Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA), the educational foundation representing the world’s leading professional society dedicated to advancing the flexographic print process, today announced it has added four new Regional Workshops to its 2008 tour.
The workshops “FIRST 4.0 on the Go!” have been designed to educate attendees on the fundamentals and best practices of flexography and how they align with the specifications identified in FIRST 4.0 (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances). Attendees will gain a solid understanding of all facets of the flexo print process from inks to doctor blades to anilox rollers, and how each component, when adhered to FIRST specifications, will help to achieve predictable and consistent results printrun after printrun.
Joe Tuccitto, FTA education director commented “Since the introduction of TEST (Technical Education Services Team) FFTA is working hard at aligning the learning outcomes of all of our educational endeavors to FIRST specifications.”
The 2008 schedule includes visits to Appleton, WI on September 25; Indianapolis, IN on October 8; Toronto, ON on October 14 and Atlanta, GA on November 12. More dates will soon be added to the 2009 calendar.
Bill Pope, FTA’s technical director added “We were careful to select locations that were easily accessible to the broad population of our membership. Additionally, we structured the content so that it covered every major aspect of the flexographic printing process and how each one relates to FIRST. It is in the best interest of companies who wish to attend to send two or more employees from different departments to get the most from these informative workshops.”
Each one-day workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and is ideal for anyone who works in the pressroom and who wants to gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of flexo and how they tie into FIRST. Topics include: Communication & Implementation; Design for Flexo; Near Neutral Calibration; Photopolymer Platemaking; Automated Workflow Systems; Ink Maintenance: Doctor Blades; Anilox Rolls & Ink Metering; and What You Need to Know About FIRST 4.0.
The cost per workshop for FTA members is $95.00 and $195.00 for non-members. Each workshop includes breaks, networking opportunities and lunch. For more information contact Shelley Rubin or visit FTA's website.
About FFTA’s Regional Workshop Program
FFTA’s Regional Workshop program was developed in late 2006 in response to the Association’s ongoing Strategic Planning Initiative (SPI). The primary objective is to provide the flexographic industry with affordable, comprehensive training solutions for every skill level. Each workshop takes place in a different location around the USA, Canada and Mexico.
About TEST:
As part of its Strategic Planning Initiative (SPI), FFTA has launched TEST, a joint effort between FFTA and complying educational institutions to expand technical skills required by a continually advancing flexographic process, bringing state-of-the-art professional development solutions to the flexographic industry. TEST subject matter, instruction, and course materials will be closely aligned with FIRST to ensure the consistent delivery and learning outcomes of all educational training programs.
Education has always been a priority to Ron and Katherine Harper, as evidenced by their support of numerous secondary and post-secondary flexographic programs across North America. When the couple learned of TEST and the educational benefits it will offer the industry, they immediately stepped forward with the initial funding that will enable TEST to move forward in building a top-quality educational and training program that will support the growth of the North American flexographic printing industry.
Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns.
