The Gravure Printing Seminar in Stuttgart is a compact, hands-on training organised by the Global Rotogravure Association at Stuttgart Media University, combining practical gravure printing with a dedicated Color Day by GMG Academy.

✔ Ideal for newcomers and professionals
✔ Practical, clear, and industry-focused
✔ Expert teachers & interactive exchange

Gravure at your fingertips

Stuttgart Media University is the only university in Europe which operates a complete gravure line, from cylinder preparation through to a rotogravure printing press. Hence, the cylinder preparation and gravure printing department at HdM is unique in European further and higher education. In the labs all aspects of gravure can be closely experienced and tried out, and the quality of all production steps can be tested with special measuring methods.

The introductory course offered here covers gravure in theory and practice, from the electro plating for copper plating of a cylinder, through surface processing and finishing, preparation of a layout and the subsequent electromechanical engraving process, to printing on several papers with different ink viscosities. Besides electromechanical engraving, all workflow processes for other modern gravure cylinder engraving procedures such as laser assisted etching and laser engraving are explained. The new developments of cylinder surfaces are touched.

All process steps are tried and tested on equipment in the cylinder preparation laboratory and in the gravure printing department. Participants will design a layout, help prepare and engrave a cylinder with it, and print it on different types of paper. These steps will be accompanied by quality control with the corresponding measuring equipment.

The course is designed to provide a practical overview of the whole process chain for employees of gravure printers, cylinder engravers and reproduction studios, from paper, substrate and ink manufacturers, and also for newcomers to the industry coming from a different field. This course does not include advanced operator training and so is not intended for the experienced technical staff from gravure printers.

The number of participants has been limited to 10 participants per course. This enables each participant to take an active “hands on” part in each production step, which will enable a better understanding of the complete process.

Color Day by GMG Academy

The Color Day is a seminar on digital color management that focuses on the precise control and optimization of colors via print data and proofing.

In this workshop, participants will explore an comprehensive overview of color management and standardization within the realm of gravure printing. Led by experts from GMG, renowned for their proficiency in color management and proofing and the gravure department of the Stuttgart Media University, the workshop will equip attendees with essential knowledge and practical skills to get print quality and color right first time on press.

Participants will learn to match digital color targets on press accurately. They will also delve into best practices for measurement techniques, enabling them to execute precise evaluations and maintain consistency throughout the printing process.

The workshop will provide hands-on experience in print file preparation, proofing and printing, empowering participants to optimize outcomes and minimize errors. Practical exercises will focus on press profiling and thorough print evaluation. Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to explore advanced printing techniques such as Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) printing, unlocking new possibilities for creativity and efficiency in gravure printing.

This workshop is designed for technical staff involved in gravure printing across the production chain, offering valuable insights for improving color management practices. Additionally, managers seeking a comprehensive understanding of the future trends in gravure printing are encouraged to participate and gain strategic insights into optimizing printing processes for enhanced efficiency and quality.