I hope that you all had a great time at Forum 2015. The venue—Nashville, TN—was terrific and the four-day program was even better. All of the Flexo Quality Consortium (FQC) events were well attended and well received.
FQC Pre Conference
The FQC Pre Conference on Sunday drew more than 150 attendees! Dr. Sam Ingram, Clemson University, and Jean Jackson, Graymills, cochaired the event. The session started with an opening presentation by Jason Palmer of Clemson University. Jason delivered his master’s thesis work, “The Ink Transfer Differences Between Photopolymer And Elastomer Printing Systems.” Jason’s work showed that overall, the elastomer printing system distributes more ink than the photopolymer variety and provides sharper print. Conversely, when using UV ink the photopolymer system delivered higher ink densities.
The second presentation featured Steve Smiley, of SmileyColor & Associates, presenting an update on the Spot Color Halftone Metric Optimization Organization (or more kindly referred to as SHMOO) titled “Managing Spot Color Tints.” Steve provided the background and defined the problem that computing TVI of spot colors using wavelength of maximum density does not work for many spot color inks. He then took us through the test procedure and the available options to compute. The results showed that colorimetry based metrics produce more consistent visual development and proposes Colorimetric Tone Value (CTV) as the preferred formula. Findings will be presented to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for approval.
Jean Jackson led a very relevant and open brainstorming session with attendees to identify technical or operational issues faced by the membership that would benefit from an organized FQC research effort. Lots of ideas were tossed into the hat and they will be sorted through and discussed with the FQC Executive Committee to determine what resources can be applied to flush out resolution and insight. Definitely more to come!
Research That Resonated
The FQC Forum session, titled “Research That Resonates,” was held Monday morning and was also very well attended. The session cochair, John Paine of C-P Flexible Packaging, and I were very pleased to feature the final reports of two active FQC project teams.
The first was the very hot topic of High Resolution Printing – Part A: Print Output Metrics presented by cochairs Alexander James of Harper Corporation of America and Ann Michaud from 3M. Alex took the audience through the development of a test image that will enable us to define the output improvements targeted and identify metrics. He walked us through the test image development and metrics. Ann then took the lead to discuss the kickoff of High Resolution Printing – Part B: Performance Comparison. The team will focus its efforts on the development of a design of experiment (DOE) and approach to the desired testing. The team is looking for volunteer printers to generate the data to evaluate today’s technology.
The second project, Post Print Near Neutral Dataset Assessment Gamut Alignment (Near Neutral Density – NND) was presented by Shawn Oetjen of Harper Corporation of America and Steve. This research intended to determine if post print using NNC can be used to recommend a common aim characterization dataset to the supply chain for color communication throughout a project. An experimental approach was used to generate data to analyze across coated and uncoated substrates. On both uncoated and coated substrates, the use of NNC calibration improves alignment and aligns with ISO 15339 Characterization Reference Print Conditions (CRPC) standard data sets.
Rossini Scholarship Winners
The FQC was again excited to present the research of the Rossini Scholarship winners. Nathan Pretorius, a student at Clemson University, was the first place winner. His research, “Printing A Capacitive Touchpad,” is certainly a topic of interest to our industry. Nathan’s project focused on demonstrating a mutual capacitive touch interface can be produced using the flexo printing process. He took us through how the interface works and defined his experiment. The variables included design considerations, available inks and electrical necessities. Press parameters and material testing was also reviewed.
There were three pressruns in total and in the third, success was achieved. Nathan was able to demonstrate the touchpad on his laptop and was able to use his finger on the pad to move the curser. Nathan plans additional research to further develop the technique.
The second place winners, Amanda Cockroft and Katherine Dayton, both from Western Michigan University, conducted research on repurposing flexographic printing plates. Amanda and Katherine were unable to make the event due to schedule conflicts. In an effort to keep the research in the program, we worked to tape the presentation. Due to unforeseen technical challenges, we were unable to make that happen. However, the research was included in the Forum materials, so attendees can review at an alternate time. (See page 32 of the May 2015 issue of FLEXO Magazine).
The research is very engaging as they looked at the very real need for this industry to dispose of or recycle photopolymer printing plates. The students reviewed the challenges of recycling and brainstormed opportunities. They partnered with a local plate company to provide real world options for their business and customers. They also did an experiment to actually shred photopolymer plate waste to characterize the resulting material. Some of the unique ideas investigated were outdoor furniture or fencing, gymnasium or running track material, and AstroTurf beads for artificial turf used as cushion in sports fields.
Gary Hilliard Memorial Scholarship
After the presentations the FQC Executive Committee made the announcement that the group has created the Flexo Quality Consortium Gary Hilliard Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will be used to support student research projects that will advance flexographic technology. A very heartfelt thank you to FTA and the FQC Executive Committee for supporting this well deserved honor. More information to come!
The FQC Executive Committee would also like to thank Colleen Twomey, California Polytechnic State University, and Al Marquardt, Kimberly-Clark Corp., for their valuable service to the committee. Both Colleen and Al remain very active with the FTA and supporting the work of the FQC.
The FQC Executive Committee would also like to welcome two new members: Andrew Knapp of Flint Group and Pam Dorrough of 3M have agreed to join the committee. Andrew and Pam are well known faces within the industry and contribute years of experience to FQC projects and to FTA member companies through active engagement.
SWG Update
The spring of 2015 was fairly quiet for the Standards Working Group (SWG) as there were only a few standards being balloted since the ISO TC 130 held its Plenary Meeting in mid November in Beijing. As China has taken on the secretary role for ISO TC 130, it is now common for meetings not sponsored by other “p” members of ISO TC 130 to be held in China.
All Working Group updates include ISOs that have seen developments since the last SWG update in the March 2015 issue of FLEXO Magazine.
Working Group 1 – Terminology continues to work on and further expand the documents on terminology related to graphic reproduction, including prepress function, on press activities and postpress processes.
- ISO 5776, Graphic technology – Symbols for text proof correction
- ISO 12637, Graphic technology – Parts 1, 2, 3, 4
Working Group 2 – Pre-Press Data Exchange had a relatively quiet spring.
- ISO 12641-1, Graphic technology – Prepress digital data exchange – Color targets for input scanner calibration
- ISO 12641-2, Graphic technology — Prepress digital data exchange — Advanced targets for scanner calibration
- ISO 16684-2, Graphic technology — Extensible metadata platform (XMP) — Part 2: Validation using RELAX NG.
- ISO 16760, Graphic technology — Prepress data exchange — Preparation and visualization of RGB images to be used in RGB based graphics arts workflows
- ISO 17972-1 Graphic technology — Color data exchange format (CxFx) Part 1: Relationship to CxF3
- ISO 17972-2, Graphic technology — Color data exchange format (CxF/x) — Part 2: Scanner target data
- ISO 17972-3, Graphic technology — Color data exchange format (CxF/x) — Part 3: Output target data
- ISO 17972-4, Graphic technology — Color data exchange format (CxF/x) — Part 4: Spot color characterization data (CxF/X-4)
- ISO 18619, Image technology color management — Black point compensation
- ISO 18620, Graphic Technology – Tone response curve adjustment
- ISO 19445, Graphic Technology – Metadata for graphic arts workflow – Part 1: XMP metadata for image and document proofing
- ISO 20616, Graphic technology — File format for quality control software and metadata
- PDF/X – WG2/TF2o. ISO 19593, Graphic technology — Use of PDF to associate processing steps and content data. ISO/PWI 15930-2016, Graphic technology — Harmonization of ISO 15930 with ISO 16612-2 and ISO 32000-2
- PDF/VT – WG2/TF3o. ISO/PWI 16612-3 Graphic technology — Variable data exchange — Part 3: Use of PDF/X-4 for content substitution
Working Group 3 – Process Control & Related Metrology (courtesy of convener Dr. Kraushaar)
- ISO 12646, Graphic technology — Displays for color proofing — Characteristics and viewing conditions• ISO/DIS 14861, Graphic technology — Color Proofing using electronic displays
- ISO 12647-6:2012, Graphic technology — Process control for the production of halftone color separations, proofs and production prints — Part 6: Flexographic printing
- ISO 12647-7:2007, Graphic technology – Process control for the manufacture of halftone color separation, proofs and production prints – Part 7: Off press proofing processes working directly from digital data
- ISO/TS 15311-1, Graphic Technology – Requirements for printed matter utilizing digital printing technologies for the commercial and industrial production – Part 1: Parameters and measurement measures
- ISO/PWI 15311-2, Graphic Technology – Requirements for printed matter utilizing digital printing technologies for the commercial and industrial production – Part 2: Commercial production printing
- ISO/PWI 15311-3, Graphic Technology – Requirements for printed matter utilizing digital printing technologies for the commercial and industrial production – Part 3: Large format signage printing
- ISO/FDIS 15339-1, Graphic technology – Printing of digital data – Part 1: Basic principles
- ISO/FDIS 15339-2, Printing from digital data across multiple technologies – Part 2: Characterized reference printing conditions
- ISO/PWI 20654 Spot color tone value
Working Group 4 – Media & Materials (courtesy of convener Dr. Berthold)
- ISO 2846-1 Graphic technology – Color and transparency of printing ink sets for 4-color printing — Part 1: Sheet fed and heat set web offset lithographic printing
- ISO 2846-2 Graphic technology – Color and transparency of printing ink sets for 4-color printing — Part 2: News printing
- ISO 12636 rev. Graphic technology – Blankets for offset printing
- ISO/WD 12040 rev Graphic technology — Prints and printing inks — Assessment of light fastness using filtered xenon arc light
The most recent meeting of the ISO TC 130 Graphic Arts standards committee took place May 11-16 in Bologna, Italy.
If you would like to review and comment on any of the upcoming ballots on these standards, please contact FTA’s Director of Education Joe Tuccitto.
About the Authors: Jean Engelke is the chair of FTA’s Flexo Quality Consortium. She has earned an AAS in Graphic and Design Technology, a BA in Printing Management, an MBA, and an MA in Industrial Engineering Management. Jean started her career teaching Printing and Paper Science at Western Michigan University. She has held positions in R&D, engineering and global product marketing with Appleton Papers, Alcan Packaging and Eastman Kodak Company. Currently she is the Business Development Manager – Packaging Group for RR Donnelley.
Dr. Danny Rich obtained a master’s degree in physics in 1977 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA. In 1998, he joined Sun Chemical Corp. to direct the Sun Chemical Color Research Laboratory in the Daniel J. Carlick Technical Center in Carlstadt, NJ. He has been awarded the Nickerson Service award from the Inter-Society Color Council in 1999, the National Printing Ink Manufacturers award for Technical Achievement in 2008, a Thomas Alva Edison award for innovation by the Research Council of New Jersey in 2008, and the Robert F. Reed Medal from the Printing Industries of America in 2013.