The objective of this lesson is to provide a solid overview of the commonly used, market share-leading printing process called flexography.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Define what flexography is and how it is used
2. Identify flexographic press types and the markets they serve
3. Describe the primary sections of a flexographic press and its attributes
4. Describe common flexographic consumables used (i.e., plates, inks, substrates, etc.)
5. Identify historical influences that have shaped the industry

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to properly load and prepare roll-fed substrates on press.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Perform the necessary procedures for loading substrates on press
2. Conduct final roll damage inspection
3. Verify roll unwind direction for print surface
4. Position the roll on the unwind stand
5. Secure the roll on the unwind stand

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to properly and safely remove the finished product from the press.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Perform the proper procedures for removing a press splice and/or bad product
2. Use the appropriate hoisting mechanism to remove finished product from the press
3. Transport finished product to the staging area

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to identify the procedures used for the proper cleanup of a flexographic print station.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Identify the cleaning solution to be used
2. Identify the materials and tools needed
3. Perform the proper steps of draining the production ink from the print station
4. Clean the ink pan and other components as necessary
5. Reassemble the components of the print station

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to perform the proper manual anilox roller cleaning techniques before use, during changeover and after production.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Perform anilox roller cleaning using the correct tools
2. Apply the appropriate cleaning solutions for the ink type being used
3. Inspect cleaned anilox rollers for cleanliness and damage

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to safely perform the procedures of changing the doctor blade material.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Identify the tools needed to properly change the doctor blade material
2. Identify the correct doctor blade material to be used
3. Perform the proper procedures of cleaning the doctor blade holder
4. Perform the correct placement and tightening of the new doctor blade material

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to perform proper plate demounting and mounting tape removal techniques.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Safely remove plates from plate cylinders/sleeves
2. Perform any necessary plate backing cleaning
3. Perform any necessary plate cylinder/sleeve cleaning

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to perform proper plate cleaning techniques before, during and after production.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Perform plate cleaning using the correct tools
2. Apply the appropriate cleaning solutions for the ink and plate type being used
3. Inspect cleaned plates for cleanliness
4. Perform proper drying techniques

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to perform proper cleaning techniques for plate cylinders and/or sleeves.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Perform plate cylinder and/or sleeve cleaning using the correct tools
2. Apply the appropriate cleaning solution
3. Inspect cleaned cylinders and/or sleeves for cleanliness and damage

The objective of this lesson is to learn how to maintain inks prior to going on press, as well as during production, to retain performance and color consistency.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Monitor and adjust the pH of water-based ink
2. Monitor and adjust the viscosity of water-based ink
3. Monitor and adjust the viscosity of solvent-based ink