Every flexographer knows that matching customer expectations can sometimes be a daunting task. At one time or another, all have been asked to match the work of other printers. Some have even struggled in producing identical results to a sister plant hailing from within their own organization. Issues causing them such dismay are wide reaching, encompassing everything from the substrate selected to the press the job is being run on, to the color gamut available. And when the job is transitioning to flexo from a competing process, like offset or gravure, complications may multiply.

Flexographic Technical Association’s (FTA) 2015 Annual Forum will address these and similar situations head-on in the “Multi-Market Commonalities – Alike But Different” session. Taking place Wednesday, May 6 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, the session will serve as the finale to 2015’s program.

Chaired by Geoff Roznak, Great Northern Corporation and Rose McKernon, FTA, attendees will hear first hand experiences right down to the solutions identified directly from printers that service the flexible packaging, containers, labels and corrugated market segments. Each presenter, a seasoned printer, has had to match work by different printers and processes to successfully overcome the difficulties and ultimately deliver optimal results for their customers. In addition to flexography, subject matter will focus on a variety of print processes including digital, lithographic, dry offset, gravure, screen, hot and cold stamping and combination printing.

“Our speakers incorporate multiple processes into their work daily, matching jobs across substrates, segments, plants and processes, so you’ll hear solutions straight from the source,” says Roznak. “It’s all about making the process work for you, not against you!”

Session topics and their presenters are:
“Digital Printing for Flexible Packaging: A Partner to Flexography or A Replacement?” Kevin Kelly, Emerald Packaging Inc.
“Managing A Cross Platform Approach to Meet the Needs of A Complex Marketplace,” Bob Feldman, Constantia Label
“Decorating in 3D,” Kirk Birchler, Berry Plastics Corporation
“Putting the ‘Flex’ in Flexographic – Color Matching For Different Substrates & Print Technologies,” Chuck Buscaglia, Berry Plastics Corporation

The 2015 Annual Forum, themed “Hitting the Perfect Harmony,” is scheduled for May 3-6 at the Omni Nashville Hotel in downtown Nashville, TN. Coinciding with Forum is the annual INFO*FLEX Exhibition, slated for May 4-5 at the brand new Music City Center. There, attendees can follow up on the discussions raised at Forum and visit the 280 booths that will showcase the most revolutionary products and services for the entire package printing and converting industry.

To register for Forum & INFO*FLEX, visit www.flexography.org.