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Flexo Quality Consortium FQC LogoGreetings from the Flexo Quality Consortium (FQC) Executive Committee! We have got a full plate of projects underway and they are gaining momentum as we head through the holidays. They include the CxF Characterization Comparison, the Flexographic Plate and Stickyback Optimization Project, the Environmental Impact on Flexo Printing – Temperature Effects of NW Waterbase and UV Ink, and the High Resolution Printing Project.

I would like to take this moment to thank all of the participants on these project teams and the printer members that are donating their valuable press time to run trials. We cannot do any of this work without our volunteers. Press time is valuable and scarce, and resources are already pretty thin. Your dedication to the mission of the FQC, FTA and our industry is so greatly appreciated.

This industry is unique. When it matters most, we all come together to further our technology and grow our businesses. The data and insight we collect is not put on a shelf. It is communicated to the standards groups that define the expectations of our process. From ISO to CGATS, and even the FTA’s Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances (FIRST) document, the Standards Working Group (SWG) is communicating our findings and reporting back on how our information is impacting change—change to benefit the flexographic process. There is always time to get involved with projects or the SWG. Let us know if you are interested in being heard!

The 2017 Forum planning is already underway. The theme of Forum is “Trending Now.” You’ll be seeing a lot more on the content in the very near future. Plan on attending the FQC Pre Conference session! This is where you will hear the latest SWG update, final project reports, and a feature presentation on expanded gamut printing from a faculty member at Clemson University and the Rossini Scholarship winner. Mark your calendars. Plan ahead. Arrive with plenty of time to sit in on what will prove to be a session to remember—#Research!

SWG Update 

The fall of 2016 was pretty busy for the SWG. Several draft documents that went through ballot last spring and summer were discussed. The ISO TC 130 held its plenary meetings at Adobe Headquarters in San Jose, CA. As a result of the meetings and review of current ballots, there will be new drafts for further balloting.

The next meeting of the ISO TC 130 Graphic Arts standards committee is set for June 4-11, 2017 at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. The meetings will be a full seven days—the longest TC 130 meeting in the history of the committee.

Working Group 2

The prepress data exchange group saw updates to:

Working Group 3 

The process control and related metrology group saw updates to:

Joint Working Group 7 

The color management group, in conjunction with the ICC, has the following updates:

Joint Working Group 8 

The color measurement group, in conjunction with ISO TC 42 Photography, has one update:

If you would like to review and comment on any of the upcoming ballots on these standards, please contact FTA Director of Education Joe Tuccitto.

About the Authors: Jean Engelke is the chair of FTA’s Flexo Quality Consortium. She has earned an AAS in Graphic and Design Technology, a BA in Printing Management, an MBA, and an MA in Industrial Engineering Management. Jean started her career teaching Printing and Paper Science at Western Michigan University. She has held positions in R&D, engineering and global product marketing with Appleton Papers, Alcan Packaging and Eastman Kodak Company. Currently she is the Business Development Manager – Packaging Group for RR Donnelley.

Dr. Danny Rich obtained a master’s degree in physics in 1977 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA. In 1998, he joined Sun Chemical Corp. to direct the Sun Chemical Color Research Laboratory in the Daniel J. Carlick Technical Center in Carlstadt, NJ. He has been awarded the Nickerson Service award from the Inter-Society Color Council in 1999, the National Printing Ink Manufacturers award for Technical Achievement in 2008, a Thomas Alva Edison award for innovation by the Research Council of New Jersey in 2008, the Robert F Reed Medal from the Printing Industries of America in 2013, the Mattiello Memorial award from the American Coatings Association in 2015.