California Polytechnic State University

The 2018 Gary Hilliard FQC Scholarship Recipient Researches the Influence of Varying Anilox Roll & Tint Sleeve

The Gary Hilliard FQC Scholarship, made available through the Foundation of FTA (FFTA), provides a grant for students to conduct a flexography-focused research project. I was awarded this scholarship in 2018 to pursue a project examining how press setup variables influence soft-touch coating results. Specifically, I wanted to discover if consumers could discern between samples … Continued

Defining Color: Second-Place 2018 FFTA Rossini Scholarship Recipient Researches Accurate and Consistent Color Reproduction

Color matching is a challenging task that requires communication across many different parties; brand owners, printers and ink companies all need to stay in the loop regarding color management procedures. Color management is particularly important for international brands that print their brand colors at various plants worldwide and expect all of their suppliers to maintain … Continued

The Next Generation of Flexographers Glimpse the Industry’s Future at Forum 2019

Forum 2019‘s “FQC: Research Is the Key to a Successful Flexo Future,” co-chaired by Jason Cagle, MacDermid Graphics Solutions and Jean Engelke, FFTA Board chair-elect, spotlighted research projects completed by a handful of students, as well as a Flexo Quality Consortium (FQC) project report and, for the first time, featured the Phoenix Challenge College Competition … Continued

FIRST in Motion: Final Results

Measuring Samples from the Forum 2018 Print Project at Different Locations This is the last in a series of articles chronicling the wide web, flexible packaging pouch job at the center of the Forum 2018 FIRST in Motion session. Other articles in the series include: FIRST in Motion: Objectives by FTA Hall of Fame Member … Continued

“FIRST in Motion”: Characterization

The Details Behind the Profiling Portion of the Forum 2018 Print Project This is the fifth installment in a series of articles chronicling the wide web, flexible packaging pouch job at the center of the Forum 2018 FIRST in Motion session. Other articles in the series include: FIRST in Motion: Objectives by FTA Hall of … Continued

“FIRST in Motion”: ISO Standards

Defining, Aligning & Applying Them in Real-Time Production of the Forum 2018 Print Project This is the fourth installment in a series of articles chronicling the wide web, flexible packaging pouch job at the center of the Forum 2018 FIRST in Motion session. Other articles in the series include: FIRST in Motion: Objectives by FTA … Continued

“FIRST in Motion”: Ink & Press

The Steps Taken to Optimize Crucial Parts of the Project & the Relevant Sections of FIRST to Follow This is the third installment in a series of articles chronicling the wide web, flexible packaging pouch job at the center of the Forum 2018 FIRST in Motion session. Other articles in the series include: FIRST in … Continued

“FIRST in Motion”: Technology & Methods

How Each Step of FIRST Was Followed & Special Considerations Taken During the Project This, along with “FIRST in Motion: Scope, Timelines & Schedule” by Bob Coomes, Plastic Packaging Technologies LLC comprises the second installment in a series of articles chronicling the wide web, flexible packaging pouch job at the center of the Forum 2018 … Continued

“FIRST in Motion”: Scope, Timelines & Schedule

Planning the Forum 2018 Print Project This, along with “FIRST in Motion: Technology and Methods” by Mark Samworth, Esko, comprises the second installmentin a series of articles chronicling the wide web, flexible packaging pouch job at the center of the Forum 2018 FIRST in Motion session. Other articles in the series include: FIRST in Motion: … Continued