The Clemson Printing and Converting Research Center was developed in 1991 in response to an offer from a wide web press manufacturer, Luigi Cararro whose company is Carint. That press was accepted on the basis of an entrepreneurial business plan which used the revenues resulting from services rendered to industry to pay the ongoing expenses of “having the press.” This economic model supported undergraduate and graduate educational experiences and unique services to flexible packaging industry for dozen of years.

During the summer of 1993, Clemson was contacted by Richard Troll, President of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation, inquiring about the interest in expanding on the teaching of the corrugated industry and its technologies. Page Crouch, Coordinator of the Graphic Communications Program, was enthusiastic over the prospect that the corrugated industry might wish to increase its visibility and encourage Mr. Troll to plan a visit. This was done in very short order, and the visit was most productive. It was very quickly followed by a second visit with members of the board of directors of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation, including: Dick Troll, Jack Grollman, Hardy Sanders, Bruce Benson , Steve Young. These industry leaders liked the combination of pre-employment education with ongoing industrial training and research offered by Clemson.

The ICPF went to work to launch industry support to move in a most timely fashion to develop a corrugated instructional facility in keeping with the Clemson hands-on, problem solving methodology at the Clemson campus. The location at the Printing/Converting Research Center permitted this fast movement since space was available, although crowded at the time, to progress with a plan. The Bobst Corporation came to the front when requests were made by the ICPF for machinery donations. Today's successful high quality graphics postprinting program is a living example of the benefits to the industry associated with the partnership started by means of the interest and commitment of the corrugated industry through the ICPF.

Clemson recognized that people were having to wait several months to receive training in postprint corrugated due to the huge demand for its program. Clemson also recognized the industry has a great deal more flexographic rotary diecutters while graphics presses are the exception. Therefore Clemson set out with the intention of identifying available equipment to fulfill this need by the corrugated industry. The Bobst Group responded immediately and through the partnership with the ICPF Clemson received a three color Martin DRO 1628 NT. Installation is currently underway and students will immediately improve their knowledge of corrugated printing and diecutting while developing into future leaders for this industry.

Accepting a large piece of machinery is a substantial financial burden when the equipment is used solely for education, training, testing and research process. Installations of this type require many other support items which are very expensive. Clemson has always been committed to doing its part in the process with the understanding the industry will rally its support in return. It is a participatory process and this service to the corrugated industry will be exemplary when all elements of this process are accounted for.