1. FIRST 4.0

2. Introductions Dr. John Anderson: –FTA Technical Director –New FFTA TEST Founding Member (Technical Education Services Team) Previously: –Consultant Specializing in Print Simulators –EFTA Technical & Education Manager –Research at University of Wales Swansea 2 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

3. FIRST Flexographic Imaging Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances 3 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

4. FIRST Overview 10 years since FIRST Premier Edition FIRST is now: –Undergoing significant changes With major industry backing –Truly becoming a global document –End buyers want printers, prepress, and suppliers use it! FIRST 4.0 Expected late 2007 4 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

5. 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 publications tools. Specifications & Guidelines -- Not Standards 5 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

6. WHAT DOES FIRST OFFER? 6 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

7. What Does FIRST Offer? Identify key flexographic procedures & guidelines From beginning to end of the process Improved communications & measurement procedures Improved quality & consistency 7 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

8. What Does FIRST Offer? Reduced cycle time and minimized rework Controlled production costs Enables consumer product companies to obtain true flexographic capabilities 8 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

9. What Does FIRST Offer? What It Means To You: –Reduced Process Time –More Profits –Happier Customers 9 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

10. WHO NEEDS FIRST? 10 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

11. Who Needs FIRST? Designers Prepress Printers Buyers Anyone involved with Flexo! You ALL need FIRST 4.0! 11 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

12. Who Needs FIRST? Everyone! 12 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

13. FIRST 4.0 The latest version in the FIRST series, but with a new name style! 13 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

14. Who Is Involved? A committee of about 50, with 20 regular participants, these include: –ESKO, Smurfit-Stone, Harper Graphic Solutions, Cal Poly, RR Donnelley, Excelsior Packaging Group, Schawk, Inc., Cyrel Packaging Graphics, Keating Toronto, Allison Systems, National Envelope, Rochester Institute of Technology, All Printing Resources, Inc., The Procter & Gamble Company, Flint Group –Hood Packaging Inc, Color Resolution Inc, Diageo, Sun Chemical, Anderson & Vreeland, Clemson University, Kodak, Stork Cellramic Inc, Matthews Packaging Graphics, International Paper, W+D Machinery Company, Fastik Label, Vertis Inc., The News & Observer, Clemson University, Tetrapak, –ATIF, MacDermid Printing Solutions, AFTA, DFTA, Asahi Photoproducts, EFTA (UK) Ltd 14 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

15. Why Are They Involved? “I am involved with FIRST for one reason… Consistency! I believe this is the biggest hurdle Flexo printers face and one of the biggest desires of our customers.” Scott Gilbert, Smurfit Stone FIRST Co-chair 15 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

16. MESSAGE TRACK 16 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

17. Message Track Developed A New Message Track Allow Clear Communication Of FIRST Included In The FPPA Literature 17 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

18. Message Track The enhanced FIRST 4.0 features: –More user-friendly format –Expanded cross references & index –Improved workflows –Updated best practices & technical information –Quick online references & electronic tools 18 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

19. Message Track FIRST 4.0 is the answer to meet the needs of Providers and CPCs alike through: –Improved print quality & consistency of brand equity –Reduced scrap & rework to deliver "right the first time" –Optimized production costs 19 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

20. Message Track FIRST helps Flexographers deliver high-quality, fast turnaround, & affordable printing worldwide. 20 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

21. CHANGES IN MORE DETAIL 21 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

22. Updated Section Content ALL sections reviewed and updated Industry changes addressed Provides core text needed for successful implementation 22 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

23. User Tools Previous versions told you what to do, but provided few tools to assist you. FIRST 4.0 is providing tools, such as press-side charts, Excel tables, guidelines, a la carte targets, etc. Most tools are supplied digitally for easier use and communication. 23 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

24. Quick Reference Guides Summaries of each section Allows quick review of content Find what you need quickly Book contains full text for greater understanding Supplied digitally for easy distribution 24 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

25. Indexing Previous editions have not had an index Users requested its addition FIRST 4.0 will have a complete index for all significant terms 25 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

26. FIRST 4.1. 4.2, etc. FIRST 4.0 is the latest, but with a new name style The Flexo industry continues to change QUICKLY! International participation will bring more updates Industry does not want to wait 3 years for updates 26 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

27. FIRST Web Site FIRST is currently using www.flexoFIRST.com www.flexoFIRST.com October/November FTA will change to a database-driven Web site, as part of TEST –FIRST will have its own section Updates expected to be posted every 3 to 6 months as FIRST 4.1, 4.2, etc. 27 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

28. International Distribution FIRST 4.0 is the first version to request significant participation from other FTAs –Some participation from the AFTA, ATIF, DFTA, & EFTA (Australia, Italy, Germany, & UK) –Future updates will be truly global collaborations –Becoming an International partnership –Expecting at least one co-chair for prepress will come from Germany; print from Italy, and we are looking for volunteers from other regions –Communications will be via electronic or Internet tools 28 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

29. FLEXO – THE BIGGER PICTURE 29 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

30. FIRST as the Common Voice/Cause Flexo has risen a long way, yet still has image and perception issues For Flexo to grow globally, it must communicate its message and image to the industry and end buyers better –Procter & Gamble’s Mike Ferrari has stated that “FIRST can be the method by which the Flexo industry communicates its positive message Globally!” 30 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

31. FIRST as the Common Voice/Cause To mean something, FIRST must: –Move from recommendations to everyday common practices. –Be accepted and promoted. FIRST 4.0 means applying process control and best practices without giving up a company’s individuality. 31 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

32. CONCLUSIONS FOR FIRST 4.O 32 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

33. In Conclusion – FIRST 4.0 FIRST is not "NEW,” but 10 years old –Continues to develop and evolve Provides guidelines and specifications –It is not a standard Covers Flexo through communication, design, prepress, & print. 33 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

34. In Conclusion – FIRST 4.0 FIRST 4.0 is the most user friendly version, with tools to assist implementation FIRST 4.0 provides Flexo with a common communication tool. 34 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

35. In Conclusion – FIRST 4.0 FIRST 4.0 gives us a common voice and perspective to promote Flexo Globally! FIRST 4.0 needs to be implemented and talked about to promote Flexo. FIRST 4.0 is the start of a truly global Flexo industry collaboration. 35 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson

36. Now For Something Different

37. FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson 37

38. FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson What Is TEST? Technical Education Services Team New restructuring of FFTA staffing Development of educational materials for the Flexographic industry To be delivered on-line and through certified instructors 38

39. FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson Why TEST? Currently there is great variation in education and its delivery Need for greater consistency and transparency Need for updated education materials Need for updated delivery methods 39

40. FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson Who Is TEST? TEST Founding Members –Joe Tuccitto – Primary Developer –Dr John Anderson – Developer & Tester –Laura Hatch – Presentation & Communication 40

41. FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson When Is TEST Starting? In reality it has started Officially it starts October 01 2007 Through sponsorship it is funded for development until the end of 2009 First modules expected later in 2007 41

42. FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson What Could TEST Mean To FPPA? FFTA is looking to develop prepress as well as print modules TEST is prepared to partner or work with FPPA to produce modules to suit its members needs, and benefit both TEST staff are developers, FPPA provide knowledge and guidance 42

43. Plus An Extra!

44. FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson AFTA Forum & Visits I have just returned from 2 weeks with the Australian FTA Visited 5 prepress suppliers (internal and commercial) Heavy consolidation, especially NZ Will answer any questions on this as well if you have any. 44

45. Any Questions? 45

46. Contact Details Dr. John Anderson FTA Technical Director 198 Main Entrance Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15228, USA E-mail: drjohn@flexography.org Tel: 412 531 6209 Cell: 412 266 6995 46 FIRST 4.0 – FPPA 09/11/2007 Dr John Anderson