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.

DATE: Friday March 30, 2007 EVENT: Media Day, 10th Anniversary Celebration and Banquet

WHERE: Harper Campus, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

TIME: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Complimentary lunch included)

As a guest the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, you will be invited to participate in and learn about a variety of exciting events:

1 - 10th Annual International Phoenix Challenge High School Flexo Competition. " Get the inside scoop as you walk through the actual competition and experience the enthusiasm, determination and tenacity of the students competing for the top awards. The gravity and magnitude of this competition may surprise you. " Talk with the flexographic high school instructors from across North America, and interview Mark Cisternino, president of the Flexographic Technical Association, to learn more about the benefits of this important program that educates and trains tomorrow's flexographers.

2 - PC College " Dr. Robin Williams of Appalachian State University and I will provide a progress report on the development of a Phoenix Challenge Competition designed for college and university students. It's a bright new idea from which the entire industry can immediately benefit.

3 - Katherine Harper's wonderful new autobiography, The Longer I Live, The More I Learn " Learn about the new autobiography from the former president of Harper Corporation, where she documents more than three decades of the female flexo professional's perspective on the rise of flexography. Mrs. Harper is generously donating the proceeds from the sale of this book to the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.

4 - Central Piedmont Community College's (CPCC) Continuing Education Series for Flexo Professionals " Steve Gerhardt, Harper National Flexographic Center Coordinator at CPCC, will provide an update on the college's special efforts to provide advanced flexo training and education for those already employed in the industry, as well as to students attending CPCC.

5 - 10th Anniversary Phoenix Challenge Foundation Awards Banquet " You are invited to be our guest at the Friday evening awards banquet, where you'll learn about the rich history and unique success of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, and feel the electricity and anticipation when the 2007 scholarship winners are announced!

Please RSVP by March 23 via telephone at 704-309-3748 or email at bkrafft@carolina.rr.com. We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,
Bettylyn Krafft,
Chairman The Phoenix Challenge Foundation

--------------------------------------------

About the Phoenix Challenge Foundation

Founded in 1998, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization of industry professionals dedicated to the recruitment and development of the future workforce of flexography. Each year, flexo high school students and teachers from throughout the U.S. and Canada are invited to the Phoenix Challenge, a two-day skill-based competition with hands-on and written testing in operating a flexo press, prepress, plate-making, and overall flexo knowledge. Winners are eligible for scholarships funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. To date, $21,000 in scholarships has been awarded to encourage students to pursue further education and a career in flexography.

For additional information, please visit www.phoenixchallenge.org .

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation - 6805 Pleasant Grove Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"I'm honored to join the board," said Gerhardt. "The Phoenix Challenge Foundation serves a function that is integral to the future of the flexographic industry. As a flexo educator, I believe in the importance of creating a trained and talented future workforce for flexography - it's the basis of my career."

"Stephen is a perfect addition to our board," said Bettylyn Krafft, Phoenix Challenge Foundation chairman. "His experience falls in line precisely with our mission and we will draw on his expertise as we work to expand the Foundation's scope to include PC College, our new annual competition for college students."

A seven-time PICA (Printing Industry of the Carolinas) award-winner, Gerhardt began his career in graphics while managing two business service centers that offered design work and quick printing. He later joined PostNet as a Graphic Specialist, where his pre-press skills proved a valuable asset. With his sights set on furthering his formal education in flexography, he enrolled in the graphic arts program at CPCC's Harper Campus. While attending CPCC, he was hired as a part time Lab Facilitator, giving countless press and plate-making demonstrations, teaching pre-press skills, and helping students and teachers trouble-shoot press operations. Along the way he developed a love for teaching flexography and computer graphics.

He has taught Flexography I, Flexographic Applications, Image Manipulation I, Graphic Arts I, and Computer Graphics II, III and IV. His teaching methods are very popular with CPCC's graphic arts students.

Major supporters of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation include All Printing Resources, Anderson & Vreeland, Avery Dennison, Benton Graphics, Canadian Flexographic Training Committee, Central Piedmont Community College, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Dunwoody College of Technology, Flexographic Technical Association, Harper Corporation, JetUSA, J.R. Cole, Krafft Printing Systems, Mark Andy, Rotometrics, and Water Ink Technologies. Other sponsors include Appalachian State University, Environmental Inks, FlexoExchange, Graymills, Mastergraphics, RB COR and Williamson.

For more information on how you can support the Phoenix Challenge, or to inquire about advertising in the Phoenix Challenge newspaper, contact Bettylyn Krafft at 704-309-3748 or bkrafft@carolina.rr.com .

For more information on the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, the Flexo Skills Competition and PC College, please visit www.phoenixchallenge.org .

About the Phoenix Challenge Foundation Founded in 1998, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization of industry professionals dedicated to the recruitment and development of the future workforce of flexography. Each year, flexo high school students and teachers from throughout the U.S. and Canada are invited to the Phoenix Challenge, a two-day skill-based competition with hands-on and written testing in operating a flexo press, prepress, plate-making, and overall flexo knowledge. Winners are eligible for scholarships funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation.

In 2007, The Phoenix Challenge Foundation will host its first PC College competition.

To date, $21,000 in scholarships has been awarded to encourage students to pursue further education and a career in flexography. For additional information or to make donations, please visit www.phoenixchallenge.org .

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation - 6805 Pleasant Grove Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Until now, the opportunity to participate in a Harper WalkingSeminar has been limited to flexographic industry professionals. But with the advent of its new student program, Harper is offering this educational tool to flexo students and interns, as well.

"This new program is a natural complement to Harper Corporation's other endeavors to further flexo education globally," said Margie Kluttz, President of Harper Corporation. "It provides students the opportunity to more easily absorb many of the technical aspects of flexography that they can't learn in a classroom, lab or back on the job."

A WalkingSeminar is strictly an educational tour at one of Harper Corporation's state-of-the-art anilox and coating roll laser-engraving facilities. It is combined with a customized technical session on anilox and flexo technology where visitors can obtain solutions to specific problems. Attendees have the opportunity to see the latest laser-engraving technology, and talk with some of the industry's most knowledgeable professionals and many other world-class associates. The mission of Harper's WalkingSeminars is to help attendees develop a clearer understanding of what it takes to enhance the flexo process. This, in turn, can provide more opportunities to improve their bottom lines and expand their market share. There is no cost to participate.

Harper WalkingSeminars are renowned throughout the industry. Since 1990, thousands of converters, co-suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, educators, students, members of the media and supplier partners from around the globe have participated in WalkingSeminars at Harper's Advanced Surface Technologies Centers.

Interested parties can schedule a Harper WalkingSeminar at any Harper Advanced Surface Technology Center manufacturing location. All sessions are completely confidential. " Charlotte, North Carolina " DePere, Wisconsin " Herford, Germany " Bangkok, Thailand

One company or student group is scheduled at a time, and WalkingSeminar instructors each work with a maximum of six persons. Converters are welcome to bring other suppliers, such as representatives from manufacturers of inks, substrates, plates, etc. There may be as many as five groups from the same organization involved simultaneously, for a maximum of 30 total participants.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"We are very grateful for a terrifically successful luncheon," said Bettylyn Krafft, Phoenix Challenge Foundation (PCF) chairman, of the event. "We appreciate the generous benefactors who sponsored full tables at this luncheon, as well as the loyal backers who support us in smaller numbers."

Krafft opened the proceedings an overview of the foundation's growth and an introduction of its board members. Next, Joe Tuccito of Anderson & Vreeland took the floor. With his trademark easygoing and witty brand of repartee, Tuccito offered a history of the Phoenix Challenge competition and its accomplishments, as well as an update on Justin Green and Herbert Hardin, winners of the very first competition.

Lunch was followed by an update from Krafft on the foundation's growth projects: " Expanding the PCF Web site and newspaper (which included a request for updates from the high schools and colleges, and particularly information to track the careers of PC participants.) " Working with instructors to establish a standardized flexo curriculum " Establishing PC College, the college-level flexo competition " Partnering with industry to develop a small corrugated printing press " Partnering with industry to purchases additional narrow web presses for education " Partnering with industry for substrate donations for high schools

Krafft outlined highlights of this year's Annual International Phoenix Challenge High School Flexo Skills Competition, which will take place March 28-30, and include more than 50 students from 9-12 schools. Charlotte, N.C.-area printers will inspire students with tours of their plants. Teachers will have the opportunity to participate in continuing education workshops, and Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), in Charlotte will assist them with obtaining continuing education credit.

Next, Dr. Robin Williams, of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., gave an enthusiastic introduction to PC College, the PCF's new flexo competition for college students. The program will be kicked off at the 2007 FFTA Flexo in Education Luncheon this spring.

Glynn Wilson of Workhorse Industries, presented an update on the Corrugated Project, and the Colt miniature press, under development for use in academic settings.

And the luncheon's guest speaker, Dave Harris of JR Cole Industries, gave a heartwarming speech where he shared wisdom about his experience in the flexo industry and what he's learned during his long and dedicated career.

The companies that sponsored tables included Alden & Ott Printing Inks, Appalachian State University, Avery Dennison, CL & D Graphics, Environmental Inks and Coatings, Ron and Katherine Harper, Harper Corporation of America, Water Ink Technologies and Workflow One.

Proceeds from the luncheon will help cover travel expenses for students traveling to Charlotte from throughout the U.S. and Canada during the March 2007 Annual International Phoenix Challenge Flexo Skills Competition, as well as provide housing and meals for the student teams. The competition's annual cost is now in excess of $40,000, as it enters its tenth year.

Major supporters of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation include Anderson & Vreeland, Avery Dennison, Benton Graphics, Central Piedmont Community College, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Dunwoody College of Technology, Flexographic Technical Association, Harper Corporation of America, JetUSA, J.R. Cole, Mark Andy, Rotometrics, Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute, and Water Ink Technologies. Other sponsors include APR, BASF, DuPont, Environmental Inks, FlexoExchange, Pamarco, RB COR and Williamson.

About the Phoenix Challenge Foundation Founded in 1998, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization of industry professionals dedicated to the recruitment and development of the future workforce for flexography. Each year, flexo high school students and teachers from throughout the U.S. and Canada are invited to the Phoenix Challenge, a two-day skill-based competition with hands-on and written testing in operating a flexo press, prepress, plate-making, and overall flexo knowledge. Winners are eligible for scholarships funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. To date, $16,000 in scholarships has been awarded to encourage students to pursue further education and a career in flexography.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

"They're in the trenches, working with our product on the press floor," said Jim Harper, Vice President of HarperScientific. "We love to hear from them about how things are working and learn about the new uses they find for our products."

It turns out that CeramClean II, the on-press anilox roll cleaner recognized throughout the printing industry for its superior cleaning power, is also an excellent stain remover to supplement cleaning with machine cleaning systems.

"We're hearing that using CeramClean II on tough stains that aren't removed by machine cleaning systems gives our customers a powerful tool to complete the cleaning of their anilox rolls," said Tony Donato, Process & Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation. "When rolls are cleaned with an ultrasonic unit, in a soak tank, or machine washed, there are times that the roll is not completely cleaned when the cycle is complete. It may be a missed spot, water spots, plugged cells, ink pigment stain, or something similar. When this happens, scrubbing the spot or stain by hand with CeramClean II does the trick. It can be applied with a cloth or scrubbed with the appropriate brush, rinsed and dried. According to our customers, it works like a charm!"

CeramClean II removes water, dried UV-based and solvent-based inks from the cells of anilox rolls without damaging the cell structure. The cleaner removes most tough stains on the roll face, and safely and thoroughly cleans gravure and chrome cylinders. Like all HarperScientific products, CeramClean II includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

HarperScientific is also the manufacturer of Ezze-Peel peelable protection coating, CeramClean SOLV-IT anilox cleaner, a wide variety of flexographic and gravure hand-proofing systems, and DuroSeal chamber blade end seals.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Scheduled for May 3-4, INFO*FLEX has grown the past three decades into one of the most recognized, best attended networking opportunities in North America for those doing business in the package printing and in-line converting industry.

At the show, Harper experts will brief visitors on the company’s newest anilox roll products and increased capabilities. On display will be a Phantom QD™, a patent pending proofing  system, a new Ultra Lightweight Anilox Sleeve -- the lightest now available – and Harper’s Super Echo Alloy Layer (SEAL) Bond that increases durability of aluminum base rolls in corrosive environments.

Examples of increased capability include four new machines with advanced laser technology and three new plasma units offering the latest in thermal spray technology.

The Paris Las Vegas Hotel is serving as host site for the exhibition and show. Event sponsors anticipate more than 160 of flexography’s leading suppliers will be on hand to discuss business trends, emerging technologies and other issues affecting flexo printing and converting companies.

As in years past, the event expects to draw a substantial collection of industry professionals, including executives/CEOs, package buyers and consumer product companies (CPCs), purchasing and marketing managers, pressroom, production and R&D staffers, technical experts and educators.

This year, the Monday luncheon, the concluding Tuesday night social event, a display of FTA’s Excellence in Flexography Award winners and a presentation by the winning Phoenix Challenge collegiate team will all take place on the show floor.  

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The next free seminar, with presentations by Harper experts, co-suppliers and other industry insiders, is set for June 9 at Fullerton College near Los Angeles. Other seminars are scheduled this summer and fall in Carol Stream, IL; Columbus, OH and Somerset, NJ.      

The Arkansas session received positive reactions from attendees, including print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, graphic designers, general managers and purchasing personnel.   

Sean Teufler, Technical Graphics Advisor at Harper GraphicSolutions™, delivered one of seminar’s most comprehensive briefings with his presentation entitled, “A Sensible Approach to Anilox Standardization.”

“Given the growing emphasis on sustainability in flexographic printing and the many options presented by recent innovations in anilox technologies, standardization has never been more important or made better bottom-line sense,” Teufler said. “I think the North Little Rock audience grasped that. Their interest and questions made the event memorable.” 

Due to limited seating, early registration is suggested for all upcoming seminars. Please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

 

“The 1,500 people in attendance at Forum & INFO*FLEX, big turnouts for the technical sessions and overall floor traffic signaled a significant upswing this year compared to last year,” said Sharon Cox, Director of Marketing at FTA. “We’re building on this momentum to make sure that 2011 events not only meet but exceed the level of success we garnered from this year’s show.”  

Harper products and technologies drew a robust crowd and many inquiries at the firm’s booths. Gordon Smith and Neil Surber from Harper described booth traffic as the highest level they’ve witnessed in five years.

“Many people were looking at the Phantom QD™ to further enhance their ink formulating and matching processes prior to press runs,” said Sean Teufler, Technical Graphics Advisor at Harper GraphicSolutions™. Existing customers at the booth, he said, talked about how critical Harper consistency and quality are to their printing process.

Paul Teachout, also a HarperGraphics Technical Graphics Advisor, agreed that the easy-to-use, utility-free Phantom QD™ -- a patent-pending unit with its own pressure loading system – continues generating lots of attention within the industry even nine months after its market introduction.

Another product that attracted second looks from booth visitors was the new Harper Ultra Lightweight (ULW) Anilox Sleeve. An exclusive to Harper Global partners, the ULW Sleeve is 20 percent lighter than previous lightweight versions and now ranks as the market’s lightest available sleeve.

“Customers frequently mentioned that even though our competitors tout new technologies, nothing can beat the consistency of a Harper anilox roll in the color management process,” Teachout said. “Predictable, repeatable consistency is what secures our converter partnerships.”

Organizers report that reserved booth space for next year’s INFO*FLEX 2011 scheduled for Indianapolis has already reached 70 percent of capacity.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

A veteran of more than two decades in the flexographic printing and converting industry, Schroder will coordinate client management and services to the Wide Web and Narrow Web flexographic markets throughout the province of Ontario.

Schroder’s career has included positions in sales, process management, marketing and technical services. An enthusiastic advocate of expanding flexo education, he has been an active participant with the Flexographic Technological Association (FTA) for over 25 years. His work on the Flexsys Computer Simulator project helped earn Schroder the FTA’s coveted “President’s Award” in 2000.

“Ron’s in depth knowledge of the industry, dynamic presentation skills, commitment to representing superior products and expert client relation skills are in perfect alignment with the vision and corporate goals of Canflexographics Limited,” said Kelly Roberts, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  

On April 1, Canflexographicsmarked its 17^th anniversary as exclusive Canadian sales agent for products and services from Harper Corporation of America.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

More than 100 executives, managers and craftsmen registered for the Atlanta area seminar and nearly that many came to hear presentations and watch demonstrations from Harper experts and other leading print technology firms.

Paul Teachout, Harper GraphicSolutions™ Technical Graphics Advisor, opened the day’s agenda by outlining his keys to successful pressroom standardization.  The morning session included discussions on maintenance of water-based flexo inks, how to create leak-free clean printing stations and ways to better care for anilox rolls.

Following the complimentary lunch, seminar attendees learned about the benefits promised by the next generation of digital plates and were briefed on ink technology and adhesion issues.

“The large turnout in Atlanta, combined with the volume of questions from the audience and the overall enthusiasm, I think, reflect an increased degree of confidence and high comfort level with today’s flexo technology and what it can offer them in the future,” Teachout said.

Harper is now accepting registrations for the June 9 tour stop planned for Fullerton College in suburban Los Angeles.

For more information or to register for an upcoming seminar, contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com
     

FullertonCollegeis hosting the free day-long session on Wednesday, June 9, beginning at 8 a.m. Attendees can receive a special $89 a night rate at the nearby Crowne Plaza Hotel Fullerton.

Seminar presentations – given by experts from Harper and other industry leaders – address topics of interest to print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, graphic designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers as well as general managers and purchasing staffers.

Bill Malm, Harper’s Midwest and West Coast Technical Graphic Advisor, will open the seminar with his overview of pressroom standardization. The morning schedule includes a briefing on how flexographic plate mounting tapes can improve print quality and productivity. Also scheduled: a comprehensive review of surface tension and ink adhesion principles and analysis of effective approaches to anilox cleaning in today’s environment. 

Following a complimentary lunch, attendees will hear a discussion on creating leak-free clean printing stations and suggestions on options for improving process control procedures in plate rooms. The seminar will end with concluding remarks and the awarding of door prizes in mid-afternoon.

Space at the seminar is limited. Register by contacting Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, Ext. 292; via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.com, or register online at http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Los-Angeles-CA/40

HarperScientific Product Development Engineer Tony Donato and Bill Poulson, Northeast Technical Graphics Advisor at Harper GraphicSolutions™, briefed attendees on the advantages of the Harper Xtreme Digital Imaging (XDI™) platform and popular Phantom QD™ quick drawdown proofing system. The four-day RadTech UV/EB 2010 show took place in Baltimore in late May.

On the market for less than a year and now patent pending, the Phantom QD™ is the first fully portable ink proofing system. Utility-free, the Phantom QD™ System produces constant loading pressure without an external power supply. Linearly guiding and loading the QD proofer down the length of the 500mm table, with its magnetic-loaded doctor blade and quick-change anilox roller, the highly repeatable proofing system produces ink or coating draw downs on almost any substrate.

At the RadTech Technology Expo the Harper experts provided live demonstrations using the Phantom QD proofing system complemented with a GEW UV curing unit and displayed the XDI anilox technology. By using XDI™ ceramic laser engraved cylinders, gravure printers can benefit from the wear resistance of the ceramic and graphically prepared images that are laser engraved.  

“Our Phantom QD continues to draw the attention of ink and coating professionals who seek the highest degree of precision proofing,” Donato said. “More and more from the industry, the Phantom is viewed as the ultimate tool for improving pressroom efficiency.”

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Recent advances in printing technology and discussions of new solutions to cost, quality and production challenges will take center-stage at the June 23-24 event. In addition to joining PCMC as an event sponsor, Harper experts will be available to brief show visitors and provide information on Harper’s most recent innovations in anilox roller technology.

Industry insiders are invited to attend a series of information sessions each day. Presenters will explore the latest package printing trends, examine ways companies can profit from  “green” alternatives, suggest money-saving options, outline available financing for new technology and give advice on how to stay competitive in the current business climate.

Geared to managers and craftsmen alike, PCMC iMpact2010 will also address daily printing tasks, including inspection systems, ink control, press tooling, maintenance and the broad range of printing supplies.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Founded in 1913, Fullerton College is the oldest community college in continuous operation in California. It enrolls more than 19,000 students and boasts a full-time and adjunct faculty of nearly 900. The school’s curricula range from transfer-level courses to career certification programs. The seminar was coordinated through the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies in partnership with the school’s Printing Technology Program.

The free day-long seminar opened with an in-depth presentation on pressroom standardization delivered by Bill Malm, Technical Graphic Advisor at Harper GraphicSolutions™.

After Malm’s remarks, attendees were briefed on the quality and productivity benefits of using mounting tape with flexographic plates. The morning session ended with a review of surface tension and ink adhesion principles and a discussion of the best available options for cleaning anilox rollers.

The afternoon session featured presentations on leak-free clean printing stations and procedures for improving plate room process control procedures. Seminar participants also enjoyed a complimentary lunch.

“Large audiences showing a high level of interest have been the rule at our flexographic solutions tour sites this year and the Fullerton College event was no exception,” Malm said. “Yes, printing pros are dealing with challenging business conditions. But they continue to respond enthusiastically to new ideas that help them improve quality and enhance the efficiency of their operations.”

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

After nearly nine months in the planning, the upgraded website opened to visitors in mid-May. We focused on creating a website that offers a wealth of user-friendly links to in-depth information on Harper Corporation of America, its history, varied products and services.

E-commerce options include the capability of customers to formally place and process orders after comprehensive review of product specifications and suggested applications. The website also accommodates registration for future trade shows and Harper sponsored seminars – including the annual Harper Flexographic Solutions tour.

“We feel this next-generation website reflects our belief that we best serve our customers and potential customers by sharing the most information and technical data we can in a way that best suits their immediate needs and expectations,” said Harper President Margie Kluttz. “Also, the new design offers us the flexibility to add many more options in the future.” 

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

To guarantee a seat, RSVP with Harper by Friday, July 23. The Holiday Inn & Suites at 150 S. Gary Avenue will host the day-long event.

Experts from Harper and other printing industry leaders use the seminars to focus on topics of concern to print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, graphic designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers as well as general managers and purchasing staffers.

Bill Malm, Harper’s Midwest and West Coast Technical Sales Specialist, will begin the Carol Stream event with an up-to-date analysis of pressroom standardization. Presentations by Environmental Inks and Coatings on ink adhesion and the latest about anilox cleaning from Flexowash will follow. Reps from All Printing Resources will complete the morning schedule.

 After a complimentary lunch, attendees will learn about more effective proofing and color management from an Epson representative and be briefed on the finer points of digital plate technology and NX digital plates by Kodak’s Doug Weiss. Attendance is required for door prize eligibility.

Seats at the seminar are limited. To guarantee a seat, RSVP with Harper by Friday, July 23. Register by contacting Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, Ext. 4292; via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.com, or register online at http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Carol-Stream-IL/44

Since arriving in January, the Fort Mill, SC-based 1222 Engineer Company Guardsmen have been housed in tents at the Kandahar Airfield. But heavy rains in February swept through their wooden-floored quarters. Besides ruining clothing and personal items, the deluge destroyed the laptop computers, cell phones and iPods the soldiers use to stay connected with family and friends back home.

That connection to home is important to the military engineers – some of whom are in the midst of their third deployment in six years. In addition to other technical tasks, the unit is experienced in handling explosives.

To support the soldiers and their families, Harper Corporation underwrote the purchase of 10 new laptop computers equipped with the latest Internet access and shipped them to the unit’s base camp. The computers that arrived March 26 replace some but not all of the damaged laptops. Other donations to cover replacement computers are encouraged and may be sent directly to the Fort Mill National Guard unit.

“All of us at Harper who have read about this National Guard’s work were inspired by their dedication,” said Margie Kluttz, President of Harper Corporation. “We salute their service to our country and hope our donation helps keep them in touch with loved ones and makes their deployment more bearable.” 

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

 A Fortune 500 manufacturer headquartered in the U.S., the customer knew exactly what it wanted: vertical, enclosed units that could store 20- to 40-inch repeat by 100-inch or longer plate sleeves. Also, the storage racks had to be modular, hold at least eight sleeves and offer easy accessibility from either side.

 Because floor space at the customer site was limited, HarperScientific™ craftsmen equipped each unit with heavy-duty casters and securing straps. That way, the enclosures – shielding the sleeves from light sources and normal plate dust -- could be stored away from the printing line then easily moved, unloaded and reloaded by a single operator.

 Delivering the completed storage units proved another challenge. The oversized enclosures shipped fully assembled on their side using special harnessing. At destination, the units were immediately put into use once they were positioned upright.

In producing the custom units, Harper experts relied on many design features already available to the global anilox market from Harper’s SleeveWrak™ family of roll racks. Vertical storage prevents the sleeves from losing shape.

“Our customer was very pleased with the concept, design, quality of construction and overall flexibility of the system – and that is music to our ears,” said Jim Harper, HarperScientific™ Vice President.

 For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The free, all-day event in the Ohio capital will feature eight presentations and offer insights from Harper flexographic insiders and other printing experts. Seminar topics appeal to a wide audience, including print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers, general managers and purchasing personnel.

Opening the morning session will be a discussion of plate and anilox cleaning systems by FlexoWash’s Mike Potter. EIC’s Jeff Tyree will follow with his outline of substrates and ink adhesion procedures.   

Anilox technology takes center stage when Bill Poulson,  Harper’s Northeast  Technical Graphic Advisor, talks about key sleeve care and maintenance procedures. John Bearden of MicroDynamics will discuss his firm’s 3DQC inspection microscope for flexo and gravure printers.     Pacur’s Jack Minton will close the morning portion by reviewing linticular printing techniques for flexo 3D graphics.

After a complimentary lunch, attendees will learn about NX digital plate technology from Kodak’s Doug Weiss. Ken Friedman, The Provident Group, will show how to implement leak-free, clean printing stations.

Seating at the seminar is limited. To register: contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, Ext. 4292; via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.com; online at http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Columbus-OH/45

Attendees listened as Harper experts and presenters from other leading industry suppliers provided overviews on key flexographic techniques and shared solutions of interest to printing managers, supervisors and pressroom staffers.

Topics covered during the free seminar included pressroom standardization, ink adhesion, effective anilox cleaning, methods for enhanced proofing and color management and digital plate technology.

“While the state of our economy is a daily concern, the Carol Stream seminar was a rare opportunity for flexo printers to get away and focus on what steps they can  take to enhance their operations’ efficiency and quality,” said Bill Malm, Harper’s Midwest and West Coast Technical Sales Specialist. “Everyone benefits from the give-and-take at our seminars.”

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Charlotte, NC, August 12, 2010 – Josh Yettaw, an employee of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation for the past three years, has earned promotion to Second Shift Supervisor at the company’s plant here. 

A graduate of Olympic High School in Charlotte, Yettaw’s production/manufacturing career has included five years as a Machine Operator/Quality Inspector at Metal Improvement and service at American Equipment. There, he worked as a Dispatcher/Operations Manager.

After 13 months as an Assembly Mechanic at Harper Machinery (no affiliation with his present firm), Yettaw joined Harper Corporation in December, 2008 as a Superfinish Operator. He was promoted to Production Supervisor in December, 2009. 

“Josh has displayed a no-nonsense, high-energy approach to every task he has undertaken since he joined us,” said Jan Kimble, Employee Relations Manager. “His work perfectly reflects how much value we as a company place on product quality and end-user satisfaction.”

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper, will deliver brief remarks and take part in a panel discussion involving other image carriers. Harper is an industry leader in laser engraved ceramic cylinders for gravure coaters. Its XDI gravure imaged cylinder is ideal for gravure product and cold seal applications.  Donato will discuss where laser engraved ceramic cylinders are applicable and how to utilize and operate a ceramic cylinder.  The Omni Charlotte Hotel will host the conference; a special room rate for attendees ends August 23.  

With its “The Gravure Advantage” theme, the event has scheduled five in-depth technical sessions. In addition to the moderated discussions, attendees can visit table top exhibitions and nightly receptions.  

Other sessions will focus on the relationship between gravure and digital ink jet technologies, web inspection techniques and detailed analysis of gravure trends in North America and Europe moderated by the Flint Group’s Paul Lodewyck.

 For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

In addition to increasing the number of seminars to eight this year, Harper will hold half of them at some of the country’s leading printing equipment manufacturers. The new approach offers seminar attendees the opportunity to view live press demonstrations at host sites.

The series on narrow web OEMs and related technology opens Thursday, March 3, at Mark Andy, Inc., near St. Louis. Narrow web will continue to be the focus at seminars on Thursday, March 24, at Nilpeter USA in Cincinnati and again Tuesday, April 5, at Gallus Inc. in Philadelphia.

Wide web printing techniques will take center stage on Tuesday, April 12, when PCMC/Aquaflex hosts the Harper® Roadshow at its Green Bay, WI complex.

The second half of this year’s schedule will include four additional roadshows starting in late summer and ending in October. Those seminars, featuring Harper technical professionals assisted by leading industry experts, will focus on anilox and other technologies, advice on printing troubleshooting, pre-press and print-room problem-solving and more. The 2011 complete schedule for these Harper roadshows includes:

 Thursday March 3

Chesterfield, MO

Thursday March 24

Cincinnati, OH

Tuesday April 5

Philadelphia, PA

Tuesday April 12

Green Bay, WI

Thursday August 25

Greensboro, NC 

Tuesday September 27 (tentative)

Las Vegas, NV

Tuesday October 4

Worcester, MA

Wednesday October 26

Dallas, TX

Due to limited seating early registration is suggested.  To register, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.comor register online at http://www.harperimage.com/Information-Center/Roadshows

Much of the morning session centered on anilox technology. Started with Mike Potter on anilox cleaning . Bill Poulson, Northeast Technical Graphic Advisor for Harper, suggested ways attendees can upgrade care and maintenance of anilox sleeves. FlexoWash’s Mike Potter spoke on plate and anilox cleaning systems while EIC’s Ron Zessack offered tips on improving substrates and ink adhesion.

Also during the morning, John Bearden of MicroDynamics provided details on his firm’s 3DQC inspection microscope and Jack Minton of Pacur reviewed linticular printing techniques for flexo 3D graphics.

After an hour-long free lunch, attendees heard from Kodak’s Doug Weiss on NX digital plate technology.  Ken Friedman of The Provident Group spoke on creating leak-free, clean printing stations while Bill Poulson, Harper’s Northeast Technical Graphics Advisor, entertained with his special version of Flexo Jeopardy.

For further information, contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

“Technology to the Rescue” is the theme for LabelExpo, set for September 14-16 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in suburban Rosemont, IL. In addition to 23 conference sessions, this year’s show will feature 400 exhibiting vendors, numerous technology workshops and a three-hour digital printing master class.

Highlighting the booth will be a display of various products for anilox care and maintenance and the company’s patent pending Phantom QD™ family of advanced proofing systems. Visitors will see a just released motorized model from HarperScientific™, the firm’s printing and coating supplies division.

The Harper team will deliver briefings on how Harper programs, services, surface technology and engravings can enhance efficient print repeatability and improve profitability. In addition to contracted programs, Harper’s GraphicSolutions™ division offers branded roll trial support, print sample evaluations, WalkingSeminars™, in-house training seminars, graphic team meetings and more. The company’s customized programs routinely deliver a return on investment in just six months.         

Hour-long presentations during LabelExpo will focus on a range of  labeling and printing issues. The agenda includes sessions on advances in branding and brand protection, color management, label life cycle and sustainability, digital web-fed printing advances and extended gamut printing.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

In late August, Harper’s printing and coating supplies division, HarperScientific™, signed a formal distribution agreement with Chemisolutions S.A.S. The Colombia, South America-based firm provides sales and support for performance- and quality-improving chemical compounds used within the graphic arts and plastics industries.

The new agreement provides Chemisolutions with exclusive distribution rights throughout its home country for Ceram Clean II™ and CeramClean Solv-it™ -- two of Harper’s most widely used ink cleaning products. Jose Noel Gomez serves as General Manager of Chemisolutions; he can be contacted at josegomez@chemisolutions.com.co

“Harper distributors add much to our service commitment by providing technical advice and enhancing the everyday supplier/customer relationship,” said Jim Harper, HarperScientific™ Vice President. “Jose Gomez and staff at Chemisolutions are a valued addition; we look forward to working with them.”

Anilox roll cleaner Ceram Clean II™ effectively removes water-based, UV and solvent dried inks from engravings without damaging the cell structure on ceramic and chrome cylinders. The cleaner also removes roll face stains. Harper’s biodegradable CeramClean Solv-it™ is scientifically designed for deep cleaning of solvent-based inks, adhesives and UV coatings. The cleaner is completely free of petroleum distillates.  

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The new Phantom QD™ Motorized unit is the latest addition to Harper’s breakthrough family of quick drawndown proofers – the first in the industry with complete portability and utility-free operation. 

Tony Donato, Harper Product Development Engineer, said the motorized Phantom QD™ unit features a variable speed from 100 to 400 inches per minute and 110-volt power capability. Harper is offering the motorized option on its 800mm table length Phantom QD™.

All Harper QD systems maintain a constant loading pressure between the proofer and the substrate, according to Donato. By adding a motor to drive the proofer over the table length, Harper now has successfully eliminated another process variable.

“This advanced option represents Harper’s intention to make the Phantom QD™ proofing system the most versatile tool in the ink room,” Donato said. All models provide a linearly guided table, a magnetic-loaded doctor blade, quick-change anilox roller and superior repeatability.    

Phantom models are available in a traditional format for water- based and solvent inks where rollers are engraved at a 60-degree hex angle and in a viscous format that is an ideal for thick and metallic inks where rollers are engraved at a 30-degree hex angle.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Seating for the seminar is limited. Registration ends Friday, October 1. To register: contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, Ext. 4292; via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.com; online at  http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Somerset-NJ/46

The tour finale includes nine presentations from Harper flexographic insiders and experts from other respected printing suppliers. Topics are chosen for their appeal to print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers, general managers and purchasing departments.

After a welcoming by Pete Hartman, Harper Vice President of Sales, Kodak’s Doug Weiss will discuss NX digital plate technology. Ken Friedman, of The Provident Group, will follow with a briefing on key elements of doctor blade use. Then FlexoWash’s Mike Potter will discuss plate and anilox cleaning systems.

Ron Zessack of EIC will address ink adhesion and surface tension issues. The morning agenda closes with a perspective on anilox press standardization by Bill Poulson, Northeast Technical Graphics Advisor for Harper, and a detailed look at anilox rolls and high speed presses from Alex James, Harper GraphicSolutions™ Eastern Division Technical Graphics Manager.

Following a complimentary lunch, seminar guests will be briefed by John Bearden of MicroDynamics about his company’s 3DQC inspection microscope for flexo and gravure printers. Jim Wittig of ACTEGA will review the fine points of adhesives and coatings before Bill Poulson leads an entertaining game of Flexo Jeopardy. Attendance is required for door prize eligibility.

For more information, contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, Ext. 4292; via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Donato made extensive use of photos, illustrations, histograms and charts in his presentation on engraved ceramic cylinders in gravure applications. A Harper tabletop display during the Charlotte PLGA conference featured an imaged and fully engraved ceramic cylinder. The highlight was the patent pending Phantom QD™ family of precision ink proofing system showing both, a direct gravure ink proofer and a rubber transfer roller proofer plus a sampling of HarperScientific products.  The QD™ ink proofing system has constant loading pressure over its full stroke.

Donato recapped the general characteristics of ceramic cylinders. These include superior wear resistance enabling the use of tool steel and ceramic tipped doctor blades; the importance of post engraving polishing for substrates and doctor blade wear; that ceramic can be applied over SST and or with corrosion resistant bonds; that ceramic cylinders have specific applications in flood coating of inks, coatings and adhesives and direct product gravure one and two color imaged applications.

The Harper product specialist pointed out that while ceramic cylinders are more expensive than conventional ones, they deliver dramatically extended service life and can be reverse metered with enclosed chambers. Also, the cylinders can be engraved with cells or using TIF file images or patterns. Another key: they accommodate a virtually limitless combination of Lpi and volumes (BCM).

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The three-day event near Chicago is recognized as the largest exposition and conference dedicated to the label, web printing, product decoration, converting and packaging industry.

This year’s show attracted nearly 13,000 visitors -- including a greater than expected turnout among printers based in Latin America.   

“Harper was very happy with the recent LabelExpo Americas,” said Pete Hartman, the company’s VP Sales. “We had steady traffic at our booth and, overall, our customers were very positive about their business outlook for the rest of 2010 and 2011.”

Harper views LabelExpo as an opportunity to reconnect with its narrow web customers, network with co-suppliers and preview products that are new to the market, Hartman said.

The company’s booth showcased a variety of products. Among the company’s Phantom QD™ advanced proofing systems on display was a new-to-the-market motorized version from HarperScientific™, Harper’s printing and coating supplies division.

Special technology workshops, new to LabelExpo this year, drew capacity audiences, according to show organizers. The workshops are likely to become a staple of upcoming shows. Another sign of the event’s success: even before the show’s conclusion, organizers said, 82 percent of exhibition space had been reserved for LabelExpo Americas 2012.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

This year’s Harper seminar tour began in the South in the spring, included several summer visits to Midwest locations and featured well attended sessions on both U.S. coasts. The events focus on an array of flexographic printing issues and practices.

Selected topics appeal to a broad audience – including print managers and supervisors, operators, pre-press managers, designers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers, general managers and purchasing departments.

At the New Jersey finale, opening remarks by Peter Hartman, Harper VP of Sales, were followed by presentations on ink adhesion and surface tension, use of doctor blades, plate and anilox cleaning systems and a review of the 3DQC anilox inspection device.

The morning session ended with a review of anilox press standardization by Bill Poulson, Harper’s Northeast Technical Graphics Advisor, and a look at anilox rolls and high speed presses by Alex James, Eastern Division Technical Graphics Manager at Harper GraphicSolutions.™

Afternoon presentations advised attendees on how to maximize the efficiency of next-generation digital plates and provided a comprehensive analysis of available adhesives and coatings for the flexographic market.

“Harper and our co-sponsoring vendor partners are pleased by the turnout and interest shown at this year’s seminars,” Hartman said. “Besides the obvious networking opportunities, the tour is a reliable source for the latest information on flexo printing; as an industry leader, we view it as an integral part of supporting an expanding industry and the people in it.”

For more information, contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, Ext. 4292; via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Alexander James, Technical Graphics Manager for the Eastern Division of Harper GraphicSolutions™, spoke on the topic “UV Flexo – Today and Tomorrow” and was joined by three other presenters.

In his comments, James pointed to new trends in UV flexographic press technology. He explained how recent innovations can add real value throughout a company’s printing and converting line and illustrated how the UV flexo process can successfully compete with digital approaches.

Juan Bermudez, Harper’s Sales & Service Manager for Latin America, also represented Harper at the label get-together.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Part of a select group of the show’s Featured Exhibitors, Harper will display a Phantom QD™ proofer and discuss the technology behind it at Booth No. 9032. The shows run October 31 to November 3.

CPP Expo is considered the premier event for those manufacturers and suppliers who do business in the converting/package printing market. The event offers a series of technical conferences and many networking opportunities.

Harper introduced its Phantom QD™ Quick Drawdown proofing technology last year. Each Phantom system is equipped with its own pressure loading system. Standard features include a magnetic-loaded doctor blade, quick-change anilox and rubber rollers and roller interchangeability with Echocel™ Junior and Phantom™ hand proofers.

The new system requires no compressed air or electricity for operation. It’s easy to use whenever a draw down ink proof is needed. Recently, the company debuted a motorized version of the proofer. 

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The three-day conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Louisville, KY, features a full agenda of technical presentations supplemented by tabletop exhibits by Harper and many other leading suppliers. The conference’s target audience includes pre-press technicians, press operators, packaging buyers, quality control staffers, graphic designers and suppliers.

In his address, Teufler, Technical Advisor at GraphicSolutions™ division of Harper, will discuss the variety of factors traditionally associated with the problem of “spitting” or drool when using ultra-violet inks.

Also, Teufler will explain what he calls the surprising results and statistical analysis of recent spitting tests he conducted in coordination with FFTA’s Flexo Quality Consortium standing committee.

Malm, Midwest/West Coast Technical Graphics Advisor for Harper, will highlight anilox selection options industry insiders can use to minimize variables and increase the likelihood of success before ever going to press. Standardization, Malm will suggest in his address, is a method to permanently retire the “chemistry set” approach to printing.

Team creation, goal selection, testing criteria, documentation and preparation protocols, he says, will advance the path toward standardization and ultimately reduce set-up times and waste.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

In all, full color instructional and informational video presentations are available to visitors of www.harperimage.com. The brief videos provide detailed advice and “how to” instruction on a range of Harper products and related technology.

Videos have been organized to assist customers in selecting the most appropriate Harper solution for their application. A number of them focus on HarperScientific cleaners including AltraWash Blue™, CeramClean II™, CeramClean Solv-it as well as the company’s SonicWash™ and UV-Releez™ aluminum safe ink cleaners.

Also, a handful of Harper videos talk about selecting the right proofer and using a proofer to optimize production and reduce waste and costs. Included are presentations on correlating anilox on press to proofer rolls, use of the company’s Echocel™ Junior, Phantom™ and Phantom QD™  hand proofers and a “how to” on taking density readings from ink drawdowns.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Held in Boca Raton, FL, the theme of the event – “Changes, Challenges & Strategies for Success” – presented focuses seminars on many issues confronted every day by the North American narrow web tag, label and packaging industry. 

The four-day meeting included 90-minute seminars by committees on learning, marketing and technical subjects. Of special interest was an environmental committee presentation that centered on issues of health, safety and sustainability.

“There’s no denying that the last two years or so have challenged suppliers and converters,” Kissner said. “But talking with other attendees at the TLMI event left me with a sense the industry is looking forward, not backward; there is a confidence about better days ahead.”

Attendees heard from two nationally prominent speakers. Keynoter Dr. Roch Parayre, a fellow at the Wharton School at Penn, discussed how Blue Ocean strategies can be applied to drive innovation and add value within the narrow web converting industry. He detailed the results of research he did specifically for TLMI.

Roger Crawford, a leading authority on development of human potential and overcoming self-imposed limitations, opened the meeting’s first full day of business. Crawford has coached more than 3,000 audiences, drawing on his experiences and new ideas to promote higher levels of personal achievement and success for others.   

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The four-day event, held this year in Myrtle Beach, SC, offered attendees a comprehensive lineup of technical presentations addressing concerns of those in the web coating and vacuum web coating industry. Visitors perused tabletop product displays and took advantage of evening receptions offering business networking opportunities.

In his presentation, Mike Huey, Technical Graphics Manager for the Western Division of Harper GraphicSolutions™, outlined advances in liquid coatings. Key to better coating functionality and economics, he said, are improved measuring and control of coating thickness. Huey was joined at the conference by fellow Harper graphics expert Alex James.

Huey said liquid coatings offer a myriad of functionality issues, among them reaction to microwave heat, light and moisture. “One of the key factors that controls a coatings’ ability to function is thickness of the application,” he said. “Measuring and controlling thickness is crucial for several reasons.”

Most important, he said, is ensuring the coating performs in the intended way. That requires avoiding the use of too much or too little coating. “It becomes a matter of economics,” Huey said. “Why put down four microns if three microns will give you the functionality you are searching for.” The goal: achieving true transfer efficiency based on application weight and mathematics, he told the audience.

Harper used its AIMCAL tabletop display to showcase the latest in its family of completely portable, utility-free proofing system. The new Phantom QD™ Motorized unit operates at variable speeds from 100 to 400 inches per minute with 110-volt power capability. The motorized option is available on Harper’s 800mm table length Phantom QD™.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Laser engraved, the proofer transfer rolls are imaged with a choice of company logo or a centered tone scale of 10, 35, 50 and 75 percent with a 100 percent solid on either side.

A custom imaged proofer roll (from customer-supplied graphic file) is the ideal way to identify ink room proofs to customers. The premise for the tone scaled roll can be used to predict how the mid-tone should be corrected (DGC) for different stocks (substrates). The result: a quick and easy way in prepress to correct for the varying dot gains of different stocks.  

The imaged proofer transfer rolls are available in either a 45 or 55 durometer EPDM.

The imaged transfer roll option adds new functions to HarperScientific’s already versatile Phantom and Phantom QDbladed hand proofers, according to Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper. He said the option will especially benefit companies who print screens with spot colors by indicating how a stock responds to screens and how to cut them back to optimize outcome.

These proofing tools can save flexo printers thousands of dollars by improving production, eliminating downtime and decreasing ink and substrate waste.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The spring 2011 auction will generate scholarships for those individuals interested in pursuing a FIRST ‘Press’ or ‘Prepress’ Operator Certification. The certification program, sponsored by the Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA), is a curriculum composed of multi-level coursed designed and assess specific flexographic skill sets and knowledge via online course study and examinations.

In soliciting auction-worthy donations, FFTA has expressed particular interested in signature items such as press equipment/accessories, ancillary supplies, idle press time and direct mail services. The HarperScientific contribution meshes well with FFTA auction goals.

The Phantom™ Proofer is a precision ink delivery device that incorporates a laser engraved ceramic anilox roll, doctor blade metering and a rubber transfer roll.  This combination lays down a specific amount of ink onto the substrate producing a proof that can be used for density or E measurements. HarperScientific’s donation includes the Phantom proofer assembly, a standard traditional laser-engraved ceramic roll, one 45 or 55 durometer rubber transfer roll, a storage case as well as accessory parts.     

“Support for education initiatives and formal certification within the printing and coating industry is an ongoing interest for us,” said Jim Harper, Vice President of the HarperScientific™ division. “We’re proud to help advance the good work FFTA stands for; we hope the auction will attract all the interest and participation such a worthy event deserves.”

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com. To learn more about FFTA’s online auction, visit www.flexography.org/edutrain/education/online-auction.cfm

Opening the seminar, Bill Malm, Midwest/West Coast Technical Graphic Advisor for Harper, outlined how pressroom standardization offers operators the surest way to eliminate variables and ensure predictable results.

Mike Potter of Flexo Wash followed, focusing on advanced anilox and plate cleaning techniques for today’s environment. Doug Weiss of Kodak gave his views on raising the bar in production. Tesa Tape’s Joe Prunier closed the morning session with his analysis of the role sticky back tape plays in process improvement.

After a complimentary lunch, Kurt Hudson of Actega/WIT provided insights on the strengths and benefits of flexographic printing. Pacur’s Andrew Rodwin discussed techniques for successful lenticular printing on the Nilpeter press. That session served as a perfect lead-in to a 75-minute Nilpeter press demonstration for attendees.

“Nilpeter was delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Harper Corporation for the 2011 Road Show in our technology center in Cincinnati,” said Tom Clawson, Nilpeter Senior Sales Representative. “We were extremely pleased with the response of more than 100 converters and suppliers attending.”

Clawson said the seminar fills an industry need. “These educational sessions are vital in helping converters improve their company operations and press room efficiencies – impacting their overall profitability. Because Nilpeter is also a solutions provider, these events are a perfect fit,” he said.  

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 orjkluttz@harperimage.com

The auction will raise scholarship money for individuals pursuing a FIRST ‘Press’ or ‘Prepress’ Operator Certification. The certification, offered through the Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA), requires completion of a curriculum comprised of online study and exams.

Harper’s contribution of four anilox rollers fits perfectly with FFTA’s desire to feature in the auction signature items such as press equipment/accessories, ancillary supplies, idle press time and direct mail services.

Winning bidder on the Harper entry can select any four base rollers from the company’s Narrow Web stock anilox inventory, with line screens ranging from 200 to 1,000 cells per inch and 60-degree XLT engravings. Delivery is based on Harper’s standard lead time. The anilox rolls are valued at over $10,000. Bids for the rolls will continue into the spring.    

Support for the auction at Harper began in December when HarperScientific™, the company’s printing and coating supplies division, donated a new Phantom™ Proofer System to bid on.

“We have supported education, training and other initiatives that advance our industry for many years,” said Pete Hartman, VP of Sales of Harper Corporation. “Certification is certainly a worthy cause and FFTA a most respected sponsor. We’re happy to play a part.”

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com. To learn more about FFTA’s online auction, visit www.flexography.org/edutrain/education/online-auction.cfm

The 88-pound (40kg) mini lab UV curing unit with its simple controls and ozone-free UV lamp can be operated away from printing and coating lines. It offers a belt and curing width of 6 inch (150mm). Using constant UV lamp power the mini lab unit controls curing dosage by varying belt speed from 16.4 to 229.6 feet per minute (5 to 70 meters per minute).

Included as standard is GEW’s focused dichroic reflectorwith 80W/cm (200W/in). An exhaust fan/on-board cooling system keeps the unit running at peak performance even after many hours of full speed operation.

The mini lab’s 220/240 V 50/60 Hz single phase 13 amp power supply fits with most workplace locations. Available options include in-feed and out-feed sample catching trays,

iron and gallium doped lamps, spare UV cassettes and UV lamps and an inert gas nitrogen atmosphere capsule for inert curing applications.

Tony Donato, Harper Product Development Engineer, said his company’s association with GEW reflects the Harper philosophy of providing customers with tools and Technologies that complements our Phantom family of bladed hand proofers. 

“The combination of Harper ink proofers with GEW’s UV curing unit will increase the productivity of the UV ink techs.  GEW mini laboratory unit will help maximize the number of ink draw downs per shift helping the ink room to deliver press ready inks to the press room on time day after day,” Donato said.        

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The proofer will be auctioned off in an effort to raise money for the FIRST Operator Certification Scholarship Fund. The scholarship money will be awarded to individuals pursuing FIRST press or pre-press certification. Sponsored by the Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association, or FFTA, this certification presents a well-rounded, multi-level curriculum that teaches the skill sets necessary to thrive in the flexographic industry. The auction, which will take place online, is scheduled to begin on February 20, 2012 and end on March 19, 2012 at 5:00 pm CST.

The Phantom™ Proofer provides precision ink delivery through a laser engraved ceramic anilox roll. It also integrates a rubber transfer roll and doctor blade metering. HarperScientific is proud to support the efforts of the FFTA and the educational services that it provides to flexographic professionals.

Anyone looking to donate an item to the auction can visit   http://www.flexography.org/04Education/first_auction.html. Interested individuals can learn more about the auction by contacting Doreen Monteleone at dmonteleone@flexography.org.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com. 

That designation, along with Press and Pre-Press certifications, make up the Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances or FIRST Program. This year’s courses are the fourth edition to be offered by the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) to production workers, supervisory personnel and supplier staff.

Like other FIRST enrollees, staff from the Harper GraphicSolutions division will take part in on-line instruction and examinations via FTA’s sponsored virtual campus. The Implementation Specialist program is geared to benefit suppliers of flexographic products and services and non-production personnel.

Primary focus of LEVEL III Implementation Certification – the highest available – is the recognition of those demonstrating proficiency in executing FIRST principles throughout the entire flexographic workflow. A scientific approach to data use is integral to the course.

In the last three months, Harper showed support for FIRST programs by donating a fully portable Phanton™ Proofing System and four narrow web base anilox rolls to an online auction. Auction proceeds will fund scholarships for deserving certification candidates.

“Certification, training and educational opportunities all add to the knowledge and professionalism that is so essential to growth in our industry,” said Peter Hartman, Harper Vice President, Sales. “These are initiatives we support as much and as frequently as we can.”

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com

An annual showcase for the best printing from the flexographic printing industry, the competition welcomes entries from all flexo printers/converters, print buyers, designers and students from qualified graphics arts schools -- whether FTA members or not.

Malm, Midwest/West Coast Technical Graphics Advisor for the Harper GraphicSolutions™ division, worked with other judges to review and rate wide web line and screen entries on their level of execution. Teachout, Harper Southeast Technical Graphics Advisor, judged entries in the mid web, paperboard and napkin categories based on their degree of difficulty.

Competition judges gathered last month outside New York City to provide blind judging for hundreds of this year’s entries grouped according to 11 categories. These included wide web, mid web, narrow web, paperboard, napkins, combined corrugated, preprinted linerboard, envelope, publications/newspaper, self-promotion and students.      

Award winners will be honored at a Sunday evening banquet during the annual FTA Forum set for Indianapolis, IN, the first week of May. In addition to receiving plaques, winners will be recognized in Flexo® Magazine.      

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Kluttz, grandson of company founders Ron and Katherine Harper and son of current Harper President Margie Kluttz, has worked at Harper for 20 of the company’s 40 years of existence.

In his new position, Kluttz oversees the manufacturing and production of all Harper anilox rolls at the company’s domestic facilities in Charlotte and Green Bay, WI.  Kluttz also audits the firm’s licensed affiliates -- Harper Asia Pacific, Co., Ltd, Thailand and Harper Graphics GmbH, Germany – to ensure global product consistency.

Kluttz joined Harper in 1991, helping in Katherine Harper’s Cleaner Hands division. He has served in various manufacturing departments: as a blast operator, on the Harper GraphicsSolutions™ team, as plant supervisor, manager of customer service and plant manager.

As a member of Harper’s key management leadership team, Kluttz serves on the board of directors.

From its ISO 9001:2008 certified locations, Harper fabricates and restores more anilox rolls than any other manufacturer in the world. Kluttz has been involved in the company’s pioneering use of lasers in anilox roll production.

The company has introduced a variety of “green” manufacturing programs aimed at saving energy, preventing pollution and maximizing raw material use. Harper plants recapture and recycle all production-generated waste – including powder, shavings, wires and consumable parts.     

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The roadshow will feature brief seminars and live press demonstrations on ways to improve production efficiency and exploit the short run advantages of flexo printing compared with other printing approaches.

Harper GraphicSolutions technical specialists at the event will be joined by experts from narrow web printing equipment manufacturer and host Mark Andy Inc., DuPont, Rotometrics, Flxon, Actega/WIT and 3M.  

Morning sessions will explore anilox rolls, inks, blades, dies/cylinders, mounting tape and plates. Ninety minutes have been set aside for viewing press demonstrations at the Mark Andy demonstration room. A complimentary lunch, wrap-up and awarding of door prizes will conclude the roadshow in mid-afternoon.      

This year’s Harper®Roadshow is scheduled for eight stops across the nation. Event subjects are chosen for their appeal to a broad audience in the printing industry: print managers and supervisors, graphic designers, pre-press managers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers, press operators as well as purchasing staff and general managers.

Because space is limited, early registration is suggested. Contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292; fax 704-688-0797; email jkluttz@harperimage.com; online 24/7 at http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Chesterfield-MO/29

Roadshows are free. Companies may send one person or 10 – but seating is limited and early sign-up is encouraged.

Seminar presentations appeal to a broad industry audience. Frequent attendees include print managers and supervisors, graphic designers, pre-press managers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers, press operators, procurement professionals and general managers.

For the Cincinnati show – the second of eight stops on the 2011 circuit -- Harper technical experts will be joined by representatives from FlexoWash, Kodak, Tesa, Actega/WIT and Pacur.

Early sessions will focus on the use and cleaning of anilox rolls, plates, mounting tape, ink and lenticular polymer technology.

After a complimentary lunch, host and narrow web printing equipment maker Nilpeter will conduct a series of press demonstrations for attendees.  Nilpeter is located at 11550 Goldcoast Drive in Cincinnati.    

Contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292; fax 704-688-0797; email jkluttz@harperimage.com; online 24/7 at http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Cincinnati-OH/227

A 34-year printing industry veteran, Poulson is Harper’s Northeast Technical Graphics Advisor. He is a specialist in coatings and custom labeling and serves as a narrow web press trainer. Also, Poulson served as co-chairman of a session devoted to pressroom and production practices during an FTA Forum.

The International Converting Exhibition (ICE) – scheduled April 6 - 8 – will feature three full days of tech presentations focused on web coating, web handling, package printing,  converting processes and quality and measurement issues. More than 250 national and international suppliers will showcase their flexible material converting technologies and services.

Poulson will be part of a final day look at measurement, quality and chemistry concerns in package printing and converting. He will compare the use of chrome rollers to laser engraved ceramic rollers.

“Whether the application is flexographic or gravure, there are considerable benefits to making the conversion from chrome rollers to laser engraved ceramic rollers,” Poulson said in advance of his speech. “There are parameters – volume and surface preparation -- that must be maintained for the ceramic roller.”

The biggest key, according to Poulson, is knowing how chrome and engraved ceramic rollers react to each other. Release characteristics of ceramics are different. But once the variation is calculated, press operators can expect a huge payback in surface wear, he said.

“This longer surface life of these [ceramic] rollers allows a slower wear curve which results in better consistency of coat weight throughout a press run,” Poulson said.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The roadshow generated many positive reviews from attendees. One described it as very informative and educational. Said another: “Very helpful … wish I could have brought the entire press floor with me.” In fact, companies may send many people to the free seminars but seating is limited. Advanced reservations are encouraged.

“Partnering with Harper to host this type of event and tackle the needs of short run printing was a great success,” said Steve Schulte, National Sales Director for Mark Andy. “It was the right place to educate and physically demonstrate how to achieve extremely fast set-ups and changeovers using the latest in-line flexo technology.” 

The Performance Series platform’s redefined work flow and low waste, Schulte pointed out, gives converters the right tools to maintain profitability without investing in completely new work flows such as digital. “The event was a real win-win for Harper, Mark Andy and especially the converters,” he said.

The roadshow featured technical presentations by experts from Harper, Mark Andy and other printing industry leaders. Mark Andy, a respected narrow web printing equipment maker, treated attendees to an hour and a half live press demonstration during the seminar. 

First of eight seminars this year, the Chesterfield event focused on techniques printers can use to improve their production efficiency and realize the short run benefits flexo printing offers that other printing approaches cannot.  

Presentations addressed use of anilox rolls, inks, blades, dies/cylinders, mounting tape and plates. The seminars are organized to appeal to a broad audience, including print managers and supervisors, graphic designers, pre-press managers, ink, plate and pre-press suppliers, press operators, purchasing staff and general managers.

Because seating at the Harper Roadshow is limited, early registration is suggested. For more about upcoming roadshows, contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292; fax 704-688-0797; email jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Privately held Nilpeter is among the world’s leading producers of multiprocess offset, flexographic and digital printing presses for the tag, label and packaging industries. It’s also one of four equipment manufacturers who are hosting free day-long seminars on this year’s series of Harper Roadshows.

A veteran industry executive, Colletta oversees all manufacturing and distribution operations related to the Nilpeter FB Line, including sales/service, marketing, engineering, manufacturing and finance. The Cincinnati main campus hosts the company’s showroom and manufacturing facilities. 

The 40 annual meeting attendees also heard from Mark Cisternino and Joe Tuccitto of the    Flexographic Technical Association. The pair provided an overview and status report on the fourth edition of FTA’s Flexographic & Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerance – or FIRST – Operator Certification Program. 

This year, nearly a dozen Harper Corporation employees are participating in FIRST’s intensive half-year program of instruction leading to their certification as Implementation Specialists. The program also offers Press and Prepress certifications for those successfully completing the online instruction and examination regimen.

In addition to participation by its employees, Harper has donated a proofing system and narrow web base anilox rolls for an online auction to underwrite scholarships for deserving candidates.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

The Harper Phantom QD™ Quick Drawdown Proofer is highlighted in a colorful four-minute video that debuted on You Tube in late March. The video details the broad capabilities and flexibility of the industry’s first fully portable, utility-free ink proofing system.

“This video is the best way we have found to illustrate all the options and capabilities we have engineered into the Phantom QD proofer,” said Jim Harper, Vice President of HarperScientific™, Harper’s printing and coating supplies division. The video is also available on the company’s ww.harperimage.com website.

The presentation covers use of the Phantom QD as a standard flexographic proofer and in gravure proofing. It follows the full proofing cycle -- focusing on how the Phantom’s variable speed drive and constant loading pressure tracking mechanism produce consistent proofs with superior repeatability. Set-up, proofing and tagging, UV curing and proper cleanup techniques are included.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, via e-mail at jkluttz@harperimage.com or to view video simply go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZtEuHDHW8c

Sponsored by the Flexographic Technical Association, INFO*FLEX has become a respected networking event and product showcase. The Annual Forum, with a theme “Setting the Pace for Flexo Packaging Excellence” runs concurrently in the Indiana capital.

HarperScientific™, the firm’s pressroom support supplier, will display the latest ink proofing model – the Harper motorized Phantom QD™. In addition to constant loading pressure, this unit features variable speed: from 15 to 450 inches per minute.  

The patent pending Phantom QD™ proofing system has generated much interest in its initial market release. Available options include a flexo or gravure bladed proofer, imaged transfer rolls, air and electric drive, unwind stand, glass drawdown surface and compatibility with XDI™ engravings.  Phantom QD™ proofers are fully compatible with all HarperScientific proofer rolls.

Also set for display: the expanded laser-executed family of engravings developed by Harper for flexo and gravure use. In all, more than 200 exhibitors have signed up for the INFO*FLEX 2011.

The Annual Forum is expecting a large and varied audience comprised of executives/CEOs, package buyers, CPCs, purchasing and marketing managers, production staffers, technical experts and educators.

Scheduled topics for discussion at the forum include sustainability, emerging flexo trends, lean thinking applications, flexo quality, inks and substrates and the agency’s FIRST operator certification programs.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Alex James, Technical Graphics Manager of Harper GraphicSolutions - Eastern Division, and Tony Donato, Harper Product Development Engineer, staffed the exhibit and answered questions from visitors.

Sustainability was the theme for the two-day Packaging & Label Gravure Association Global event. Attendees heard from a sustainable packaging executive from Wal-Mart Canada. Margie Dana, Print Buyers International founder, delivered the forum’s closing speech. Also, PLGA recognized winners of its 2010 Print Quality competition.

The Harper display included a standard engraved sleeve and a second anilox engraved sleeve using the firm’s XDI (Extreme Digital Image) process. XDI technology is a growing option in one- and two-color gravure printing.    

Introduced last year, the motorized Phantom QD™ brings even more ease of use to a proofer line already known for portability and ease of operation.Harper QD proofing systems maintain a constant loading pressure between the proofer and the substrate.

By adding a motor to drive the proofer over the table length, Harper has eliminated another process variable. The motorized proofer operates at speeds from 100 to 400 inches per minute, with 110-volt power capability. Harper supplies the motorized option on its 800mm table length Phantom QD™.

Phantom models are available in a traditional format for water- based and solvent inks where rollers are engraved at a 60-degree hex angle. A viscous format version is available for thick and metallic inks where rollers are engraved at a 30-degree hex angle.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Approached by Mark Cisternino, President of the FTA, earlier this year about becoming a member of the organizations’ governing Boards, Hartman sat in on his initial board meeting on April 30, 2011 and has since officially taken up his duties as a recognized member of the Board.

"I am honored to be selected for this position," commented Hartman. "I look forward to working with the Boards and to continue pushing the industry to achieve more than ever before." 

The FTA is an organization that is committed to improving the flexographic printing industry. The Board of Directors is tasked with facilitating networking, idea sharing, and the creation of innovative product designs through its initiatives. Comprised of some of the most influential professionals in the industry, the FTAs Board of Directors has long been considered the pulse of the creativity that lies within the field.

Individuals who are invited to sit on these Boards are recognized not only for their success as a professional, but for their unique perspective that will enhance the efforts of the organization. For this reason, Hartman takes the appointment seriously and is dedicated to contributing all that he can to the FTA/FFTA through his new position.

"The industry has been very good to me for the last 41 years," stated Hartman. "I am eager to be able to give something back, to take this chance to participate on the Boards in a way that will truly benefit those working in the field, as previous Board members have done for me."

Hartman looks forward to his future with the FTA & FFTA Boards and is dedicated to bringing exciting innovation to the industry through the creativity and resources offered by his new position.       

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or via email at jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The event, which has become an annual destination for organizations involved in the Flexographic industry, presented a Forum that discussed "Setting the Pace for Flexo Packaging Excellence" and drew a variety of executives, CEOs, buyers, technical experts, educators, and managing professionals. 

Considered an influential contributor to the industry, Harper Corporation was represented by several professionals that answered questions, showcased products, and helped push the industry forward by sharing the innovative processes that the company has developed.   

"INFO*FLEX is something we look forward to every year," commented Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation. "This is a great event because it allows us to network with other professionals in the industry, which always leads to the sharing of ideas and the development of more advanced and efficient products—which are really pushing the industry into the future."

Popular with event participants was the Phantom QD™ proofing system, which features a variety of options, including constant loading pressure, variable speed, a flexo or gravure bladed proofer, imaged transfer rolls, unwind stand, glass drawdown surface, and both air and electric drive. This product is also completely compatible with all proofer rolls offered by HarperScientific.   

Harper Corporation of America is proud to have been a participant at this event and looks forward to future events held by the Flexographic Technical Association.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

An event slated to present the most advanced pressroom techniques and technologies utilized by industry leaders, including the new Gallus ECS 340 “Rock Press,” the Open House will bring together flexographic professionals and allow them to open conversation about the direction in which the industry is headed and the newest innovations that are moving it forward.

Huey will be contributing a presentation entitled “Standardizing your Anilox Inventory for Consistent Profitability.” His discussion will take place on Wednesday, June 15^thbetween 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

In addition to attending presentations made by Huey and other speakers, participants will have the opportunity to meet with industry specialists and learn more about the latest flexographic technologies. All Printing Resources (APR) will also present new prepress, platemaking, proofing, and color management techniques in the Technology Center, which will be open for event participants.

Productivity solutions furnished by leading industry retailers, including 3M, EFI, Epson Proofing Equipment, and EskoArtwork, among others, will also be available for demonstrations.

Hosted by APR, the Open House will run for two days, June 15 and 16, from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm each day. The event will be held at APR Headquarters, which is located at 140 W. Lake Drive, Glendale Heights, Illinois, 60139.

Individuals interested in attending the event should RSVP by calling 800-445-4017 or sending an email to open-house@teamflexo.com.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Company officials announced their investment in innovative production machinery at the  two  ISO 9001:2008 Certified U.S. manufacturing sites. The long-time Harper locations have enabled the company to fabricate and restore more anilox rolls than any other manufacturer in the world.

Upgrading manufacturing technology is integral to Harper’s continuing effort to lower energy use, cut waste, reduce packaging, conserve resources and reduce its overall imprint on the environment.  

“These state-of-the-art production improvements deliver benefits on two fronts,” said Ronald “Lee” Harper Kluttz, Harper Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. “First, we enhance the efficiency of how we produce anilox rolls. Second, we advance the sustainability goals that Harper has long supported.”

Over the years, Harper has introduced many “green” manufacturing programs – all aimed at  saving energy, preventing pollution and maximizing raw material use. Its ambitious recycling program includes recapture of all production-generated waste – including powder, shavings, wires and consumable parts.    

For more information, contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292; fax 704-688-0797; email jkluttz@harperimage.com

“We are excited to make this announcement,” commented Tony Donato, a Product Development Engineer at Harper Corporation, “because it means to our high volume customers that we can pass on the savings that come from the larger package. Our company is committed to client satisfaction and believes this new packaging option is a win-win for our customers and for Harper.”

Aimed at helping customers save on the per gallon cost of these products, HarperScientific now carries 1,000 liter totes of CeramClean Solv-it™, Altra-Wash™ Green, Altra-Wash™ Blue, and UV-Releez™. By offering this new option, HarperScientific is also keeping up with industry trends and rewarding its large volume customers.

One of the main motivations behind this new development is to increase the economies of scale of the HarperScientific products. This increase in volume will allow the company to continue to be an industry leader while also catering to the needs of its customers.     

“This is the direction in which we want to take HarperScientific,” stated Donato. “We want it to be known for selling high volumes of products at great per gallon prices.”

The new packaging option will also decrease the shipping footprint for the total quantity being shipped, reduce the storage footprint, and decrease the number packages to recycle to one from five.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

TRI de Guatemala has been Harper Corporation’s exclusive agent for the past 16 years. The business relationship that Harper Corporation has built with TRI is one of the first that Harper initiated with international distributors, making TRI and Harper Corporation’s long-lasting working relationship highly valuable to both companies.

Juan Bermúdez, the Sales and Service Manager for the Latin American division of Harper Corporation, recently congratulated TRI by honoring Francisco Aguirre, the company’s president, with a plaque recognizing TRI’s success in the flexographic industry.

“Our relationship with TRI is one that we value greatly,” commented Bermúdez. “After years of cultivating a very positive, profitable, and advantageous relationship with the company, we are still very pleased with the decision to make TRI an exclusive agent.”

TRI has worked alongside Harper Corporation for the last sixteen years, providing Harper’s products to its Latin American clients. TRI also provides the services needed to maintain these products and works diligently to uphold the integrity that Harper Corporation is founded upon.

Harper Corporation congratulates TRI de Guatemala, S.A. on 25 years of success and is looking forward to the future as the two companies continue to work together to provide high quality flexographic products to customers in Latin America.    

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

A leading name in the flexographic industry, Harper Corporation of America was approached to become involved with this new educational institution. The donation will improve the education available at the new school, as utilizing the leading technology will allow students to learn the skills they need to succeed in today’s market.

Additionally, Harper Corporation has made this donation as an investment in the future of the industry, one that will help forge working relationships between Harper Corporation and the newest professionals in the flexographic field.

“We are excited that the new school looked to us to provide these supplies, as it indicates the importance of Harper Corporation to the industry as a whole,” commented Juan Bermúdez, the Sales and Service Manager for the Latin American division of Harper Corporation. “Not only will this donation allow Harper Corporation to contribute to the development of the flexo education in Mexico, it will allow us to gain a higher level of international recognition and work to build relationships with the students that they can count on when they graduate and embark on their careers.”

Harper Corporation is also excited about this donation because it allows the company to work more closely with the members of ACOBAN and CONALEP, two important associations in the field.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Held on July 13 and 14, 2011 in San Salvador, El Salvador, the Asiplastic Conference was attended by over 300 flexographic converters and suppliers, which is a record turnout for the event.

Harper Corporation’s Juan Bermúdez, who is the Sales and Service Manager for Latin America, gave a presentation concerning the anilox roll selection for new pre-press technologies.

“Helping the flexographers to determine the best anilox specification for the new pre-press technologies, allows them to take advantage of the benefits that those technologies provides”, commented Bermúdez.

Bermúdez’s presentation, which lasted for 45 minutes, was well received by conference attendees.

In addition to this presentation, Harper Corporation contributed to the event with an active tabletop, which spoke largely to questions about XLT anilox technology and HarperScientific products.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The TLMI Technical Conference is held bi-annually in Chicago, Illinois. The conference provides industry professionals with a highly regarded event during which they can network within their field, access cutting-edge table top exhibits, and participate in presentations and workshops led by both peers and experts. The information that is shared during TLMI Technical Conferences is important to the growth of the industry as a whole, as it promotes innovation and provides a venue in which industry professionals can discuss new products and techniques.

The 2011 Conference will be held September 6-8, 2011. As an event that attracts large amounts of industry leaders, the Conference requires a great deal of planning, which is why co-chairs are announced two years before their event takes place.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve the industry,” commented Kissner, “and look forward to this challenge.”

Serving alongside Kissner as 2013 Conference co-chairs are Wade Fouts, from Wilson Manufacturing, and Michelle Shaieb, from Whitlam Label Company.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The Harper Roadshow will present several seminars concerning the most relevant topics in today's industry, including: Standardization, Anilox Cleaning, Flexo Plates, Measurement Systems, Mounting Tapes, and Inks and Coatings. These classes will be presented by industry leaders, including Paul Teachout from Harper Corporation, Johnny Stamey from Daetwyler, Mike Potter from FlexoWash, Tom Cossano from MacDermid, Larry Goldberg from Beta Industries, David Watson from Tesa Tape, and Kurt Hudson from Actega WIT.

The Harper Roadshow has already been well-received in four other cities, including Chesterfield, Missouri; Cincinnati, Ohio; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After the Greensboro event the Roadshow will continue on to Worcester, Massachusetts on September 4 and Dallas, Texas on September 26, where the Harper GraphicSolutions Division will continue to share the highlights of today's flexographic industry.

Held at the Holiday Inn on Burnt Poplar Road, the event is free to flexographic professionals and is currently open for registration. Lunch will be provided by several sponsors, including Harper, Daetwyler, FlexoWash, MacDermid, Beta Industries, tesa tape, Inc, and Actega WIT.    

Attendees are also invited to participate in a door prize event at the end of the day. Space is limited, so interested professionals are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

The address for the venue is 6426 Burnt Poplar Road, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27409.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com. Registration can also be completed online at http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Greensboro-NC/230

The Roadshow will provide a variety of information, including numerous seminars that will speak to the new technologies and practices of the industry. Over the course of the event, participants will have the opportunity to attend classes concerning: standardization, anilox cleaning, flexo plates, mounting tapes, inks and coatings, and measurement systems.

Each class will be presented by leading professionals in the flexographic industry, including: Paul Teachout from Harper Corporation, Johnny Stamey from Daetwyler, Mike Potter from FlexoWash, Tom Cassano from MacDermid, Larry Goldberg from Beta Industries, David Watson from Tesa Tape, and Kurt Hudson from Actega WIT.

The Harper Roadshow is a national event that has already taken place in Chesterfield, Missouri; Cincinnati, Ohio; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After presenting its valuable information at the Greensboro event, the Roadshow will also take place in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 4 and Dallas, Texas on September 26.

The event is free and includes lunch. Interested professionals are encouraged to register soon, as it will take place next week.     

The Roadshow will be held at the Holiday Inn on 6426 Burnt Poplar Road, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27409.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com. Registration can also be completed online at http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Greensboro-NC/230

On June 17 and 22, 2011, eight Harper Corporation professionals from North Carolina attended the CPCC class. An additional 10 employees from the Green Bay, Wisconsin location attended a similar class at Fox Valley Technical College on August 8 and 15, 2011. These classes are small, ensuring that every student is able to participate in an environment that is conducive to hands-on learning.

The Flexographic Concepts class is eight hours long and guides students through the flexographic process, from conception to printing. Students enrolled in the class are given an overview of the industry and instructed how to make and mount plates, set up a press, run two jobs, and clean the area after a project is complete. Additionally, students are able to ask the experienced instructors any questions they may have about the process.

Offered by the Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology staff, the Flexographic Concepts class has provided many Harper Corporation employees with the practical experience and hands-on training they need to improve the overall efficiency of the company.  

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Labelexpo Europe 2011, one of the largest events of its kind in the flexographic industry, features over 500 exhibitors and will take place on September 28 thru October 1 at the Brussels Exhibition Centre.

Over the course of the event, participants will explore and discover Harper’s  latest offerings, including the most cutting edge anilox roll technology, HarperScientific’s patent pending Phantom QD™ motorized ink proofing system with a wide range of its accessories including proofer roll stand, Flexo and Gravure QD proofers, tonal scale rubber rolls and XDI imaged .

The following link is to the Phantom QD™ available features video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZtEuHDHW8c&feature=related.

You can find additional information at www.harperimage.comthen click the HarperScientific tab and follow the tabs to the proofers.

Harper Graphics GmbH will occupy booth number 11Q50 they and Harper Corporation of America will have representatives to answer any and all questions.

Visit www.labelexpo-europe.com to learn more about the event, its exhibits and sponsors, registration, and travel accommodations.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The audit tested Charlotte’s conformity to the ISO9001:2008 standard, which pertains to the quality and consistency of the work performed at the location.

“Having passed four consecutive ISO audits without any findings is something that the Charlotte location should be exceedingly proud of,” commented Harper Corporation’s Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Lee Kluttz. “This accomplishment further exemplifies the dedication that Harper Corporation has to providing the best flexographic resources to its clients.”

Harper Corporation of America recognizes the fact that the professionalism and industry knowledge of its staff contributed largely to this accomplishment. The company’s Corporate Quality Assurance Manager, Ben Carter, has thanked those that were involved with the audit and looks forward to the strides Harper Corporation will continue to make pertaining to the quality of its products and its customer service.

This wonderful accomplishment does not mean that Harper Corporation will rest on its laurels; on the contrary, the company plans to locate any non-conformances that the audit overlooked and will incorporate the appropriate recommendations to ensure that the quality that Harper Corporation has become known for remains higher than ever.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The 2011 Harper Roadshow presents its participants with a day of demonstrations and classes that discuss the topics that are relevant to the present and the future of the flexographic industry. Those that attend the Worcester, Massachusetts, Roadshow will discuss a diverse list of topics, including anilox standardization, the reduction of change overtime and waste rates, ink viscosity instrumentation, ink adhesion to films, the care and maintenance of anilox rollers, common flexographic printing problems and their solutions, and plate mounting tapes.

Harper Corporation of America is proud of the many speakers that will be leading the Roadshow, including: Alex James, HGS Eastern Manager; Bill Poulson, from Harper Corporation; Mark Johnson, from Flxon; Robert Norcross, from Norcross; Kurt Hudson, from Actega/WIT; Jeff Paduano, from ARCS; Doug Weiss, from Kodak; and Joe Prunier, from Tesa Tape.

Participants at the 2011 Harper Corporation Roadshow will be provided with lunch, which will be sponsored by Harper Corporation, Flxon, Norcorss, Actega/WIT, ARCS, Kodak, and Tesa Tapes.

The Roadshow will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 35 Major Taylor Boulevard in Worcester, Massachusetts, 01608. Attendees can reach the hotel at (508) 753-5700.

Following the Worcester, Massachusetts, Roadshow will be the final Harper Roadshow of the year, located in Dallas, Texas, on October 26, 2011. 

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com. To register online, visit http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Worcester-MA/234.

This enhanced product builds on previous designs, and the newest SleeveWrak™ can hold up to 70 sleeves. Built with three layers, each capable of storing 20 to 26 sleeves individually, this system provides users with the ability to adjust the sleeve guides. The guides can be spaced as needed to accommodate different repeat print sleeves or can be evenly spaced to store Anilox sleeves. Unit pictured is set-up for 66 sleeves.

In addition on being a flexible narrow web sleeve storage system, the SleeveWrak™ is also compact enough to be integrated into the workflow of any shop. At 30” by 80” and set on castors, the rack can be easily maneuvered. Additionally, the decks are padded with rubber to prevent chipping on the edges of the Anilox sleeves that are stored.

“This configuration of SleeveWrak™ will give Harper Corporation’s customers the ability to store their sleeves to enhance their workflow,” commented Tony Donato, the Product Development Engineer for Harper Corporation of America. “Because the product is easy to move and provides a great deal of flexibility, it will quickly become an important element in the flexographic process for its users.”

This version of SleeveWrak™ is ideal for sleeve presses, such as the Gallus EM340S, EM410S, and EM510S, as well as the Nilpeter FA series of presses.     

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Called "Color in Focus," this event's tabletop exhibition will provide participants with the ability to meet face to face with some of the industry's most innovative color management professionals.

In addition to having a tabletop at which event goers can meet with the company's color management professionals, Harper Corporation of America will be represented by Sean Teufler, the Technical Graphic Adviser of Harper GraphicSolutions. Teufler will be giving a presentation entitled, "Final Analysis: FQC UV Ink Spitting Project," on Wednesday, October 12.

Teufler's presentation will discuss the issue of UV ink spitting, which is a phenomenon that has plagued flexographic professionals for generations. A study, assembled by the FQC, has researched and analyzed UV ink spitting and has made some important recommendations pertaining to eliminating this phenomenon. These recommendations will be discussed during Teufler's presentation and are important to all members of the flexographic industry.

Color in Focus will take place on October 10-12, 2011 at the Marriot Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri. Registration is now open and interested individuals are encouraged to register soon, as the event is quickly approaching.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The 2011 Harper Roadshow provides event goers with a variety of activities and seminars, ranging from presentations on top flexographic interests to a door prize event at the end of the day. This year, participants in the Dallas event will discover new industry developments on the following topics: Standardization, Setting the Table for Success; Pressroom Color Consistency; Doctor Blades; Anilox and Plate Cleaning in Today's Environment; Raising the Bar; UV Inks; Stickyback and Process Improvement; and Absolute Color Management with On-Press Spectrophotometer.  

The speakers who will be presenting the seminars are some of the leaders in the flexographic industry, including: Sean Teufler, from Harper Corporation; Moe Rahmeh, from Sun Chemical; Johnny Stamey, from Daetwyler; Mike Potter, from FlexoWash; Bob Sutton, from Kodak; Dean Radford, from Environmental Inks and Coatings; Joe Prunier, from tesa Tape; and Windell McGill, from Advance Vision Tech.  

The Roadshow will take place at the Hampton Inn & Suites at 1700 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite, Texas, 75149. For more information about the hotel, participants can call 972-329-3100.

This free event will fill up quickly, so interested flexographic professionals are encouraged to register soon.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com. To register online, visit http://www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Dallas-TX/235

Andina-Pack 2011 is known as one of the most prestigious events in the flexographic industry. The upcoming exhibition will allow industry professionals to discuss and discover integrated solutions for product management that are both competitive and sustainable.

This, the eleventh Andina-Pack event, will host over 700 exhibitors and 20,000 participants. Bermudez will be addressing participants concerning the anilox selection for high definition plate technologies, a topic that will prove both relevant and interesting to many of the event’s guests.

In addition to having its own presence in the form of a booth and Bermudez’s speech, Harper will be represented by its exclusive Colombian distributor, Chemisolutions. With representatives onsite at the Harper Corporation tabletop, Chemisolutions will be able to answer any questions that the event’s attendees may have.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The Phantom QD™ motorized flatbed proofing system is a cutting-edge ink proofer, available in a Flexo or Gravure version. Harper Corporation was proud to share it and all its features with the hundreds of attendees who stopped by the booth. This ground-breaking tool generated a great deal of attention and discussion at the event.

The Phantom QD™ comes with a list of standard features, including: constant loading pressure, portability, magnetically loaded Doctor Blade, glass surface, hard coated finish, quick change anilox rollers, a solid handle without a spring, a snap-in blade holder, and interchangeable anilox and rubber rolls, among others.

Because of its innovative design and competitive price, the Phantom QD™ ink proofing system has achieved a shift in the flexographic industry. With its ease of operation and repeatability, this product has been able to change the way that industry professionals approach ink and press room efficiency.  

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

Titled "Today's Anilox Roll Technology," Teachout's presentation focused on how folding cartons are important in the field of flexographic printing. He also spoke to the selection, care, maintenance, and measuring practices involved in running a successful flexographic organization.

Because the industry is constantly evolving, due to the generation of more efficient, convenient, and effective technology and processes, it is important that flexographic professionals remain educated about the latest products and techniques to be incorporated into the field. Harper Corporation of America, through its participation in conferences, exhibitions, and seminars year-round, is a leader in the education of industry professionals and the drive to ensure that all members of the field are up to date on the latest technology.

Teachout's presentation took place on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at the Sonoco Institute at Clemson University. A free event, the Folding Carton Seminar is one of the many innovative industry events that pushes the envelope in terms of what the flexographic field can achieve.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and show the company's dedication to the idea, Harper Corporation has signed on as a Silver Patron. Additionally, the company has adopted initiatives to reflect the importance it places on going green, such as recycling programs and a four-day work week, which has created a 20 percent decrease in the miles that employees log for weekly commutes. Furthermore, production procedures have been updated to decrease pollution, reduce energy use, and limit the amount of raw materials needed to produce products.

"We are pleased to announce our support of the SGP," commented Lee Kluttz, Vice President of Operations at Harper Corporation. "Our commitment to moving towards sustainability is important to us, and this is a way in which we can help guide the industry toward a more environmentally friendly future."

Harper Corporation of America has done a great deal to promote sustainability thus far, but it is certainly continuing to develop more environmentally friendly processes. Currently, it sells a selection of biodegradable products and is in the midst of developing environmentally friendly cleaning materials.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

The grandson of company founders, Ron and Katherine Harper, Kluttz is the son of Harper President Margie Kluttz. He has worked for Harper Corporation of America for 20 years, since 1991, serving as an important part of the professional team.

"My passion, vision, goal, and focus are to continue to build on the well-deserved legacy of the Harper name," commented Kluttz. "We will stay focused on the ideals of the founders, Ron and Katherine Harper, by continuing to supply leading products and quality services to our customers and the industry." 

When he first began his career at Harper Corporation, Kluttz worked in the Cleaner Hands division. He has since been a part of several other departments and held a variety of positions, including blast operator, member of Harper GraphicSolutions™, plant supervisor, customer service manager, plant manager, and Vice President of Manufacturing Operations.

In his new position, Kluttz will be responsible for the daily operations of Harper Corporation in both Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Harper Corporation of America is a leader in the flexographic industry, as it produces and restores more anilox rolls than any other company. Through this promotion, Kluttz will further contribute to the success of the company while expanding its capabilities. He has already participated in Harper Corporation's ground-breaking use of lasers during the production of anilox rolls, and will be an important figure as the company continues to create innovative, green products.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com. 

The Implementation Specialist exam is the culmination of seven months of weekly lectures and tests. The exam itself is made up of 100 timed questions and five individual essay questions that test professionals on the skills they have learned during FIRST training.

Implementation Specialist certification is the highest level of certification offered by the Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association. This degree of study requires professionals to exhibit their understanding of FIRST specifications, including: the achievement of optimal consistency and color and tone accuracy; the cultivation of clear communication with both internal and external team members; the development of workflow teams; the management of package and product development teams; the optimization of workflow productivity; the performance of print evaluations; the creation of documentation procedures; and the compliance of all elements of the workroom with FIRST methodology.  

Harper Corporation of America is grateful for the dedication and hard work that its Harper GraphicSolutions team has devoted to the field, and earning the designation of Implementation Specialists illustrates the talent, experience, and impressive capabilities possessed by Harper Corporation's professionals. As the first and only manufacturer of anilox rolls whose professionals have achieved this prestigious designation, Harper Corporation is proud to be a leader in the flexographic industry.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com. 

Participants were invited to share in welcoming comments, a series of classes targeting the most important issues faced by today's flexographic professionals, lunch, and door prizes. The classes discussed a variety of topics, and included: Standardization, Setting the Table for Success; Pressroom Color Consistency; Doctor Blades; Anilox & Plate Cleaning in Today's Environment; Raising the Bar; UV Inks; Stickyback and Process Improvement; and Absolute Color Management with On-Press Spectrophotometer.

The event maintained a balance between educational information and networking opportunities. While classes brought professionals together to consider some of the most pressing industry-related topics, door prize activities allowed participants to intermingle and get to know their colleagues. For Bruce Broyles from Nosco, who was the lucky winner of a new Asus EEE Pad Transformer Tablet, the door prize event was especially exciting.

The 2011 Roadshow incorporated educational and industry networking opportunities, sharing relevant, ground-breaking information with flexographic professionals across the country. A free event, the Harper Roadshow is one of the many ways in which Harper Corporation of America contributes to the innovation of the flexographic industry.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Located in Burlington, Ontario, Canflexographics has become an important contact for Harper Corporation, as the two companies have both worked toward moving the flexographic industry forward with innovative products and high quality customer service.

Mr. Kelly Roberts has been the President and CEO of Canflexographics for eight years, and he is indeed proud to celebrate this milestone with his team and his colleagues in the flexographic industry.

"We continue to research and partner with global organizations," commented Roberts, "which allows us the opportunity to provide exclusive access to superior innovations and technologies that will continually advance our industry. Our team looks forward to opportunities that lie ahead in expanding the business further, while continuing to provide high quality support and proven solutions to our Canadian clients."

Harper Corporation of America is proud to have Canflexographics as an agent and congratulates the company on its success.   

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

Teachout looks forward to starting the new year in this position, which will require him to oversee the satisfaction and technical needs of Harper Corporation's customers. As the Technical OEM Accounts Manager, Teachout will be accountable for all press OEM sales and for building and maintaining positive relationships with clients. Through his work, he will enhance the value of services that Harper GraphicSolutions offers. Furthermore, he will increase the opportunities and exposure that the Harper GraphicSolutions team is able to utilize to continue to build and develop the Harper name.

Harper Corporation of America has, since its foundation, built itself up to be a single source solution provider for client needs spanning prepress to printed product initiatives. With over 23 years of experience in press OEM product development, as well as his experience during the last 4 years as the South Eastern Technical Advisor for Harper GraphicSolutions, Teachout will continue to contribute to the success that Harper Corporation achieves.    

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

CeramClean II is an anilox roll cleaner designed to remove water-based, solvent, and UV inks. Additionally, the cleaner can remove stains and target specific contaminants that machine cleaners leave behind. Safe for gravure and chrome cylinders, CeramClean II is available in three formulas: original, paste, and pourable.

To date, CeramClean II has been offered in two packs, eight packs, five gallon containers, and drums. The addition of a one gallon tub option will allow HarperScientific's green-minded customers to purchase the same amount of cleaner as provided by the eight pack, with less packaging. The new one gallon option reduces the packaging materials and decreases the overall weight of the product by 10 percent.

Customers who purchase the one gallon tub, rather than the eight pack, will enjoy a reduction in shipping weight and disposal displacement (due to the fact that the product is contained in one package, rather than eight). Additionally, HarperScientific is offering an 11 percent price reduction on the one gallon tub to promote its use in creating a greener work environment. The tub features an open top design and easily resealed lid, allowing for ease of use. 

For additional information or to place an order, please contact us at 866-588-8686 Toll Free, US & Canada, 704-588-3371, Local & Intl or visit our webpage at http://www.harperimage.com/HarperScientific/Ceram-Clean-ll/product-10

The theme is "The Keys to Gravure's Success" and the Operational Conference topics cover: Facing Today’s and Tomorrow’s Workforce Issues on the Factory Floor, Emerging Technologies, Implementing Process Improvement in Your Operations, The Package Printing Process – Then, Now, and the Future, and Print quality awards. 

The 2012 PLGA Conference will take place at the Miami Marriot Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. To register, please contact PLGA or visit their website at www.plga.com.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com. 

The promotion, which was effective January 1, 2012, makes James responsible for the strategic and technical direction of the Harper GraphicSolutions division. This division of Harper Corporation provides customers with technical solutions, tools, systems, and training. Through his work, James will uphold the mission "to improve plant efficiency, overcome any print limitations, expand market reach, and increase the quality and profitability of our customer's work." Within his new position, James will continue to provide technical support to Latin America and will facilitate the communication between the GraphicSolutions team and international partners. He will also communicate directly with key accounts.

James has been a part of the Harper family for over eight years and has worked in the graphics communication industry for over twenty years. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, James also has a master's degree from Clemson University's Graphic Communications program.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com.