IP Tech is a collegiate-type training program for Interprint customers and other industry participants. The program is corresponding with the three major areas of Interprint's business: design, manufacturing and quality control. The new school is the first in the industry according to Interprint Managing Director William M. Hines, Jr. Participants engage in "hands-on" workshops in labs and on the plant floor, at least three times a day.

"They get experience in mixing inks and doing 'draw-downs' to get a color," says Hines. "They also get to experience the intricacies of our decorative rotogravure printing process, which is significantly different from any other type of printing in the world."

The program is taught solely by IP employees who do the actual work on the floor. The sessions have resulted in rave reviews for these "home-grown" instructors. "It provides us an opportunity for our employees to learn about themselves - and for them to learn about each other," says Hines. "Everyone learns a lot about their own talents and capabilities. It also builds teamwork and improves morale - whether it be in the plant, or visiting during the 'off-hours.' It takes a lot of teamwork to make this product exactly right for each customer."

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