FIRST 4 0 Introductions Dr John

FIRST 4. 0

Introductions • Dr. John Anderson: – FTA Technical Director – New FFTA TEST Founding Member • (Technical Education Services Team) • Previously: – Consultant Specializing in Print Simulators – EFTA Technical & Education Manager – Research at University of Wales Swansea FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 2

Flexographic Imaging Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 3

FIRST Overview • 10 years since FIRST Premier Edition • FIRST is now: – Undergoing significant changes • With major industry backing – Truly becoming a global document – End buyers want printers, prepress, and suppliers use it! • FIRST 4. 0 Expected late 2007 FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 4

Why FIRST? The intention of FIRST is to provide all participants in the flexographic reproduction process with a common set of guidelines, tutorials, and data that can be used as communication and publications tools. Specifications & Guidelines -- Not Standards FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 5

WHAT DOES FIRST OFFER? FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 6

What Does FIRST Offer? • Identify key flexographic procedures & guidelines • From beginning to end of the process • Improved communications & measurement procedures • Improved quality & consistency FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 7

What Does FIRST Offer? • Reduced cycle time and minimized rework • Controlled production costs • Enables consumer product companies to obtain true flexographic capabilities FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 8

What Does FIRST Offer? • What It Means To You: – Reduced Process Time – More Profits – Happier Customers FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 9

WHO NEEDS FIRST? FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 10

Who Needs FIRST? • • • Designers Prepress Printers Buyers Anyone involved with Flexo! You ALL need FIRST 4. 0! FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 11

Who Needs FIRST? Everyone! FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 12

The latest version in the FIRST series, but with a new name style! FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 13

Who Is Involved? • A committee of about 50, with 20 regular participants, these include: – ESKO, Smurfit-Stone, Harper Graphic Solutions, Cal Poly, RR Donnelley, Excelsior Packaging Group, Schawk, Inc. , Cyrel Packaging Graphics, Keating Toronto, Allison Systems, National Envelope, Rochester Institute of Technology, All Printing Resources, Inc. , The Procter & Gamble Company, Flint Group – Hood Packaging Inc, Color Resolution Inc, Diageo, Sun Chemical, Anderson & Vreeland, Clemson University, Kodak, Stork Cellramic Inc, Matthews Packaging Graphics, International Paper, W+D Machinery Company, Fastik Label, Vertis Inc. , The News & Observer, Clemson University, Tetrapak, – ATIF, Mac. Dermid Printing Solutions, AFTA, DFTA, Asahi Photoproducts, EFTA (UK) Ltd FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 14

Why Are They Involved? “I am involved with FIRST for one reason… Consistency! I believe this is the biggest hurdle Flexo printers face and one of the biggest desires of our customers. ” Scott Gilbert, Smurfit Stone FIRST Co-chair FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 15

MESSAGE TRACK FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 16

Message Track • Developed A New Message Track • Allow Clear Communication Of FIRST • Included In The FPPA Literature FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 17

Message Track • The enhanced FIRST 4. 0 features: – More user-friendly format – Expanded cross references & index – Improved workflows – Updated best practices & technical information – Quick online references & electronic tools FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 18

Message Track • FIRST 4. 0 is the answer to meet the needs of Providers and CPCs alike through: – Improved print quality & consistency of brand equity – Reduced scrap & rework to deliver "right the first time" – Optimized production costs FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 19

Message Track • FIRST helps Flexographers deliver high -quality, fast turnaround, & affordable printing worldwide. FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 20

CHANGES IN MORE DETAIL FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 21

Updated Section Content • ALL sections reviewed and updated • Industry changes addressed • Provides core text needed for successful implementation FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 22

User Tools • Previous versions told you what to do, but provided few tools to assist you. • FIRST 4. 0 is providing tools, such as press-side charts, Excel tables, guidelines, a la carte targets, etc. • Most tools are supplied digitally for easier use and communication. FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 23

Quick Reference Guides • • Summaries of each section Allows quick review of content Find what you need quickly Book contains full text for greater understanding • Supplied digitally for easy distribution FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 24

Indexing • Previous editions have not had an index • Users requested its addition • FIRST 4. 0 will have a complete index for all significant terms FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 25

FIRST 4. 1. 4. 2, etc. • FIRST 4. 0 is the latest, but with a new name style • The Flexo industry continues to change QUICKLY! • International participation will bring more updates • Industry does not want to wait 3 years for updates FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 26

FIRST Web Site • FIRST is currently using www. flexo. FIRST. com • October/November FTA will change to a database-driven Web site, as part of TEST – FIRST will have its own section • Updates expected to be posted every 3 to 6 months as FIRST 4. 1, 4. 2, etc. FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 27

International Distribution • FIRST 4. 0 is the first version to request significant participation from other FTAs – Some participation from the AFTA, ATIF, DFTA, & EFTA (Australia, Italy, Germany, & UK) – Future updates will be truly global collaborations – Becoming an International partnership – Expecting at least one co-chair for prepress will come from Germany; print from Italy, and we are looking for volunteers from other regions – Communications will be via electronic or Internet tools 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 28 FIRST Dr John Anderson

FLEXO – THE BIGGER PICTURE FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 29

FIRST as the Common Voice/Cause • Flexo has risen a long way, yet still has image and perception issues • For Flexo to grow globally, it must communicate its message and image to the industry and end buyers better – Procter & Gamble’s Mike Ferrari has stated that “FIRST can be the method by which the Flexo industry communicates its positive message Globally!” FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 30

FIRST as the Common Voice/Cause • To mean something, FIRST must: – Move from recommendations to everyday common practices. – Be accepted and promoted. • FIRST 4. 0 means applying process control and best practices without giving up a company’s individuality. FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 31

CONCLUSIONS FOR FIRST 4. O FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 32

In Conclusion – FIRST 4. 0 • FIRST is not "NEW, ” but 10 years old – Continues to develop and evolve • Provides guidelines and specifications – It is not a standard • Covers Flexo through communication, design, prepress, & print. FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 33

In Conclusion – FIRST 4. 0 • FIRST 4. 0 is the most user friendly version, with tools to assist implementation • FIRST 4. 0 provides Flexo with a common communication tool. FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 34

In Conclusion – FIRST 4. 0 • FIRST 4. 0 gives us a common voice and perspective to promote Flexo Globally! • FIRST 4. 0 needs to be implemented and talked about to promote Flexo. • FIRST 4. 0 is the start of a truly global Flexo industry collaboration. FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 35

Now For Something Different

FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 37

What Is TEST? • Technical Education Services Team • New restructuring of FFTA staffing • Development of educational materials for the Flexographic industry • To be delivered on-line and through certified instructors FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 38

Why TEST? • Currently there is great variation in education and its delivery • Need for greater consistency and transparency • Need for updated education materials • Need for updated delivery methods FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 39

Who Is TEST? • TEST Founding Members – Joe Tuccitto – Primary Developer – Dr John Anderson – Developer & Tester – Laura Hatch – Presentation & Communication FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 40

When Is TEST Starting? • In reality it has started • Officially it starts October 01 2007 • Through sponsorship it is funded for development until the end of 2009 • First modules expected later in 2007 FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 41

What Could TEST Mean To FPPA? • FFTA is looking to develop prepress as well as print modules • TEST is prepared to partner or work with FPPA to produce modules to suit its members needs, and benefit both • TEST staff are developers, FPPA provide knowledge and guidance FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 42

Plus An Extra!

AFTA Forum & Visits • I have just returned from 2 weeks with the Australian FTA • Visited 5 prepress suppliers (internal and commercial) • Heavy consolidation, especially NZ • Will answer any questions on this as well if you have any. FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 44

Any Questions? 45

Contact Details • • • Dr. John Anderson FTA Technical Director 198 Main Entrance Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15228, USA E-mail: drjohn@flexography. org Tel: 412 531 6209 Cell: 412 266 6995 FIRST 4. 0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 46