FTA Trainings & education

FTA education consists of FIRST Certification as well as basic online courses.

FIRST Live - NEW in-person, hands-on training

Designed to provide foundational knowledge in flexographic printing, FIRST Level 1: Introduction to Flexography is now available as an in-person training experience—delivered at the customer’s facility by an FTA-certified instructor. The new offering is available to any company in the industry and is ideal for groups as small as five employees.

The program covers key concepts such as flexo terminology, printing press components, ink and substrate basics, and print quality evaluation. Companies can use this on-site training to onboard new hires, reinforce internal standards, or build a shared understanding of best practices across teams.

FIRST Certifications - Online Courses

Individual Certifications

FIRST Individual Certifications exist at the employee level and consist of three types: FIRST Press Operator Certification, FIRST Prepress Operator Certification, FIRST Implementation Specialist Certification

Employees who hold a FIRST Certification are more knowledgeable about color consistency, process control, and print quality.

Company Certifications

At the organizational level, there is FIRST Company Certification. Attainable only once a specific percent of an organization’s personnel has attained FIRST Individual Certification, it demonstrates adherence to FIRST methodology across every shift, every plant, and every job. It instills absolute confidence in customers and is evidence of a true print partner.

Flexography 101 Online Course

For Industry Newcomer you will gain valuable insights through clear, easy-to-understand explanations of essential flexographic concepts. For Experienced Professionals you will reinforce and refresh your foundational knowledge with updated and reaffirmed core principles.

Books and Booklets

FIRST
Book

FIRST Provides all members of the flexographic supply chain with the technical information needed to produce high-quality and consistent print, pressrun after pressrun.

Flexography: Principles and Practices Book

Originally introduced in 1962 and updated significantly throughout its history, Flexography: Principles & Practices 6.0 is a complete re-write of its predecessors. It features 29 chapters written across 600 pages (with additional content via download), hundreds of vibrant and full-color illustrations, a detailed glossary of terms, and an extensive troubleshooting guide.

Virtual Workshops & Modules

Learn new skills and fundamental principles, keep up-to-date with ever-changing best practices, brush up on foundational elements of the trade.