David Savastano, Editor11.13.20
Kacy Schultz, technical manager paste applications lab, Sun Chemical and the 2020 NAPIM Technical Achievement Award recipient, has been a major force in the company’s energy curing operations.
Being offered a position by Chuck Brady to work in Sun Chemical’s newly established National Energy Curable Lab in 1993 proved to be one of the key highlights that Schultz pointed to in receiving the prestigious award.
“At the time, I had the choice to continue learning solvent and water flexo, but I was excited to join the new growing field of energy curable inks,” she said.
Among her many accomplishments, Schultz formulated hybrid sheetfed inks with the Carlstadt technical team for UV curing applications, developed UV inks that have adhesion properties for printing on many different plastics and point of purchase displays, and developed many UV ink systems for printing on pre-formed plastic containers and tubes.
In addition, Schultz applied color systems and brand color to energy curable products for customers, developed many pigment bases and inks used in energy curable printing for a variety of end use applications and compliance, developed patented inks for multiple print processes to bridge conductive inks to work with cell phone technology and managed an experienced group in application support for all paste ink processes.
Schultz noted that she first became interested in the printing and ink industries in high school. “My high school offered a series of vocational classes which included printing,” she recalled. “I liked the teacher and the program and was interested in how it allowed for a career skill that had to do with art.
“After graduation, I attended Western Michigan University, earning a bachelor’s degree in printing marketing in 1994, which offered a printing degree program. I really enjoyed many classes in that field because they enabled me to draw from real world experiences in my field of study. Since I was 15, I have held many small jobs. Learning printing offered me a craft that could express artistic creativity along with a solid skill set for a career. I was very happy to not be headed towards a career as a starving artist.”
Schultz’s mentors read like a Who’s Who of many of the ink industry’s leading technical minds.
“I have been very fortunate in terms of influences and there are too many to mention them all. However; I would not be here today if I had not been given the opportunity to learn from the many mentors before me who strongly believed in their craft,” she noted.
“Chuck Brady offered me the position to join the Sun Chemical Energy Curable Group. His in-depth experience in energy curable chemistry and varnish making was always valuable to develop unique and new products, added Schultz. “There is Dr. David Biro, whose vast knowledge of energy curable enabled us to learn to be better formulators and chemists. Tony Bean always took the time to explain anything I was curious about. When I joined, he quickly became an energy curable icon. Dr. Juanita Parris, who helped me to develop a strong role in the Sun Chemical organization. Jeff Jones, who offered me a chance to develop into increasing management of the Sun Chemical paste ink group. We were very lucky to have Jeff be part of our careers.”
“This award did allow for some reflection and I have been honored to work on the lab bench with many people, from Bhalendra (BJ) Patel and Ron Clark to Tim Craig. Their dedication and knowledge to energy curable technology was incredible to be a part of,” Schultz continued. “Finally, every woman always needs a trailblazer, and I thank Liz Scherer, who always pushed me technically to do my best.”
The ink and printing industries have changed dramatically over the years, and Schultz sees it continuing to make a difference in the future.
“The industry has changed immensely over the years,” Schultz observed. “One could not have predicted the internet and the effect it would have on printed matter. Thirty years ago, we never would have imagined when going to hotel and asking why we did not get ‘the paper,’ that the desk clerk would then look at you and ask if the receipt should be emailed to you. That’s because back then, the paper was meant to be the newspaper, how one used to get the news. We could not imagine magazines and articles on our phones, or that digital printing would be a contender to offset. Just like it was unimaginable that prepress would not be with film in dark rooms or that you would use the computer alone as a digital standard to match color.
“Change happens in any industry and it’s all how we adapt with it,” Schultz added. “In fact, I still hesitate when buying my daughters an online textbook until I remember the value in bridging printed matter to cell phones and understanding the history of the printing industry. I look forward to being able to make a difference in the sustainability of its future.”
Schultz’s colleagues say that she is very deserving of the award. Dr. Michael Hirthammer, GM, Sun Chemical, noted that Schultz has worked at Sun Chemical for more than 25 years, primarily in the energy curing area.
“Her contributions in the field of UV curing on plastics has been a focus of her work,” Dr. Hirthammer said. “She has been crucial in the development and commercialization of dry offset inks for cup decorating, lithographic inks for flat sheet plastic and, more recently, advances in credit card ink and adhesive materials. With a design for Six Sigma (DfSS) black belt training, she developed products and internal processes based on facts and data. She is known to fulfill expectations when it comes to complex tasks. Many of the inks are currently displayed on daily consumer products.”
“With her many years of experience in the printing ink industry, particularly the EC offset industry, Kacy has developed inks for cup printing, credit cards, point of purchase display (POP), UV waterless for wine labels, UV flexographic inks and coating and, most recently, in the field of UV-LED, where her pioneering work with dual wavelengths led to innovations in formulating strategies,” added Dr. David Biro, director, paste ink, screen & industrial, North America, Sun Chemical. “She is known for attending press trials and assisting the converters whenever possible. Her dedication to the printing industry is recognized by many of her peers.”
Outside of work, Schultz enjoys the outdoors with her family.
“My hobbies include golfing and spending time outdoors in the Northwoods with my fiancée,” she noted. “I love to vacation with my grown daughters to places they want to see. I am very proud of them and have great memories all the adventures we have gone on.”
Schultz said she was truly surprised to receive this award.
“It is a great honor to be listed with all the previous recipients, many of whom are my mentors,” added Schultz. “I am humbled to be recognized by NAPIM. I also want to thank all the individuals in this industry and in the NAPIM association for all the opportunities and education they provide. Without associations like this, we would not be strong in sustaining our craft.
“I thank my staff, both past and present, and everyone who has invested their time and knowledge in teaching me their knowledge in this industry. I am grateful for all the opportunities that Sun Chemical has given me to provide for my daughters,” she added. “It is the people at Sun Chemical that are easy to work with that make you want to work here. I currently have a really great group of hard-working, experienced colleagues and I want to thank them for their dedication during this pandemic.”
Being offered a position by Chuck Brady to work in Sun Chemical’s newly established National Energy Curable Lab in 1993 proved to be one of the key highlights that Schultz pointed to in receiving the prestigious award.
“At the time, I had the choice to continue learning solvent and water flexo, but I was excited to join the new growing field of energy curable inks,” she said.
Among her many accomplishments, Schultz formulated hybrid sheetfed inks with the Carlstadt technical team for UV curing applications, developed UV inks that have adhesion properties for printing on many different plastics and point of purchase displays, and developed many UV ink systems for printing on pre-formed plastic containers and tubes.
In addition, Schultz applied color systems and brand color to energy curable products for customers, developed many pigment bases and inks used in energy curable printing for a variety of end use applications and compliance, developed patented inks for multiple print processes to bridge conductive inks to work with cell phone technology and managed an experienced group in application support for all paste ink processes.
Schultz noted that she first became interested in the printing and ink industries in high school. “My high school offered a series of vocational classes which included printing,” she recalled. “I liked the teacher and the program and was interested in how it allowed for a career skill that had to do with art.
“After graduation, I attended Western Michigan University, earning a bachelor’s degree in printing marketing in 1994, which offered a printing degree program. I really enjoyed many classes in that field because they enabled me to draw from real world experiences in my field of study. Since I was 15, I have held many small jobs. Learning printing offered me a craft that could express artistic creativity along with a solid skill set for a career. I was very happy to not be headed towards a career as a starving artist.”
Schultz’s mentors read like a Who’s Who of many of the ink industry’s leading technical minds.
“I have been very fortunate in terms of influences and there are too many to mention them all. However; I would not be here today if I had not been given the opportunity to learn from the many mentors before me who strongly believed in their craft,” she noted.
“Chuck Brady offered me the position to join the Sun Chemical Energy Curable Group. His in-depth experience in energy curable chemistry and varnish making was always valuable to develop unique and new products, added Schultz. “There is Dr. David Biro, whose vast knowledge of energy curable enabled us to learn to be better formulators and chemists. Tony Bean always took the time to explain anything I was curious about. When I joined, he quickly became an energy curable icon. Dr. Juanita Parris, who helped me to develop a strong role in the Sun Chemical organization. Jeff Jones, who offered me a chance to develop into increasing management of the Sun Chemical paste ink group. We were very lucky to have Jeff be part of our careers.”
“This award did allow for some reflection and I have been honored to work on the lab bench with many people, from Bhalendra (BJ) Patel and Ron Clark to Tim Craig. Their dedication and knowledge to energy curable technology was incredible to be a part of,” Schultz continued. “Finally, every woman always needs a trailblazer, and I thank Liz Scherer, who always pushed me technically to do my best.”
The ink and printing industries have changed dramatically over the years, and Schultz sees it continuing to make a difference in the future.
“The industry has changed immensely over the years,” Schultz observed. “One could not have predicted the internet and the effect it would have on printed matter. Thirty years ago, we never would have imagined when going to hotel and asking why we did not get ‘the paper,’ that the desk clerk would then look at you and ask if the receipt should be emailed to you. That’s because back then, the paper was meant to be the newspaper, how one used to get the news. We could not imagine magazines and articles on our phones, or that digital printing would be a contender to offset. Just like it was unimaginable that prepress would not be with film in dark rooms or that you would use the computer alone as a digital standard to match color.
“Change happens in any industry and it’s all how we adapt with it,” Schultz added. “In fact, I still hesitate when buying my daughters an online textbook until I remember the value in bridging printed matter to cell phones and understanding the history of the printing industry. I look forward to being able to make a difference in the sustainability of its future.”
Schultz’s colleagues say that she is very deserving of the award. Dr. Michael Hirthammer, GM, Sun Chemical, noted that Schultz has worked at Sun Chemical for more than 25 years, primarily in the energy curing area.
“Her contributions in the field of UV curing on plastics has been a focus of her work,” Dr. Hirthammer said. “She has been crucial in the development and commercialization of dry offset inks for cup decorating, lithographic inks for flat sheet plastic and, more recently, advances in credit card ink and adhesive materials. With a design for Six Sigma (DfSS) black belt training, she developed products and internal processes based on facts and data. She is known to fulfill expectations when it comes to complex tasks. Many of the inks are currently displayed on daily consumer products.”
“With her many years of experience in the printing ink industry, particularly the EC offset industry, Kacy has developed inks for cup printing, credit cards, point of purchase display (POP), UV waterless for wine labels, UV flexographic inks and coating and, most recently, in the field of UV-LED, where her pioneering work with dual wavelengths led to innovations in formulating strategies,” added Dr. David Biro, director, paste ink, screen & industrial, North America, Sun Chemical. “She is known for attending press trials and assisting the converters whenever possible. Her dedication to the printing industry is recognized by many of her peers.”
Outside of work, Schultz enjoys the outdoors with her family.
“My hobbies include golfing and spending time outdoors in the Northwoods with my fiancée,” she noted. “I love to vacation with my grown daughters to places they want to see. I am very proud of them and have great memories all the adventures we have gone on.”
Schultz said she was truly surprised to receive this award.
“It is a great honor to be listed with all the previous recipients, many of whom are my mentors,” added Schultz. “I am humbled to be recognized by NAPIM. I also want to thank all the individuals in this industry and in the NAPIM association for all the opportunities and education they provide. Without associations like this, we would not be strong in sustaining our craft.
“I thank my staff, both past and present, and everyone who has invested their time and knowledge in teaching me their knowledge in this industry. I am grateful for all the opportunities that Sun Chemical has given me to provide for my daughters,” she added. “It is the people at Sun Chemical that are easy to work with that make you want to work here. I currently have a really great group of hard-working, experienced colleagues and I want to thank them for their dedication during this pandemic.”
