The Sectors

The sectors of Packaging, Printing and Graphic Communication contribute decisively to the development of modern production and entrepreneurship, from supporting the production of agricultural products, tourism and culture, to supporting and promoting the exports of Greek products.

The PackPrint Science center combines the study of the fields of Packaging, Printing and Graphic Communication, research work and the implementation of education and training programs, in modern fields and in particular in advanced design, management and production systems, automation and complex systems and innovations in the modern production process.

Packaging is a broad interdisciplinary and productive field and a sector in which several other sectors of economic activity participate. Packaging and the systems of design, development and production of packaging have a direct relationship with the global economy and a primary role in trade, protection, safe handling, transportation but also in the promotion and sales of products and goods, environmental conditions, the supply chain and advertising. Internationally and in Greece, a continuous increase in packaging production is observed in all categories.

Printing is the main manufacturing process in the broader field of graphic arts - graphic communication. Printing is the process in which the originals, which have been processed in the pre-printing stage and have been transferred to the printing plate or cylinder, are printed using ink and applying pressure to the printing substrate (paper, cardboard, etc.). Through the printing process, the possibility of producing thousands or even millions of copies is given. Several printing methods are applied in modern printing, of which the main ones are Offset, Flexography, Gravure, Silkscreen, Dry Offset and Digital Printing.

Digital printing is the most modern printing method applicable to all printing substrates. It differs from the others because it does not use a printing plate or cylinder, and has the ability to print a small number of copies and variable data.

Printing systems are constantly developing, with the integration of innovative technologies, such as advanced automation, digital interconnection and functions based on Artificial Intelligence. Machines are also evolving into hybrid ones with a combination of printing units from different methods and with the incorporation of systems for closing, finishing and perfecting the produced forms. Packaging is the most important sector where graphic arts and printing are addressed, accounting for about 60% of printing worldwide.

Graphic communication has as its main field that of printing, which includes all the processes of design, editing, production and final completion of all kinds of printed matter as well as the complex structure of administrative, managerial, financial, aesthetic, creative, technological and productive characteristics which are harmoniously combined with each other and integrated into the final printed product. It constitutes an extremely important and broad sector of service provision and production of products and media in visual communication.