Printing and coating is one of the largest industry sectors and the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC) is a world leading research centre focusing on investigating printing and coating as a manufacturing process. It has purpose-built fully equipped air conditioned laboratories for measurement of printed and coated product.  The Centre enjoys access to industrial printing facilities and also works closely with all components in the supply chain, including ink, substrate and machinery suppliers.  Research into image transfer mechanisms is undertaken on all of the high volume printing and coating processes.  This includes experimental programmes as well as the development of models to simulate and analyse all aspects of the process.  Fundamental work focuses on flow in thin fluid films, splitting and cavitation as well as transfer onto/into impermeable and permeable substrates.  Fundamental experimental work is undertaken on process optimisation with respect to product quality and this has contributed significantly to the development of ISO standards.   Practical applications focus on graphics printing and industrial printing.  Example project areas include printing and in mould decoration for plastic displays, industrial sensors and membrane switches.  This work is done with Companies that lead these fields. A number of industry sponsored studentships are available annually.  These are awarded by world leading Companies that work closely with the Centre.

For further information, please visit www.swansea.ac.uk/printing