Nano Print Plus

February 10, 2013

Over 100 students of Clemson University learn process colour screen printing on Nano-Print Plus!

What is your present role in the University?

I taught high school for 18 years before I came to Clemson University. I got interested in graphics in 1967 when I got a job as a photographer and lab manager with a local newspaper in the Washington DC area. I am one of 10 instructors in our department.

I teach a sophomore (second year of a 4 year degree) level course that includes a screen printed 4 color separation and a litho 2 color job. The color separation my students do (see samples) is only the second screen printing job they have ever undertaken!

What is the course structure?

 We cover all areas of screen printing applications. Infrastructure-wise, we have 2 T- shirt printing presses, and 4 semi- automatic presses for flat work. The program started as a means to teach high school teachers printing technology. It changed into a degree for graphics because industry people said they needed college educated people in graphics. Graduates go into sales, customer relations, advertising, print buyers, technical sales and owners of their own company! Our curriculum also includes a class in “functional” printing. We teach, and students produce, screen printed circuit boards, membrane switches and electroluminescent displays.

They are being placed in all sorts of companies. Even if they may not be employed by screen printing companies per se,we think that their experience in all the printing methods makes them more employable.

Your strong message to Indian printing institutes:

I think that some areas of screen printing will never decline because of the nature of the process and ink delivery. Functional screen printing is certainly growing as research develops new uses for screen printing beside “pretty graphics.”

Screen printing is a technology- oriented printing process, hence we teach the very technical side, as well as the management and marketing side. Our students go

Why did you choose this machine?

International screen printing expert, Michel Caza introduced us to the Grafica line of presses and their DMI institute during our visit to Grafica’s stall at SGIA 2012 show in Las Vegas.

Feature-wise we also liked it; no tilt to the screen so ink does not run down to one end, no need for air system, size of the press and the print area and safety features.

How many students are being trained on nano-print plus?

About 100 a year will have the opportunity to use the press. The rest will run the other flatbed screen presses. The students will print color separations on nano- print plus. In my class they do their second year in screen.

When did you install nano- print plus?

The nano-print plus was installed in December 21st 2012. We started using it in January 2013.

printing project as a part of their 4 year degree, and the project is their first color separation.

After the training where these pupils are employed?

into so many aspects of the industry, and we believe that the hands-on approach is best for them to be managers of people who actually run the presses.

Here is a great lesson for all printing institutes in India who just teach the out-dated method of screen printing process.

The Department of Graphic Communications, Clemson University, USA has installed Grafica’s nano-print plus few months ago to teach advanced process colour screen printing and colour separation techniques. Founded by Thomas Green Clemson, Clemson University said to be ranked as the 25th best national public university. Its graphic communications department’s philosophy centers on a unique ideal of hands-on learning. The students here experience equipment, theories, and problem solving.

An online interview with Patrick Rose, Senior Lecturer, Graphic Communications Department, Clemson University.