FLEXO: Tuesday begins with presentations from each of the three 2017 Technical Innovation Award winners: Esko, Flint Group and Mark Andy. What can attendees expect to learn?
Marsoun: The Technical Innovation Award represents this year’s top advances, as decided by an esteemed panel of industry experts. For the winners, this award means their products have been recognized as something that will make a difference to flexo printers. The purpose of this session is not to give each winning company a free commercial, but rather to educate the audience about products that are decidedly noteworthy and very likely will benefit many flexo printers. Audience members who like to keep a pulse on the latest technology should be sure not to miss this.
FLEXO: The remainder of day two consists of a step-by-step walkthrough of the magazine cover’s printing, with each component getting its own presenter and a Q&A. The entire series is moderated by another FTA Flexo Hall of Famer, Mark Samworth. What’s the thinking behind structuring things this way?
Marsoun: Mark Samworth took a break from speaking at FTA events and we realized it just wasn’t the same without him, so we had to bring him back. In all seriousness, Mark is a master at breaking down complex processes and communicating them in an engaging way, so we thought it would be a great idea for him to help guide the audience through the process of printing the FLEXO cover. He will help clearly explain the entire process and how each speaker’s respective part fits into the bigger story—think of him as its narrator.
FLEXO: The final day of Fall Conference 2017 begins with “Specifying Hue Angles to Establish CMYK Starting Points.” Why is reviewing ISO 15339 and identifying common practices for establishing CMYK starting points important?
“There is no better opportunity to ask your most challenging flexo questions to our panel of top industry experts. If there is something you have been struggling with and just can’t find the right answer, send your problem to our team and let them break it down for you.”
Marsoun: The ability to accurately describe and measure color is critical for successful reproduction. For many years, our industry has been specifying process colors using only density, which is a very one-dimensional description of color that certainly does not tell the whole story—only how light or dark it is. With the availability of accurate spectral measurement devices, there is no reason we shouldn’t be looking at a much more accurate way to describe color. Using ISO 15339 as a reference, Mark Mazur will explain how we can use hue angle combined with a defined color gamut to much more effectively specify colors.
FLEXO: You return to the stage for the final session of the Conference—an “ask the experts”-type discussion where industry veterans can work through common production problems in areas like inks, anilox rolls and presses. If any attendee has been holding on to a question for the past two-and-one-half days, is this the time to ask it?
Marsoun: There is no better opportunity to ask your most challenging flexo questions to our panel of top industry experts. If there is something you have been struggling with and just can’t find the right answer, send your problem to our team and let them break it down for you.
FLEXO: Of course, no Fall Conference is complete without the Tabletop Exhibit. What are the opportunities awaiting attendees during the five-and-one-half hours split across two days?
Marsoun: As with all FTA events, one of the most important benefits is being in the same place with all the top flexo experts in North America. The Tabletop Exhibit is attendees’ opportunity to learn more about the latest products, seek technical guidance from the many suppliers, or just catch up with old friends.
FLEXO: What aspects and needs of a printer’s day-to-day job are covered by the companies at this year’s Tabletop Exhibit?
Marsoun: The Tabletop Exhibit will feature suppliers representing all aspects of flexo printing including, but not limited to, design, prepress, plate making, printing and converting. In fact, I can’t think of any aspects of both flexo and multiprocess printing that won’t be covered by the companies at this year’s Tabletop Exhibit.
FLEXO: This year’s Fall Conference is the first to coincide with the annual Gary Hilliard Memorial Golf Tournament, taking place Sunday, Oct. 8 at Gateway National Golf Links. Why should attendees make it out to St. Louis a day early?
Marsoun: Gary Hilliard meant so much to so many people in the flexo industry. He was dedicated to making the flexographic process better and became a pillar within FTA. After more than four decades in the industry, he was inducted into the FTA Flexo Hall of Fame. The Gary Hilliard Memorial Golf Tournament is a tribute to our friend. All proceeds from the tournament will go to the Gary Hilliard FQC Scholarship Fund, which awards grants to graphic communications students who are conducting research in flexo. In addition, the event is great opportunity to have a fun day on the course with fellow members of FTA. Don’t miss this great networking opportunity!
FLEXO: I work at a printer and I’ve got a Fall Conference registration in my cart at the online FTA Store. Why should I click “purchase”?
Marsoun: This year’s Fall Conference will be packed with great content for flexo printers. At the core of the conference is a step-by-step explanation of how a group of industry experts took a job from design all the way through production using the FIRST principles and incorporating some of the newest, most innovative technologies on the market. Along the way, you will pick up tons of new information and tips you can take back and put right into practice. We also have sessions on FIRST, color, troubleshooting and innovation, and we round it out with the Tabletop Exhibit. With all this content and networking opportunity, it is an event you can’t afford to miss.
FLEXO: It has a famous zoo, its own style of barbecue, a baseball team and—of course—the iconic Arch. But what makes St. Louis an ideal place to host Fall Conference 2017?
Marsoun: St. Louis, “The Gateway City,” is centrally located in America’s Heartland and is easy to access from anywhere in the U.S. The venue offers great food, music and nightlife, in addition to several must-see attractions. If you ever wanted to visit the Gateway Arch, this is your chance. For the beer connoisseur, St. Louis is known for its many craft breweries and you can even participate in an Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour. There is no doubt it will be the perfect location for the conference. I look forward to seeing everyone there!