The Ultimate Guide to Flexographic Quality.
Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances (FIRST) 7.0 provides all members of the flexographic supply chain with the technical information needed to produce high-quality and consistent print, pressrun after pressrun.
FIRST seeks to understand customers’ graphic requirements for reproduction and translates those aesthetic requirements into specifications for each phase of the flexographic printing process, including: customers, designers, prepress providers, raw material and equipment suppliers, and printers. Its intention is to provide all participants in the flexographic reproduction process with a common set of guidelines, tutorials and data to be used as communication and production tools.
FIRST Is a Set of Specifications, Not Standards
When followed, these specifications facilitate producing a predictable, consistent result. The process and specifications supported intend:
To improve quality and consistency through improved communication and measurement procedures.
To reduce cycle time and minimize rework through improved process control methodology.
To control production costs through streamlined raw materials and process improvement methodology.
To grow the overall flexographic printing industry through increased market share of an expanding market.
To outline key flexographic procedures and guidelines to be used throughout the process, including during implementation, design, prepress and printing.
To enable CPCs to obtain optimal flexographic print quality, which equals or exceeds offset lithography and gravure printing.
- To improve quality and consistency through improved communication and measurement procedures.
- To reduce cycle time and minimize rework through improved process control methodology.
- To control production costs through streamlined raw materials and process improvement methodology.
- To grow the overall flexographic printing industry through increased market share of an expanding market.
- To outline key flexographic procedures and guidelines to be used throughout the process, including during implementation, design, prepress and printing.
- To enable CPCs to obtain optimal flexographic print quality, which equals or exceeds offset lithography and gravure printing.
New in FIRST 7.0
An All-New Section
The new Measurement & Verification Section eliminates redundancy and enables quick referencing in a production environment.
More, More, More
Over 50 new pages of new content throughout all sections.
Methodology That Matters
FIRST Methodology was modeled after CGATS TR 012-2003. In 2020, TR 012 was updated; that update has been integrated in the Communication & Implementation section.
Evolving Designer Needs
As the designer’s responsibilities have changed, the Design Section has also changed to reflect new process and procedures used in flexographic package design.
Updates for Prepress
Extensive updates on color proofing, detailed descriptions of spectrophotometer measuring modes, an entirely new section focused on proofing for expanded gamut, and more.
Added Essential Information
Appendices provide abstracts and important highlights to more than 120 different standards referenced in FIRST 7.0. Also included are The Optimal Method—a new print calibration technique using tone curves to match an ICC profile—as well as results of the FQC Opacity of Substrates and White Ink Project, to name a few.
What Do People Think About FIRST?
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Steve Smiley, SmileyColor & Associates LLC” link=”” color=”#DB0000″ class=”” size=””]”FIRST is the most comprehensive printing document on the planet. It provides communication tools and best practices to align an entire supply chain with customers’ expectations. FIRST is why the flexo industry is growing globally, as the best printing process known to man!”[/perfectpullquote]
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Mark Samworth” link=”” color=”#DB0000″ class=”” size=””]”Before you go about re-inventing the wheel with a new and unique flexo procedure or specification, check the FIRST document to see if such a procedure or specification already exists. Doing so will save you time and money, and will enhance your credibility.”[/perfectpullquote]
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Robb Frimming” link=”” color=”#DB0000″ class=”” size=””]”FIRST 7.0 further perfects the industry-leading format of bringing flexo best practices to the masses. In addition to updates in implementation, design, prepress and print, FIRST 7.0 takes the beginning steps to better organize and present industry standards directly tied to flexography.”[/perfectpullquote]
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Richard Black” link=”” color=”#DB0000″ class=”” size=””]”The way I describe FIRST is to say that, simply put, FIRST is a process control manual for flexo. If you want to establish baseline targets or procedures for virtually any portion of the flexographic printing process, then you absolutely need to start with FIRST.”[/perfectpullquote]
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