FIRST Prepress Operator Certification
FLEXO: Was there any part of the material taught during the FIRST Prepress Operator Certification training that conflicted with how you were used to doing things?
GN: There were aspects of the training that weren’t directly applicable to our internal processes. Conflict is not the word to describe it. Some elements discussed in the training are handled by our plate vendors. Going through those parts of the training helped bring a better understanding to how our vendors fit within the process. Corrugated represents only one part of the flexographic industry, so there were also areas that weren’t as applicable to what we do, but it was helpful in acquiring a broader picture of the larger flexographic industry.
FLEXO: Did the training’s material cover things you hadn’t seen before, or was it refreshing what you already knew?
GN: It was a nice balance of both refreshing knowledge and processes that our team already knew, and introducing team members to new knowledge pertaining to what we do day-to-day. FIRST training also introduced ideas relating to other segments of the flexographic industry that we may not always think about in the corrugated market.
FLEXO: What task or responsibility have you changed the way you do the most since completing the certification?
GN: Certification has helped us expand our understanding of all the tasks in our workflows to include a better grasp on the flexographic work running through our facility.
FLEXO: What’s different about how you build graphic files since achieving FIRST Prepress Operator Certification?
GN: A while back, we identified that our teams had a good grasp on litho and digital printing, but flexography always had the feeling like it was this mystical print process and understanding it was out of reach. After that realization, we really focused on educating our internal teams about the flexographic process, why we do what we do with flexographic art files, and how we do it. FIRST Certifications have helped us bridge that flexography knowledge gap that once existed by having individuals with FIRST Certifications in key positions throughout our process. I would say our teams are much more mindful of the intricacies of flexographic printing now than we were a year ago.
FLEXO: How has working with customers during the proofing phase changed?
GN: While we have always strived to work closely with customers and recommended changes to flexographic art prior to the proofing stage, FIRST training has reinforced the importance of having an open dialogue with our customers early in the process. We feel that we can be the most successful when we can have that open conversation early on with our customers to explain how we would like to adjust their art and why we feel it would result in a successful finished product.
Since going through FIRST training, we have presented a brief training about designing art for flexography to some of our customers and our sales team with the intent to continue to present that training to more customers.
FLEXO: What would you say about FIRST Prepress Operator Certification to someone in your position at another company?
GN: FIRST Certification was valuable for understanding the prepress role and how it fits with, and functions in, the overall process. Some of what we learned in the training strengthened existing knowledge that is used daily. Some of the training was a needed refresher. Some was completely new. FIRST training did great job weaving the existing and new knowledge together to create a more complete understanding of flexography.
FIRST Press Operator Certification
FLEXO: What was your initial reaction to the idea of FIRST Press Operator Certification?
GN: Excited about the opportunity to receive structured training from FTA.
FLEXO: Was the material presented in the training new to you, or a review of things you already knew and practiced?
GN: This varied quite a bit on experience level, but most had little knowledge of the history of printing and the different methods of printing and equipment.
FLEXO: Did any of what was taught contradict how you were used to performing a specific task or procedure?
GN: Yes, but that had more to do with not understanding the correct procedure or order in which you do things.
FLEXO: How has certification changed the way you do your job? What’s something you’re doing differently on the pressroom floor because of FIRST?
GN: As mentioned, it helped operators understand there is a proper order in which to do things in all stages of the printing process.
FLEXO: Where do the results of certification show up: Do you find makeready speeds to be faster? Has waste been reduced? Are results more consistent and repeatable?
GN: It has improved troubleshooting and ink control.
FLEXO: Is there a particular aspect of flexography about which you now feel more knowledgeable or better understand?
GN: A much better understanding of the purpose and process of a press characterization.
FLEXO: How would you describe FIRST Press Operator Certification to a press operator at another printer?
GN: Flexographic printing is a very well understood process and not an art. Some operators that have never been exposed to this level of training feel they are solving problems that nobody else has ever encountered. FIRST takes out the experimentation in troubleshooting problems through defined processes.
FIRST Implementation Specialist Certification
FLEXO: What was your reaction when you heard about FIRST Implementation Specialist Certification?
GN: Again, excited about the opportunity to receive structured training from FTA.
FLEXO: One of the central tenets of Implementation Specialist Certification is improving communication externally—with customers, printers and suppliers—and internally—with coworkers. Have you noticed a change in your interactions with others in the supply chain and in your office?
GN: Yes, both supervisor to supervisor and in the inkroom. External communication is somewhat limited between production Implementation Specialists and customer and vendors. However, interactions between our internal customer has improved.
FLEXO: How does the certification impact your ability to do your job effectively?
GN: It has helped all of us—operators, supervisors and the front-end team—speak the same language in regard to flexography.
FLEXO: What’s something you couldn’t do well before FIRST Implementation Specialist Certification, that you can ably handle now?
GN: It has helped us communicate more efficiently day-to-day because we are all using the same terminology and have the same understanding of flexography.