Three Companies, Three Technologies, Garner Flexographic Technical Association’s 2016 Technical Innovation Award

FORT WORTH, TX – March 6, 2016 – Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) tonight named three winners of its 2016 Technical Innovation Awards, a competition that for 20 years, has honored the achievements of those who have helped advance the flexographic industry toward better efficiency, greater productivity and unsurpassed performance. The awards were presented at FTA’s Annual Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the Association’s Annual Forum in Fort Worth, TX.

In the Prepress Graphics category, the 2016 Technical Innovation Award went to Flint Group for its nyloflex FTF Digital Plate Technology. This new flexo plate technology provides flat top dots by simply processing like any standard round top digital plate. No additional investment, equipment, processing steps or consumable items are required. Additionally, a special, textured plate surface eliminates the need for time consuming surface screening. The optimized texture of the plate provides even ink laydown and increases solid ink density at any imaging resolution, even standard resolutions of 2400 or 2540 dpi.

Also in the Prepress Graphics category, a 2016 Technical Innovation Award was bestowed to MacDermid Graphics Solutions for its LUX ITP 60 Technology. This innovative solution builds on its previously award-winning LUX Lamination technology, through providing the convenience of flat top dots right out of the box. The advancement was achieved by combining creative formulating and plate construction expertise, creating a simple, yet highly complex solution to address the existing concerns of current flat top users. No additional platemaking steps or equipment are needed to take advantage of the print quality and consistency that LUX flat top dots provide.

The third and final 2016 Technical Innovation Award, for the Heavy Metal category, went to PAD Peripheral Advanced Design FLEXOMAID for its AEROMAID Technology. The AEROMAID system cleans all types of anilox and gravure cylinders with remarkable efficiency, unparalleled accuracy and unrivalled repeatability, regardless of line screen or cell dimensions. Using innovative, affordable, eco-friendly and waterless technology, consistent cleaning performance, roll after roll is achieved. Its patented head measures the roll before cleaning to determine the right amount of detergent to use, minimizing fluid consumption for substantial savings.

A representative from each company was asked to the stage to accept the honor, and was presented with a trophy commemorating the achievement. Flexographic Technical Association congratulates all who entered this prestigious competition.

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About FTA: Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community—printers, suppliers, consumer product companies, institutions, prepress houses and others–together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns. It is a proponent of maintaining and advancing quality standards and includes 1,650 member sites that represent more than 1,400 companies and 60,000 individuals. Foundation of FTA, founded in 1974, is the educational arm of FTA and is dedicated to supporting and advancing the flexographic printing industry.