BOHEMIA, NY – Aug. 16, 2017 – Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) today announced the official launch of its latest publication, FIRST 6.0 
(Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications and Tolerances) will take place during Fall Conference 2017 in St. Louis, MO, Oct. 9-11. Initially released in November, 1997, this latest edition will be commemorating its 20 year anniversary since inception.
FIRST 6.0 outlines updates of the most current, state-of-the-art industry practices utilized for the finest results in printing quality and consistency. The Association’s publication is a globally hailed workbook representing a specific methodology for control, optimization, fingerprinting, characterization and process improvements for flexographic printers.
“When introduced to the flexographic printing process it was described to me as a crude rubber stamp process; only suited to print bread, ice, and grocery bags. Shortly after my involvement in prepress, I saw the process much differently,” shared Jeff Randazzo, FIRST founder and past chair.
“What I saw was the potential to refine the process, allowing it to compete with a quality that rivals offset and gravure printing, at a lower cost. The rest was straightforward. Just ask consumer product companies – FIRST moved the process to a new level.”
A special 20-year anniversary, hard cover edition of FIRST 6.0 will only be available for purchase at Fall Conference 2017. Those interested in obtaining the publication and are unable to attend Fall Conference, can get their copy of the newly released publication online at flexographic.wpengine.com/shop, beginning Oct. 9, 2017.
Fall Conference 2017 will take place at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch, with a block of rooms reserved at a discounted rate of $165 per night. Rooms are going fast. Visit FTA’s website for more information on how to save on registration, session details, how to exhibit, and more.
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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 1,350 member sites that represent more than 35,000 individuals. Foundation of FTA, founded in 1974, is the educational arm of FTA and is dedicated to supporting and advancing the flexographic printing industry.