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Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications
and Tolerances (FIRST) 4.0
Published By: FFTA
Available to ship July-August 2008
FIRST 4.0 is a comprehensive set of procedural processes developed and produced by FTA. This newly expanded, updated version will be available in July-August 2008.
FIRST 4.0's strategic goal: Provide flexo benchmarks, specifications & tolerances. When adhered to, flexographers will meet customer expectations by producing high-quality, consistent, predictable results pressrun after pressrun.
FIRST 4.0 book is the answer for obtaining...
- Improved print quality and consistency of brand equity
- Reduced scrap and rework so you can deliver "right the first time"
- Optimized production costs
The enhanced FIRST 4.0 book features...
- A new and improved user-friendly format
- Expanded cross references and index
- Improved workflows
- Updated best practices and technical information
- Quick online references and electronic tools
Advance order your copy of FIRST 4.0 Book today and receive a free copy of FIRST 3rd Edition on CD-ROM!
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Why FIRST?
The intention of FIRST is to provide all participants in the flexographic reproduction process with a common set of guidelines, tutorials and data that can be used as communication and production tools.
Prior to FIRST, many of our customers, out of frustration, were creating specifications for the reproduction of their packaging. While these individual attempts at creating specifications helped improve their process, there were problems with this approach. It was felt that the generation of too many individualized specifications would become overwhelming to the industry with the end result being mass confusion and the specifications would no longer be of value. At this point, the FTA membership reached out to our customers’, the consumer product companies, and asked them for their help.
The aim of FIRST is to create a common set of specifications and communication protocols for the industry. This platform should establish common communication and identify the responsibility of the provider(s). The FIRST Committee and the FTA Consumer Advisory Council together have dedicated themselves and agreed to the following creed:
Mission
To understand our customers’ graphic requirements for reproduction and translate their aesthetic requirements into specifications for each facet of the flexographic printing processes.
Objective
- Identify key basic flexographic procedures and guidelines to be used from beginning of the process to the end; including designers, consumer product companies, prepress provider, raw material and equipment suppliers and printers.
- Improve quality and consistency through improved communications and measurement procedures.
- Reduce cycle time and minimize rework.
- Control production costs.
- Enable consumer product companies to obtain true flexographic capabilities, which are equal to or exceed offset lithography and gravure printing.
FIRST is a set of specifications, not standards. When adhered to, the specifications are meant to produce a predictable consistent result. It is the responsibility of our customers to determine where, when and how these specifications are to be implemented. This does not imply that a printer’s capabilities cannot exceed FIRST, or that the printer is limited to these specifications as a maximum quality level. The process and specifications outlined in FIRST are intended to improve quality, develop better raw materials and grow the overall flexographic industry.
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Customer Role
Communication & Implementation
Design
Introduction
The Process Flow
Type & Design Elements
Digital Photography
Programs & Applications
Document Structure
File Formats
Content of Completed Design
Prepress
Electronic (Digital) Files
Job Assembly
Color Separations
CIELab Color Management
Final Films
Color Proofs
Printing Plates
Print
Introduction
Controlling the Press & Print Outcome
Significant Print Variables
Printing Bar Codes
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