Apex and Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS) have put together a production plan to print and finish around 3,000 workbooks during the Print Efficiently event, which will take place on 7-9 and 21-23 October at Apex’s Hemel Hempstead showroom.
The A4-format, saddle-stitched publications will be printed on Apex’s Ryobi 755 G press with LED-UV. The instantly cured ink will enable the job to be immediately finished on a Horizon bookletmaker supplied by IFS.
The bound workbooks, which are typically 20-30 pages long and contain worksheets, industry processes, exercises and design boards, are sent out to schools for students to complete as part of their course.
The second week of Print Efficiently will also play host to school parties seeking an insight into the print industry.
“We have a long-standing link with the PrintIT! team. At one of our recent open houses we invited PrintIT! to bring along school children who had shown an interest in the industry,” said Apex sales and marketing director Neil Handforth.
“We gave them a full tour of the facilities and the equipment on show and explained all of the processes. They were delighted to see things in the flesh and working in front of their eyes.
“I believe that we all have a duty to offer youngsters an insight into the world of print. There are so many facets to printing and there is something to excite everybody.”
One of Print Efficiently’s major aims is to combine the creative use of technology and partner collaborations to help ensure that print remains integral to everyday communication.
“To be able to demonstrate this to the next generation of printers is very exciting,” said IFS managing director Bryan Godwyn.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to show our support of an organisation that encourages young new talent into the industry.”
PrintIT!, which is run by the charity Proskills, teaches students about the print and packaging industries. With a focus on designing a print product for Fairtrade, schools are provided with free lesson plans, resources, and workbooks. Over 140,000 students from around 2,000 schools have taken part in the programme to date.
Proskills UK marketing manager Amy Moran said: “Proskills relies solely on the printing industry to keep this important programme going.
“It’s the support of companies like Apex and IFS that will help us inspire more young people than ever before to consider a career in the print and packaging industries.”
Meanwhile, Duplo will promote PrintIT! by hosting the launch of the 2014/15 programme, which marks the initiative's 10th anniversary, at its London Calling event at East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf on 15-16 October 2014.
The 2014/15 programme will see a host of new resources, interactive learning materials and new hands-on opportunities for the students to learn about the careers available within the industry. Proskills is aiming to double the number of students participating in the initiative this year.
“I am looking forward to celebrating 10 years of Proskills and PrintIT! and to working together with industry partners to ensure that future generations have an even better chance of joining such dynamic and exciting industries,” said Proskills UK managing director Jonathan Ledger.
