Printing is not just a business for many print professionals. It is a passion. People have made printing an integral part of their lives, and we want to highlight some of these individuals as part of our 125th Anniversary here at Printing Industries of America.
Watch as Brad performs quality control ink testing.
Few people are more passionate than Brad Evans, Senior Research Technician/Lab Coordinator at Printing Industries of America, who has spent three decades performing various testing to make better, higher-quality materials for print production. One of the ways his department serves the printing industry and our members is by analyzing issues such as ink tack for quality control. He is truly devoted to his trade and to assisting printing companies. Here, he shares with us some highlights of his career:
Tell us about our testing facilities here at Printing Industries of America.
We are able to do all of the Napiri and Tappi test methods to test ink and paper qualities here at Printing Industries of America.
One of the services you provide is to perform ink and paper tests to help printing companies with various issues. How many companies do you regularly assist and how have they benefitted?
We have two to three dozen companies that regularly use our testing services. Most companies call on us for quality control testing for raw materials such as ink and paper. Other companies order testing for conflict resolution.
In one case, a company had a conflict with basis weight (or the weight of paper). If there is a variance in the basis weight, it causes a difference in mailing costs. We are currently testing their unprinted paper to resolve this issue.
How long have you been performing this kind of research?
For 30 years I have been performing research here; first as GATF, then as Printing Industries of America.
What were some of your most interesting case studies over the years?
I had a case performing research on packaging for a soap company. The company had been printing with reflex blue ink. After a couple weeks on the shelves, the reflex blue ink on the wrappers would turn pink. As a result, this company now packages their product in polyboard wrap. We discovered that the lye in the soap was reacting with the reflex blue ink. The resulting change to pink occurred because reflux blue is sensitive to the alkalinity of the lye.
It seems like you have helped quite a few companies over the years. What is your favorite part about your job here at Printing Industries of America?
There is always something new to discover. Every day is different. After 30 years you never know what is going to come through the door. It feels great to reach solutions for companies’ problems and help them operate better—or, better yet, uncover and resolve issues before any problems occur!
Printing Industries of America’s Center for Technology and Research provides the printing industry with a single resource for technical information, testing, and technical education. We are here to help you with services such as computer-integrated manufacturing, on-site consultation and problem solving, and more. If you would like to know more about our testing facilities or have a question for Brad Evans, contact him directly at bevans@printing.org. Interested in attending our facility? Check out our Events and Training Calendar for opportunities to come learn on site!
Have you made printing and the graphic arts an important part of your life? We want to know about your Passion for Print! Share your story here with us here and join us in celebrating 125 years of print. #125Years