The first course, Improving Heatset Print Productivity, will run on 22-23 November at the Augsburg facilities of Manroland and UPM.

Fellow PrintCity Alliance member Sun Chemical will also be involved in the event.

The course will comprise a number of seminars, each focusing on aspects of efficient web printing production. Seminar topics will include cross-process knowledge, press production and energy efficiency.

PrintCity said it intended to turn the courses into a regular series through 2012. Tailored courses will also be available to individual customers.

The training programme is aimed at managers from web offset printing houses who wish to increase their skill level and improve internal operating efficiencies at their companies.

PrintCity believes that users will come away with an increased understanding of the processes, introducing how press, paper and ink variables impact the efficiency of the entire web press system.

David Stamp, director of marketing and communications at PrintCity, said: "The beauty of this course is that printers will be able to come to the facilities and learn about the process from experts in a number of sectors – it is a complete training experience."

The course costs €1,190, with a €990 'early bird' discount.