Shutterfly's HP Installation Is Great News for ASU's In-plant

Cathy Skogland

When HP announced at drupa that Shutterfly was leasing 25 new HP Indigo 12000 Digital Presses, thus becoming the company's largest customer installation of all time, Cathy Skogland got excited. The director of Arizona State University's student-run Print and Imaging Lab knew that many of these digital presses would be placed at Shutterfly's new 247,000-sq.-ft. facility in nearby Tempe, which it opened in August 2015. Why is this important?

"This is great news for ASU's Graphic Information Technology (GIT) degree program because it creates a natural funnel for our graduates to be hired into a successful corporation post-graduation," she remarks. "The ASU GIT program, with 700+ students currently enrolled, is one of the most successful graphics programs in the U.S., providing a hands-on learning laboratory where students learn by doing.

"Many of the students who graduate with a GIT degree have personally operated an HP indigo press," she notes. "This provides local and national print manufacturers like Shutterfly an educated, thriving workforce. Companies who are investing in new technology are more attractive to millennials."

Installation of the new digital presses will take place this summer, HP says, to ensure the company is prepared for peak holiday season production of photo-specialty applications, such as custom photobooks, greeting cards and calendars.