MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY RECEIVES $178,000 GRANT
FOR FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING EDUCATION

MILLERSVILLE, Pa., March 6, 2008 - The Foundation of the Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA) recently approved a grant to assist Millersville University of Pennsylvania’s industry and technology department.  This matching funds grant is for $178,000 with 28% coming from the University, 22% from the FFTA and 50% raised from industry sponsors.  The money will be used to purchase a Mark Andy printing/converting system to launch a hands-on flexographic printing and packaging curriculum.

“Flexography is a method of printing most commonly used in the creation of packaging solutions,” explained Dr. Mark Snyder, industry and technology at Millersville.  “’Flexo’ has an advantage over other printing methods in that it can use a wider range of inks and is good at printing on a variety of different materials. Typical products printed using flexography include corrugated boxes, flexible packaging, retail bags, shopping sacks, flexible plastics, self-adhesive labels and wallpaper. A number of newspapers now also favor flexo printing methods.”

The graphic communication program in industry and technology at Millersville includes students from across Pennsylvania and nearby states. “This new equipment will give the students a broader perspective of the printing industry – hands-on techniques, and an understanding of a completely different process,” says Snyder. “There are a lot of opportunities for young people from this region in printing and packaging.”

In order to be eligible for this grant, schools must have an existing printing program and a desire to expand their curriculum to include flexography. The main industry champion for Millersville University was the Northeast Label Manufacturers Association (NELMA) who made a $10,000 donation.  Snyder will report on the installation of the new press and the development of the flexo curriculum at NELMA’s annual Expo and Networking Conference on May 8 in Bridgewater, N.J.

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For more info about the Flexo in Education program, visit the FTA website at www.flexography.org/edutrain/education/edu_program.cfm or contact Shelley Rubin at srubin@flexography.org.

For more information on NELMA or to register for the NELMA Expo and Networking Conference, please go to www.nelma.net or contact Teresa Miller at 610-873-0150 or tmiller@keebar.com.

For more information on the Millersville University Department of Industry and Technology, contact Mark Snyder at mark.snyder@millersville.edu. 

Media Contact:
Janet Kacskos, APR
Director of Communications
Millersville University
717/872-3723 - office
717/368-2502 - cell
Janet.kacskos@millersville.edu

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