BOHEMIA, NY – Oct. 9, 2017 – Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) today announced launch of its latest 
publication, FIRST 6.0 (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications and Tolerances) at Fall Conference 2017 in St. Louis, MO. Commemorating 20 years since initial release, of FIRST, Premiere Edition in 1997, this how-to guide to statistical process control is the latest, most comprehensive collection of flexographic knowledge, set with current, state-of-the-art industry guidelines for printing quality and consistency.
FIRST 6.0 provides a foundation for the methodology of control, optimization, fingerprinting, characterization and process improvement throughout the printing supply chain. Setting this publication apart from its predecessors is the expansion of standards in the appendix.
In addition, there have been major overhauls to the printing and prepress sections for streamlining and refinement of text. Updates to these areas allow printers, prepress houses, designers and customers to access the knowledge needed to continuously improve the entire printing procedure.
A special 20-year anniversary, hardcover edition of FIRST 6.0 will only be available for purchase at Fall Conference 2017. Those interested in obtaining the softcover publication, who are not attending Fall Conference, can get their copy of the newly released publication online at flexographic.wpengine.com/shop.
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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.