Lean Printing:
The Pathway to Success!

This month's tip comes from Kevin Cooper

Current economic times are filled with volatility and uncertainty. Finding ways to achieve a competitive advantage is an ongoing struggle for many printers. A growing number of firms in the industry are turning to, and embracing, lean manufacturing methodologies as a means of building their own pathway to success. Lean thinking is based off of principles espoused by the Toyota Motor Corporation and has propelled them to a dominant position in the auto industry. These same principles are applicable to the print industry and Cal Poly is supporting the industry’s education around these principles in several ways. 

The Graphic Communication Institute offers a three day workshop on lean methodology in the print industry several times each year. The next offering is coming up quickly on May 21-23. This workshop is specifically designed for industry participants who wish to understand how to apply lean thinking to their business. Foundations of lean, along with lean operational pillars are introduced, discussed, and modeled through hands-on exercises and examples specifically derived from actual printers. This workshop has been developed and given to both domestic and international audiences over the past several years. 

For those who cannot make a workshop, Cal Poly professors Kevin Cooper, Malcolm Keif, and Ken Macro have also authored a text on Lean printing published by PIA/GATF. This lean primer introduces the fundamental principles of lean, with a specific emphasis on lean applications for the print industry. However you choose to pursue an education in lean, use these proven principles to help establish your own pathway to success in the print industry.

That tip and many more will be explained during the upcoming GrCI workshop "Lean Printing: Pathway to Success" (May 21-23).

The View From Bishops Peak

by Lyndee Sing, GrCI Program Manager

Greetings from San Luis Obispo! With low humidity, moderate temperatures, the oceans, the mountains and a thriving cultural scene, this town is anything but “SLO.” But it’s not all "fun in the sun" here at Cal Poly; I’ve also got the difficult job of figuring out what you want!

How can GrCI help you? If you can think of a specific workshop topic, research project or other opportunity that you’d like us to work on, please email me at lsing@calpoly.edu or call me at (805) 756-2645. Perhaps I’ll see you soon!

'Business of Green Media’ Conference at Cal Poly Draws Attendees from U.S., Europe

Experts in the graphic communication industry, enterprise executives and representatives from nonprofit groups concerned with sustainable communications converged at Cal Poly on January 24, 2008, for the first "Business of Green Media" Conference, sponsored by the Graphic Communication Institute.

Don Carli, EVP Conferences, SustainCommWorld and moderator, led discussions about the complexities of certification and regulation. He also discussed the business case for sustainability; establishing sustainable supply chains; and sustainable, profitable best practices. Carli also talked about the cost of e-mail versus direct mail and other “hard” media options.

The conference culminated in an evening banquet featuring a keynote speech by Robert Tapella, Public Printer of the United States, who heads the U.S. Government Printing Office. Tapella announced sustainability objectives for his agency, the largest printing operation in the world.

Tapella would like the GPO to be the first ‘LEED Platinum’ printing plant in the country. “I think as a federal official, I have the obligation to be a good steward of resources,” he said. Currently his staff recycles over a million pounds of paper and metal and are investigating the reuse of recycled materials, reduction and reuse of “wash-down” solvents, and offering 100 percent post-consumer waste paper to government offices under Tapella’s control.

“The conference surpassed our expectations in many areas,” said Lisa Wellman, CEO, SustainCommWorld. “Over 35 percent of attendees were from out of state and Europe, and stayed for every session -- I’ve never seen that happen. This highlights the value of the content as well as the importance of this topic for the 21st century.”

“Hosting this conference represents Cal Poly’s commitment to supporting the sustainability efforts of our industry,” said Harvey Levenson, head of Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department and the Graphic Communication Institute. “We are committed to educating men and woman with the knowledge and ability to improve and elevate the graphic communication industry to one representing the best practices in sustainability and business applications.”

The conference was produced by SustainCommWorld for The Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly. Sponsors included some of the leading companies in the graphic communication industry including Cenveo (Anderson Lithograph/ColorGraphics), GreenerPrinter, HP, Kodak, Mohawk Fine Papers, Océ, Quebecor World, RR Donnelley, Sappi Fine Paper, and Xerox. Cal Poly’s College of Liberal Arts was also a sponsor.

Renown artist and activist Peter Max created a poster for SustainCommWorld's Cal Poly conference and their upcoming event in Boston on October 1-2. All attendees to The Business of Green Media Conference held in California and The Green Media Show to be held in Boston will receive a copy of the poster.

If you were unable to attend the first Business of Green Media Conference, podcasts are now available of the event. Download the entire conference or individual sessions.

Cal Poly is planning a 2nd annual The Business of Green Media Conference on January 22, 2009. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting event.

Upcoming Workshops Offer Something For Everyone!

May 21-23: Lean Printing: Pathway to Success
Presented by Cal Poly professors Kevin Cooper, Dr. Malcolm Keif and Ken Macro

Get ready for a program that will challenge your current ideas on efficient print production! Learn world-class lean manufacturing principles as well as proven strategies and steps for adopting lean management at your plant.

June 17-18: Flexo Bootcamp - NEW!
Presented by Dr. Malcolm Keif, Cal Poly

This fast-paced hands-on workshop provides the participant with a solid foundation in the flexographic printing process. Over a two-day period, students will learn both theory and modern practice of flexographic workflow and printing using a narrow-web press. Participants will build an Illustrator file, use EskoArtworks Suite 7 and carbon mask plates, and print on a Mark Andy 2200 press. If you need to learn flexo printing quickly, you need Flexo Bootcamp.

July 29-30: Sustaining the InPlant In A Greening World - NEW!
Presented by Ken Macro, Cal Poly and Vic Barkin, industry expert

“Going green” has become a popular phrase embedded within the vernacular of the graphic communication industry, and, most importantly, within the confines of the very organizations for which are served by in-plant print facilities. This workshop is the first of a three-part series that addresses the how, why, and when for strategically developing a plan for greening and sustaining the in-plant printing operation. Learn of ways that can turn challenges into opportunities and sustain your existence.

August 25-27: Printing Industry Overview
Presented by Cal Poly's GrC Department Head, Dr. Harvey Levenson

Would you like a better understanding of what the printing industry is all about? This is your chance! This fun and informational program will highlight new technologies and business practices for sales, service and prepress. Day two offers valuable hands-on experience with both offset and litho presses and examines the importance of substrates and inks. Explore postpress possibilities like binding, folding, die cutting and more!

Looking for something else? View all the upcoming workshops on our GrCI 2008 Workshop Calendar by clicking here. High-quality hands-on training, fully-equipped facilities, and the most knowledgeable instructors in the printing industry. More details about accommodations, transportation and cancellations are available on the Workshops page of our web site: http://www.grci.calpoly.edu/workshops.html

Wine Tasting Tours Showcase Idyllic Local Vineyards

Picture yourself relaxing on a warm California afternoon, watching the sun head towards the horizon as you sample the best local wines from San Luis Obispo County's many award-winning vineyards.

Tasting rooms range from rustic to cutting-edge, and many wineries can satisfy your cravings for fine food as well. Some even offer weekend concerts featuring classical, folk or blues music, or boast an art gallery or sculpture garden.

After-class tastings are available in downtown SLO, but consider charting a "wine limo" for a weekend you'll never forget! (Most vineyards are about 30 miles north of Cal Poly, near the towns of Paso Robles and Templeton.) Links to wineries, transportation services and more can be found on the SLO County Visitors and Conference Bureau web site at www.sanluisobispocounty.com.