Printech Program

Graphic Arts from the Paper Point of View
A Hands-On Seminar and Workshop for Printing Paper Salespeople, Customer Service Representatives, and their Managers

Upcoming Programs:

Printech 2008 West March 19-21, 2008	Graphic Communication Institute California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California
Printech 2008 East November 12-14, 2008	Printing Industries of America Graphic Arts Technical Foundation Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Click here to download the registration form.

Why Attend?

Printing is part art…part science. The more you know about the process, the more successful you will be, whether you are in sales, customer service or management. Printech 2008 is a robust, three-day workshop designed to help you:

•Understand your customers’ needs and concerns
•Solve customer problems (it isn’t always the paper…and Printech will show you why!)

Who Should Attend?

Anyone interested in increasing sales and profit margins as well as identifying the problems and solutions of your customers. Printech is a unique, hands-on educational
program for paper industry professionals in:

•Sales (inside/outside)
•Customer service (including technical and specification representatives)
•Management
•And any other position that requires an understanding of the printer’s business and how paper flows through the print manufacturing process

What is Printech 2008?

NPTA Printech is unlike any other seminar or workshop for paper professionals. It is specifically designed to give you the facts, the background and the experience you need to thoroughly understand the graphic arts and printing process. In addition, because it is presented from the paper point of view, you will “follow the paper” from the starting point through the finished piece.

Printech consists of a combination of in-depth and interactive classroom sessions alternating with hands-on, working demonstrations in state-of-the-art printing labs. Your instructors are all highly experienced professionals – they have “seen it all,” and are eager to share their knowledge using real-life examples.

Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to network with other paper professionals in a small, collegial atmosphere. Share ideas, compare sales and customer service strategies and make contacts that will help you for years to come.

Because paper and printing technology changes rapidly, the Printech program is updated each year. Printech has been the industry standard for more than 20 years, and Printech 2008 is truly the premier program available for paper industry professionals.

What can I expect to learn?

Printech will immerse you in the practical application of the printing process through hands-on participation, lectures, interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions. You will receive 22 hours of instruction over three days, including:

•The history and theory behind the printing process – new vs. old vs. improved
•Types of printing processes and their pros and cons – letterpress, flexography, gravure, screen printing, lithography, non-impact/digital
•How paper choice affects the finished piece – help customers avoid using the wrong paper on the wrong press for the wrong job
•How the desktop publishing revolution has made the printer’s world a very different place – evolving roles, changing rules
•Digital printing trends – and why digital customers really are different
•Color theory and appreciation – additive and subtractive color systems, color communication, color matching, color viewing
•Prepress workflow and press issues – observe firsthand how a printing job is planned, prepared for press, proofed, run and completed for sheet-fed, web and digital presses
•Toner vs. ink – differences and issues (and the importance of water!)
•How finishing can affect the job – folding, perfect binding, saddle stitching, tape binding, corner stitching
•Press and paper-related problems – causes and solutions
•What to do when good jobs go bad – the top seven problems you are likely to encounter

Printech 2008 Attendee Information

Printech Dates and Hotel Information

Lodging and Location

The NPTA Alliance has negotiated discounted rates at area hotels for both Printech West and Printech East. Room rates include daily round-trip shuttle service between the hotel and the Printech facility. For Printech East only, shuttle service is also included to Pittsburgh International Airport following class adjournment on the final day.

Hotel room rates are subject to change.

Please note, Printech West does provide shuttle transportation to the SLO airport after the program.

Printech 2008 West: March 19-21, San Luis Obispo, California
California Polytechnic State University – Graphic Communication Institute

Cal Poly is located in San Luis Obispo, California, approximately midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Holiday Inn Express
1800 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.544.8600

Call the Holiday Inn Express directly at 805.544.8600 to make your reservation. Mention that you are attending the NPTA/GRCI Printech meeting to receive the discounted rate of $109 (plus tax) per night.

If you will be flying to the meeting, we suggest you check airfares to San Luis Obispo (SBP), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC) and Bakersfield (BFL).

Printech 2008 East: November 12-14, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation

PIA/GATF’s facility is in a suburb just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their 50,000-square-foot building houses training labs for a variety of digital and lithographic presses including a 6-color sheet-fed offset with UV capability and a full-size commercial web press. In addition, they have high-tech pre-press and digital printing technology.

DoubleTree Hotel and Suites
Pittsburgh City Center
One Bigelow Square
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412.281.5800, ext. 390

Call the DoubleTree Hotel directly at 412.281.5800, extension 390, to make your reservation. Mention that you are attending the NPTA/PIA/GATF Printech meeting to receive the discounted rate of $96 (plus tax) per night for a standard room or $126 (plus tax) per night for a one-bedroom suite. The closest airport to the meeting is Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT).

Program Schedule

Printech begins at 8:30 am and concludes at approximately 4:30 pm on each of the three days. You should plan to arrive the evening before the program starts.

Registration

Because this is an interactive and hands-on educational experience, class size is limited. Attendance is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early. If space is available, your registration will be confirmed upon receipt of your completed Registration Form and full payment. We cannot accept purchase orders or invoice your company.

Printech 2008 Fee

Your fee includes attendance at Printech 2008, transportation between the hotel and facility, all course materials, all coffee breaks and lunches and the graduation dinner. For Printech East only, shuttle service is also included to Pittsburgh International Airport following class adjournment on the final day. Airfare, hotel and other meal and transportation charges are not included.

Printech West does provide shuttle transportation to the SLO airport after the program.

For NPTA Alliance Members

If your company is an NPTA Alliance member, you are eligible for the discounted member registration fee of $1,295.

For Non-NPTA Alliance Members

The fee for non-members is $1,695. If your company joins the NPTA Alliance prior to your attendance at Printech, you are eligible for the $1,295 member fee.
If your company joins the NPTA Alliance after you attend Printech, 50% of the difference between the member and non-member fee for Printech ($200) may be applied toward first-year membership dues. Your company must join the NPTA Alliance within 30 days after you attend the program. Contact the NPTA Alliance headquarters at 800.355.5782 (toll-free), 312.321.4094 or npta@gonpta.com.

Faculty and Course Materials

The Printech program is taught by experienced, well-known graphic arts, printing and research specialists. In addition to your in-person instruction, you will receive extensive handouts and graphic arts/industry textbooks for future reference.

Dress Code

The dress code is casual (jeans and athletic shoes are acceptable). Keep in mind that you will be working around printing presses part of the time. The dress code for the graduation dinner is business casual (jacket and tie are not required).