Drytac is preparing to open an interactive training centre in Fishponds, Bristol. The Drytac Academy will showcase Drytac products and show how they can be used with the popular wide-format printers.
Gareth Newman has been appointed academy manager and, supported by Drytac’s global product manager Shaun Holdom, is developing an extensive curriculum of training courses for display graphics professionals to begin later this month.
Printers featured at the academy will include a Roland TrueVIS VG-540 with VersaWorks 6 RIP software; a Fujifilm Acuity LED 1600 II using Caldera RIP software; and an HP Latex 365 and an Epson SureColor SC-S80600, both powered by Onyx Thrive workflow with others to be installed later.
‘Naturally we have the entire Drytac product range at our disposal,’ Mr Newman explained. ‘Having a full variety of machines allows our customers to learn how to get optimum results from Drytac materials using different systems and technologies.
‘We’ll also be working closely with the printer hardware manufacturers themselves by providing training to their employees using their own systems and Drytac materials.’
This collaboration with print brands is also contributing to the course development.
‘We’re asking manufacturers what their customers need: what do they want to know, what are they struggling with, how would they like to be more creative with our products?’ Mr Newman continued. ‘By drawing on this wealth of experience from both within and outside Drytac we’re approaching training in a fresh, new way.’
The Drytac Academy will also serve as an exhibition space, showcasing how Drytac’s products can be used in real-world display applications, such as retail store fronts.
The course titles will be announced shortly, but topics will include: an introduction to digital media; business development; practical application skills; and creative design.
