The State of Women in Flexography
- Published: March 26, 2026, By Trevor
By Rachel Acevedo, Chair of the Women of Flexo Recruiting and Engagement Committee
For much of its modern industrial history, flexography — like the broader paper, film, and foil converting sector — has been overwhelmingly male-dominated.
Pressrooms, plate rooms, ink kitchens, and shop floors were traditionally staffed and led by men. Technical roles, production supervision, plant management, and executive leadership pipelines largely reflected that reality. Women were present — often in administrative, customer service, or accounting functions — but far less visible in operational, engineering, and decision-making positions.
This was not unique to Flexo. Manufacturing has historically skewed male, particularly in heavy industrial and equipment-driven sectors. For decades, the flexographic workforce pipeline drew primarily from male-dominated technical trades referrals and legacy networks. There was no formal barrier keeping women out — but there was little intentional effort to attract them in. The result was a self-reinforcing cycle of representation.
But over the last 15–20 years, that cycle has begun to break — steadily, measurably, and intentionally.
University-based packaging and print programs report increasingly balanced enrollment, feeding new talent directly into flexographic and converting roles. Image courtesy of Women of Flexo.
From the Office to the Pressroom — and Beyond
Women today are not just participating in flexography; they are shaping it.
Across narrow web, wide web, corrugated, folding carton, and flexible packaging operations, women are serving as plant managers, technical directors, R&D specialists, color experts, automation leads, sales engineers, sustainability strategists, and corporate executives. They are running press trials, leading continuous improvement initiatives, implementing workflow systems, and overseeing multimillion-dollar capital investments.
This isn’t symbolic representation, it’s operational impact.
Part of that shift can be traced to broader changes within manufacturing. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women now represent roughly 29 percent of the manufacturing workforce.1 While still not proportional, the pipeline is diversifying as more women pursue degrees in engineering, packaging science, and supply chain management. Programs such as Clemson University’s packaging science curriculum and other university-based packaging and print programs report increasingly balanced enrollment, feeding new talent directly into flexographic and converting roles.
The evolution of flexo technology itself has also changed the career landscape. Modern presses are no longer purely mechanical systems. They integrate servo-driven controls, automated registration, digital color management, inspection systems, workflow analytics, and data-driven quality assurance. The skill sets required today extend far beyond physical endurance or mechanical troubleshooting. As the industry has grown more technologically sophisticated, the range of career entry points has expanded, for women especially.
Workforce Pressure Is Driving Broader Recruitment
At the same time, labor shortages have forced companies to rethink recruitment strategies and remain open to non-traditional candidates. The manufacturing sector continues to face an aging workforce, with Deloitte2 and The Manufacturing Institute3 projecting that millions of manufacturing jobs could go unfilled over the next decade if workforce gaps are not addressed.
The industry must do more to actively attract and retain the next generation. Converters cannot rely solely on traditional recruitment channels if they expect to sustain growth and innovation in an increasingly competitive labor environment.
Companies that actively showcase technical career paths, advancement opportunities, and leadership visibility are attracting a broader mix of candidates — including more women who may not have previously considered flexography as a career option. When the industry becomes more visible, it becomes more accessible.
University-based packaging and print programs report increasingly balanced enrollment, feeding new talent directly into flexographic and converting roles. Image courtesy of Women of Flexo.
Visibility Changes the Narrative
Visibility has played a critical role in accelerating this transformation.
Industry events now regularly feature women presenting technical content and leading discussions as well as showcasing women serving on committees, contributing to standards development, and participating in cross-industry technical forums.
This visibility matters. It signals legitimacy to early-career professionals. It reinforces that technical authority is not gendered. It creates role models where previously there were few.
Corporate leadership has also shifted. Major companies have increasingly promoted qualified women into senior positions, not as symbolic gestures, but as a reflection of performance and capability
Representation is no longer confined to support functions. It is present in boardrooms and on production floors alike.
A Cultural Shift Across the Industry
The cultural implications are equally significant. Historically, manufacturing environments rewarded hierarchy, endurance, and command-style leadership. Today’s converting operations require something different: cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision-making, rapid problem-solving, and clear communication across departments.
As more women assume leadership roles, the emphasis on structured accountability, mentorship, communication clarity, and long-term talent development has become more pronounced. The industry is not becoming “softer.” It is becoming more balanced and more strategically aligned with the demands of modern production.
Challenges remain. Representation in certain high-level executive roles and deeply technical plant-floor leadership positions still lags behind overall workforce growth. Women in flexography, particularly in heavy industrial converting environments, may still find themselves as the only female voice in a room. However, the difference from decades past is that these experiences are no longer isolated or unsupported. Professional networks exist. Mentorship channels exist. Industry conversations around advancement and inclusion are taking place openly within mainstream forums.
Community as a Catalyst
One of the most visible accelerators of this shift has been Women of Flexo, a community within the Flexographic Technical Association dedicated to engagement, mentorship, and leadership development.
Women of Flexo does not position women outside the industry. It positions them as essential to its sustainability. Through conferences, workshops, panel discussions, and networking initiatives, the organization has created a structured environment where women across production, engineering, sales, and executive roles can connect, mentor, and lead.
The broader FTA has reinforced this visibility by highlighting women in committee leadership, educational programming, and industry recognition efforts. These platforms normalize female technical leadership and provide tangible pathways for advancement.
For an industry facing talent shortages and increasing complexity, this infrastructure is not symbolic — it is strategic.
A Stabilizing Force for the Future of Flexo
Flexography may have been shaped within a male-dominated industrial era, but its future workforce looks different. The momentum behind women in flexography is not rooted in optics or trend. It is driven by performance, technology, and workforce sustainability. As automation increases, sustainability pressures intensify, and customer expectations rise, the industry requires broader perspectives and stronger leadership pipelines.
The state of women in flexography today reflects an industry in transition — one that is gradually aligning its workforce with the complexity and demands of modern converting. For an industry built on balance and control, this evolution may prove to be one of its most stabilizing developments yet.
The industry does not need to “make room” for women — it needs to recognize their impact. Converters who actively hire, develop, and respect women across pressrooms, plants, and boardrooms will build stronger teams, smarter operations, and a more resilient future for their operations.
About the Author
Rachel Acevedo participates as Chair of the Women of Flexo Recruiting and Engagement committee, and is the Founder & CEO of Ace Media & Marketing, a full-service agency. With over a decade experience in sales and business, and over 9 years’ marketing in Flexo, Rachel specializes in business strategy, inbound marketing, data management, networking, and emerging technology. Visit: https://womenofflexo.org and https://www.acemediamktg.com
