Talking flexo at the FFTA Annual Forum

Those interested in in-depth flexographic knowledge should head to the FFTA Annual Forum and InfoFlex Exhibition in Las Vegas. Danielle Jerschefske previews the event

The Foundation of the Flexographic Technical Association hosts its Annual Forum and InfoFlex Exhibition at The Paris Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 2-5. Seminars cover an array of topics including a closer look at FIRST reproduction guidelines, emerging trends, sustainability, streamlining digital workflow and more. The event launches with the third Annual Phoenix Challenge College Competition that invites teams of students from North America’s top packaging schools to battle each other for various titles. Students are given a year to address a given task and present their solution for an expert panel at the Forum. Teams are judged on overall aptitude, research, concept, graphics and execution. Last year’s Overall Champions hailed from CaliforniaPolytechnicStateUniversity.  

Seminars commence with Flexo 101: Meeting the Challenge. Here attendees learn key concepts for successful flexographic printing, including design workflow, consistency across shift changes and removing variables from the process. Do not miss industry veterans Mark Mazur, DuPont Packaging Graphics, and Mark Samworth, EskoArtwork, address flexo’s competitive advantage for packaging graphics.  

Pre-press: Streamlining the Digital Packaging Process gives tips on how to increase the efficiency of digital packaging workflows. Featured presenter Margie Dehm, Sara Lee Corporation, talks about streamlining from a brand owner’s experience. As the category manager for packaging graphics, Dehm explains how Sara Lee has reduced lead times by as much as 40 percent with the proper use of its workflow software.  

The Emerging Trends & New Technologies session is for flexographic printers looking to find more ways to add punch to their products. Learn how to most efficiently get the print to substrate and how to best measure color using ICC color management and tight process controls. Highlighted speakers include All Printing Resources’ Richard Black talking about on-press color control; Tim Claypole, WCPCSwanseaUniversity, focusing on printing for polymer electronics; and Tim Cain from cast & cure provider Breit Technologies explaining advancements made in reduced waste holographic technology.  

An entire morning is dedicated to educating attendees on the benefits of FTA’s FIRST 4.0 guidelines for process reproduction and improvement. In FIRST From the Front Lines hear flexo converter Prairie State Group speak on its FIRST experience; pre-press firm Schawk Inc. talk about ‘closing the loop’; and brewer Diageo discuss consistent reproduction.  

Substrates covers COF and rub resistance measurements, surface coating to meet the demands of modern day packaging and advanced press technology, and trends in coated liners. Steve Rote of M-real USA Corporation will discuss lightweighting, washboarding, mottle and the need to cut energy and starch costs.  

John McDonald of brand identity and packaging design firm Brandimage-Degrippes & Laga presents in Inks: Delivering the Message through Collaboration. McDonald explains the process of selecting brand color pallets for CPCs to positively interact with consumers through packaging. From design to store shelf, ink has an important role to play in communicating with the consumer. Other topics include: tonal ranges to meet design expectations; capturing accurate color data; printing the expected results; and delivery of the correct color.  

The Sustainability session provides converters with some clear answers for this term. Attorney Mark Hammond’s talks about the FTC’s Green Guides, educating printers on how to avoid making false marketing claims. This session should not to be missed, as the Green Guides are a basis for the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) Labeling for Recovery Project. Sonoco supports Hammond with a discussion on waste reduction, landfill diversion and recycling while Alcan Packaging reviews the pros and cons of climate initiatives.  

FQC – Flexo Quality Consortium gives the participants a well rounded review of the variables found in controlling the quality of flexographic printing. FQC acts as a standing committee that investigates process variables to further develop reproducible process concepts. Attendees learn how to create a correct data set using the newest advancements in G7 specifications and hear one converter explain why they’re participating in the G7 Characterization project. Presentations also cover ECG ink selection, anilox roller volume significance and ink spitting.  

New this year, at InfoFlex Exhibition leading consumer brand companies discuss topics such as color management, consistency and workflow. It offers more networking opportunities, a presentation by the winning Phoenix Challenge College Competition winners, and a display of FFTA’s Excellence in Flexography winners. 

This article was published in issue 2 of Labels & Labeling