Downloadable Document Assists Designers in Producing Flexo-Friendly Files

Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) the world’s leading technical society dedicated to advancing the flexographic industry, today announced the release of a free Design Guide based on its newest publication, FIRST 4.0 (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances.) The educational text can be downloaded as a PDF from FTA’s website. It also appears, in its entirety, in the July issue of FLEXO(R) Magazine.

The Design Guide boasts 35 pages that speak directly to the average graphics professional who may or may not have experience designing for flexography. It is based on the guidelines outlined in FIRST 4.0, but uses terms, definitions and language universal to artists and graphics firms, as well as all their industry partners—printers, prepress houses, brand owners, etc.

“The impetus for this project came about because, while the Design Section in FIRST 4.0 is robust, it is written with the printer and prepress provider in mind,” said Gary Hilliard, Hood Packaging, FFTA chairman, who helped spearhead the project.

“Our aim was to increase awareness of how-to design for flexographic printing and the packaging industry as a whole. There are an increasing number of companies bringing design functions in-house and hiring people just out of college with degrees in design. They have no concept of what the packaging field is all about, and package design may not have been their core competency. This new guide will serve as a good foundation for designing for flexo,” Hilliard added.

Work on the project began in mid 2008, under the auspices of FTA’s Strategic Planning Initiative, as a collaborative effort between the association’s Wide Web Leadership Council and Prepress Leadership Council. The group charged with overseeing the project was small and focused: Mark Coffman, Dixie Graphics; Greg Price, Mark-Maker Co.; and Hilliard. While the trio authored all of the revisions themselves, the content was reviewed by experts who had contributed portions of the Design Section of FIRST 4.0, as well as graphic designers who were familiar with the flexo packaging industry, and even some Consumer Products Companies (CPCs).

What’s Changed
Much of the content found in the Design Section of FIRST 4.0 was deemed sufficient. In fact, in many instances, the information was simply condensed, reduced, cut or slightly re-organized to cater to a designer’s needs and priorities. 
 
“Details about color management were rolled into the proofing area. In FIRST 4.0, the part on contract proofing already mentioned color management systems, so to have a separate section on that for designers could take them off their goals or lead them down a different road for their design.” said Price.
 
In their experience, Hilliard and Coffman have found that many CPCs are more than willing to allow flexo printers to work directly with the package designer. And the sooner a printer/converter can insert himself/herself (or the Design Guide) into the loop, the less time and effort will be wasted.

“We don’t want people to fall in love with designs that have unprintable elements,” asserted Coffman, who cited examples, such as reverses out of process, screened type, etc.

“Any time you work with a new customer, you can give him/her this and say, ‘Please give this to whoever will be producing the actual design.’ And let that designer know that, if there are any questions, to get with the printer to discuss them,” said Hilliard.

About FIRST
Since the premier edition of FIRST (debuting in 1997), the book has become the most comprehensive, most frequently referred to, technical resource for the flexographic industry. Its aim is to provide all participants in the flexographic reproduction process (i.e. customers, designers, prepress providers, raw material & equipment suppliers, and printers) with a common set of guidelines, tutorials, targets and tolerances that can be used as communication and production tools. When adhered to, these specifications improve quality, reduce cycle times, minimize rework and waste, and facilitate producing a predictable, consistent result, printrun after printrun.

FIRST 4.0 can be purchased at www.ftastore.com. The rate for FTA Members is $99.00 and for non-members, $198.00. For more information about FIRST contact FTA at 631-737-6020.