FIRST 4.0. Introductions Dr. John Anderson: –FTA Technical Director –New FFTA TEST Founding Member (Technical Education Services Team) Previously: –Consultant

FIRST 4.0

Introductions

• Dr. John Anderson:– FTA Technical Director– New FFTA TEST Founding Member

• (Technical Education Services Team)

• Previously:– Consultant Specializing in Print Simulators– EFTA Technical & Education Manager– Research at University of Wales Swansea

2FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007Dr John Anderson

FIRSTFlexographic Imaging Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances


FIRST Overview

• 10 years since FIRST Premier Edition

• FIRST is now:– Undergoing significant changes

• With major industry backing

– Truly becoming a global document– End buyers want printers, prepress, and

suppliers use it!

• FIRST 4.0 Expected late 2007


Why FIRST?

The intention of FIRST is to provide

all participants in the flexographic reproduction process

with a common set of

guidelines, tutorials, and data

that can be

used as communication and publications tools.

Specifications & Guidelines -- Not Standards


WHAT DOES FIRST OFFER?


What Does FIRST Offer?

• Identify key flexographic procedures & guidelines

• From beginning to end of the process

• Improved communications & measurement procedures

• Improved quality & consistency



• Reduced cycle time and minimized rework

• Controlled production costs

• Enables consumer product companies to obtain true flexographic capabilities



• What It Means To You:– Reduced Process Time– More Profits– Happier Customers


WHO NEEDS FIRST?


Who Needs FIRST?

• Designers

• Prepress

• Printers

• Buyers

• Anyone involved with Flexo!

You ALL need FIRST 4.0!


Who Needs FIRST?

Everyone!


FIRST 4.0The latest version in the FIRST series, but with a new name style!


Who Is Involved?

• A committee of about 50, with 20 regular participants, these include:– ESKO, Smurfit-Stone, Harper Graphic Solutions, Cal Poly, RR

Donnelley, Excelsior Packaging Group, Schawk, Inc., Cyrel Packaging Graphics, Keating Toronto, Allison Systems, National Envelope, Rochester Institute of Technology, All Printing Resources, Inc., The Procter & Gamble Company, Flint Group

– Hood Packaging Inc, Color Resolution Inc, Diageo, Sun Chemical, Anderson & Vreeland, Clemson University, Kodak, Stork Cellramic Inc, Matthews Packaging Graphics, International Paper, W+D Machinery Company, Fastik Label, Vertis Inc., The News & Observer, Clemson University, Tetrapak,

– ATIF, MacDermid Printing Solutions, AFTA, DFTA, Asahi Photoproducts, EFTA (UK) Ltd


Why Are They Involved?

“I am involved with FIRST for one reason… Consistency! I believe this is the biggest hurdle Flexo printers face and one of the biggest desires of our

customers.”Scott Gilbert, Smurfit Stone

FIRST Co-chair


MESSAGE TRACK


Message Track

• Developed A New Message Track

• Allow Clear Communication Of FIRST

• Included In The FPPA Literature


Message Track

• The enhanced FIRST 4.0 features:– More user-friendly format– Expanded cross references & index– Improved workflows– Updated best practices & technical

information– Quick online references & electronic tools


Message Track

• FIRST 4.0 is the answer to meet the needs of Providers and CPCs alike through:– Improved print quality & consistency of

brand equity– Reduced scrap & rework to deliver "right

the first time"– Optimized production costs


Message Track

• FIRST helps Flexographers deliver high-quality, fast turnaround, & affordable printing worldwide.


CHANGES IN MORE DETAIL


Updated Section Content

• ALL sections reviewed and updated

• Industry changes addressed

• Provides core text needed for successful implementation


User Tools

• Previous versions told you what to do, but provided few tools to assist you.

• FIRST 4.0 is providing tools, such as press-side charts, Excel tables, guidelines, a la carte targets, etc.

• Most tools are supplied digitally for easier use and communication.


Quick Reference Guides

• Summaries of each section

• Allows quick review of content

• Find what you need quickly

• Book contains full text for greater understanding

• Supplied digitally for easy distribution


Indexing

• Previous editions have not had an index

• Users requested its addition

• FIRST 4.0 will have a complete index for all significant terms


FIRST 4.1. 4.2, etc.

• FIRST 4.0 is the latest, but with a new name style

• The Flexo industry continues to change QUICKLY!

• International participation will bring more updates

• Industry does not want to wait 3 years for updates


FIRST Web Site

• FIRST is currently using www.flexoFIRST.com

• October/November FTA will change to a database-driven Web site, as part of TEST– FIRST will have its own section

• Updates expected to be posted every 3 to 6 months as FIRST 4.1, 4.2, etc.


http://www.flexofirst.com/

International Distribution

• FIRST 4.0 is the first version to request significant participation from other FTAs– Some participation from the AFTA, ATIF, DFTA, &

EFTA (Australia, Italy, Germany, & UK)– Future updates will be truly global collaborations– Becoming an International partnership– Expecting at least one co-chair for prepress will come

from Germany; print from Italy, and we are looking for volunteers from other regions

– Communications will be via electronic or Internet tools


FLEXO – THE BIGGER PICTURE


FIRST as the Common Voice/Cause

• Flexo has risen a long way, yet still has image and perception issues

• For Flexo to grow globally, it must communicate its message and image to the industry and end buyers better– Procter & Gamble’s Mike Ferrari has stated that

“FIRST can be the method by which the Flexo industry communicates its positive

message Globally!”


FIRST as the Common Voice/Cause

• To mean something, FIRST must: – Move from recommendations to everyday

common practices.– Be accepted and promoted.

• FIRST 4.0 means applying process control and best practices without giving up a company’s individuality.


CONCLUSIONS FOR FIRST 4.O


In Conclusion – FIRST 4.0

• FIRST is not "NEW,” but 10 years old– Continues to develop and evolve

• Provides guidelines and specifications – It is not a standard

• Covers Flexo through communication, design, prepress, & print.



• FIRST 4.0 is the most user friendly version, with tools to assist implementation

• FIRST 4.0 provides Flexo with a common communication tool.



• FIRST 4.0 gives us a common voice and perspective to promote Flexo Globally!

• FIRST 4.0 needs to be implemented and talked about to promote Flexo.

• FIRST 4.0 is the start of a truly global Flexo industry collaboration.


Now For Something Different

FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

37


What Is TEST?

• Technical Education Services Team

• New restructuring of FFTA staffing

• Development of educational materials for the Flexographic industry

• To be delivered on-line and through certified instructors

38


Why TEST?

• Currently there is great variation in education and its delivery

• Need for greater consistency and transparency

• Need for updated education materials

• Need for updated delivery methods

39


Who Is TEST?

• TEST Founding Members– Joe Tuccitto – Primary Developer– Dr John Anderson – Developer & Tester– Laura Hatch – Presentation &

Communication

40


When Is TEST Starting?

• In reality it has started

• Officially it starts October 01 2007

• Through sponsorship it is funded for development until the end of 2009

• First modules expected later in 2007

41


What Could TEST Mean To FPPA?

• FFTA is looking to develop prepress as well as print modules

• TEST is prepared to partner or work with FPPA to produce modules to suit its members needs, and benefit both

• TEST staff are developers, FPPA provide knowledge and guidance

42

Plus An Extra!


AFTA Forum & Visits

• I have just returned from 2 weeks with the Australian FTA

• Visited 5 prepress suppliers (internal and commercial)

• Heavy consolidation, especially NZ

• Will answer any questions on this as well if you have any.

44

Any Questions?

45

Contact Details

• Dr. John Anderson

• FTA Technical Director

• 198 Main Entrance Dr.

• Pittsburgh, PA 15228, USA

• E-mail: [email protected]

• Tel: 412 531 6209 Cell: 412 266 6995


Documents

FIRST 4.0. Introductions Dr. John Anderson: –FTA Technical Director –New FFTA TEST Founding Member (Technical Education Services Team) Previously: –Consultant