Label Academy to have first graduates

Industry representatives from across the board responded positively to the launch of the Label Academy at Labelexpo Americas 2014, and it has gone on to commission a number of education modules and online examinations.

The Label Academy has been endorsed by industry associations FINAT, TLMI and LMAI. It is not intended to replace existing industry education schemes, but to complement them with qualifications which are recognized anywhere in the world.

Structured as a series of self-study modules, Label Academy combines free access to a detailed synopsis, relevant articles and videos with paid text books. After completing studies, students can take an online exam and gain a certificate.

Speaking during that launch presentation, industry expert Mike Fairley, who founded Labels & Labeling magazine and has been central to the development of Label Academy, outlined conversations he has had with suppliers and converters on the subject of education in the industry, with both groups expressing their desire to see an initiative such as Label Academy come about.

Suppliers, Fairley said, see the opportunity to streamline the education of new staff through relevant modules to provide them with a core understanding of technologies before getting hands-on as part of their training and induction.

Converters, meanwhile, see Label Academy as a tangible asset for appraising their staff, as well as the opportunity to extend knowledge and understanding across their businesses, from sales and ordering to top-level management.

Fairley said: ‘Converters are looking at buying and investing in the whole series of textbooks so their employees don’t have to make the investment personally, and with a Kindle option they have the chance to educate themselves outside of the office.

‘Companies see it as a worthwhile investment to build a better knowledge base among their staff.’

Modules

Label Academy has introduced Label Design and Origination: Repro and Prepress Processes, a new educational module that examines the ‘complex’ design to print process.

The Label Design and Origination: Repro and Pre-press Processes course textbook has been written by John Morton and Robert Shimmin, and examines the developments that have taken place in the pre-press arena and explores in detail the progress of a typical label job from design rough through to its arrival on the printing press.

The book provides a comprehensive insight into all these stages, helping eliminate the opportunities for mistakes that could add unnecessary costs to a design project. Topics covered include design and origination; preparation for printing; proofing; pre-press output; and supply chain issues.

‘What will become clear to the reader is that the design to print process is still very complex and that there are many stages to ensuring that the final printed label meets the expectations of the brand owner,’ said Morton, who has hands-on experience of all the major printing processes and has held operational and technical development roles at director level in the packaging sector.

‘Excellent communication and co-operation between the designer, printer and brand owner are an important and essential element in delivering a successful result and supply,’ he added.

Shimmin has held senior marketing and business development positions in the print, packaging and label sector spanning more than 20 years. He is a regular contributor of articles to the print and packaging trade press, and has supported initiatives that seek to build awareness of the latest research and innovations emanating from UK universities.

The Label Design and Origination course textbook is available from Amazon and the associated exam can be taken from the Label Academy website, www.label-academy.com.

Other modules already available include Digital label and package printing, Conventional label printing processes, and Environmental performance and sustainable labeling. Upcoming modules are to cover substrates, inks, tooling and brand protection.