What people are saying about Common Sense Flexography

“David's knowledge of Flexography jumps from each page. The humor and anecdotal features make learning fun. Anyone printing with an anilox roll should read this book. Anyone reading the book comes away with knowledge that makes printing safer and better. Additionally, understanding and employing the practices given or inferred saves money.”
Mark Van Denend, President - Print Tech Associates

“It’s no surprise that David Lanska’s book is so encompassing, thought-provoking and informative. He’s well known as one of FTA’s “turbo members,” a person who is always willing to share his knowledge to help advance the industry. David offers a fresh perspective and provides new insights that will prove valuable to many flexographers. This comprehensive manuscript is a “must read” for anyone wishing to better understand anilox roll technology and proper pressroom practices!”
Mark Cisternino, President – Flexographic Technical Association

"David covers a tremendous amount of material, from ink to pressroom management and many points between, highlighting key concepts such as the construction and maintenance of anilox rolls, and the role, construction and selection of doctor blades. The images, theory, and formulas related to aniloxes are the most comprehensive I’ve seen, yet they are concisely presented. I will be mining this book for insight and formulas again and again. Many of the subtleties of flexo, often learned only through accident or word of mouth, are examined, with a humor and lightness that takes some of the edge off of a technical subject."
Frank Burgos, President - http://www.flexoexchange.com/

"The book is a fun and easy read, is relevant to our industry, and would allow a diverse readership with varying experiences to grasp the concepts, components and processes of our industry for quick understanding."
Tom Hammer, XSYS Print Solutions

"The managment section is great."
Jonathan Bourbonnière, Directeur général - Etiquettes Multi-Action

"This book definately has a handle on what flexography is all about, someone has finally taken the knowledge it has taken printers years to learn and put it down on paper! David's humourous approach to a very technical field helps to create a balance that make it effective in all levels of the industry. I intend to put a copy in all departments of our company so this knowledge is accessible to all! Commen-Sense Flexography is a must for any serious Pressroom. As important as your Densitometer."
Colin Shannon, Plant Operations - Artcraft Label, Inc.

"This book gives a strong foundation for building a great print shop. A great reference for all the basics of flexographic printing. The title of the books says it all about it’s content. Easy reading on important information."
Patrick Wilkinson, Project Engineer - Standard Register Company

"I read the book over the weekend and loved it!
The book starts out with printing basics, for those who need it, then traverses back and forth over the Flexo printing industry covering lots of ground from basic to advance. David ties each section together very nicely in a logical fashion and builds in a proper order. I liked the shaded areas for the reason that you quickly understand that they are highlights, points of interest, tips and interesting facts. I also liked the metaphors and analogies as they helped with understating abstract or difficult to grasp concepts.
There was just enough humor and puns to keep a technical subject light without cheesing it up. The graphics and the cartoon character were great illustrations making it easier to understand the technical stuff.
David’s knowledge is apparent in his grasp of the entire industry. His breadth of industry knowledge comes from his wide range of industry reading he does as is evident in the various books and articles he quotes from.
Last, the trouble shooting section is well thought out. This makes it worth having a second copy of the book in the shop so the press people can keep one close to their work bench when they need it."
Frank Anthony, Vice President/Operations - Chattanooga Times Free Press

A new milestone

July 19th marked the 27th anniversary with my former employer. Originally known as CSI Corporation, the company was my first full time job. When I started, I made $4.00/hour sweeping the floors and undercutting steel rolls on a small engine lathe. The shop was dirty and noisy, with cobbled together equipment. We had one used industrial CO2 laser that the owner had pieced together with some other old equipment in order to engrave holes in anilox rolls, an idea he patented along with an early doctor blade system.

Jerry had a lot of ideas so it was always interesting to see what he would come up with next. If someone said "it couldn't be done', then he set out to prove them wrong. We turned an old stake body Chevy 1 ton dually truck into a motorhome complete with bathroom facilities, kitchen and bedroom. We took a 7 1/2 foot Western snow plow onto the front of a 2 door Oldsmobile Toronado (and it plowed better than the old truck ever did). It is too bad that not all of his ideas worked out so well.

Our computer system in those days used punch cards to input data, assuming a mouse (little rodent - not the electronic type) didn't get stuck in the machine. The disk drives were as large as washing machines with disks as large as small car tires. When we upgraded equipment, the old computer system and all of its components took up the better part of a semi trailer. It is hard to imagine that my cell phone has thousands of times as much computing power as all of that equipment combined.

During my tenure, I grew from a high school student to an MBA graduate. I worked in maintenance, shipping & receiving, production, quality assurance, technical support, marketing, as well as anilox (and now also engineered coating) sales. I got married (with a silver anniversary rapidly approaching for that as well). Our children grew, the oldest of which is also married.

You might say I have developed something of a name in the flexo industry. I was thrilled to receive a Flexo Magazine Author's award and honored by receiving the FTA President's award.
My work in the industry is extremely rewarding and I am proud of my accomplishments and accalaids that have resulted.

But far beyond that, I am proud of the people I have worked with and served. Many of my best friends are colleagues, coworkers and customers. I have been very blessed these many years to have the opportunity to help other people be more successful. I know I have benefitted far beyond my ability to express from the help and support and interaction I have received along the way.

Who knows what the next 27 years will bring? Based on the last 27, all I can say is 'hold on tight. It's going to be a heck of a ride".