Flexographic Technical Association

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Appalachian State University’s board of trustees announced that the university has received a large financial gift from Ron Harper of Charlotte in honor of his wife, Katherine. The University will name the building housing the majority of the academic programs and administrative offices of its Department of Technology for Mrs. Harper. A naming and dedication ceremony for Katherine Harper Hall will take place at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at 397 Rivers Street on the Appalachian campus. The Harpers are the founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America. Anilox rolls are used in a printing method called “Flexography,” typically used in

Pack your passports and join more than 1,600 attendees and 150 companies next month in Montreal for four days of flexographic festivities. The Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association’s (FFTA) 2007 Annual Forum/INFO*FLEX Exhibition—themed “Crossing Borders … Flexo’s Global Gateway”—will be held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal May 6-9. Forum 2007 will get underway Sunday, May 6 with an association update and prepress session, followed by an evening keynote address, featuring David Schawk, president/CEO of Schawk, Inc. Schawk, as well as Mike Ferrari, Procter & Gamble, and Debbra Johnson and John McCooey, DuPont Imaging Technologies, will explore globalization’s effect on the future of

DEERPARK, N.Y.—Overnight Labels, Inc. announced that it has been named the winner of the FTA’s (Flexographic Technical Association) 7th Annual Environmental Excellence Award. The competition was open to any company active in the flexographic printing industry and was judged in two categories: process improvement and technical innovation. The award was based on Overnight Labels, Inc.’s implementation of a quality management system and reduction of overall production waste. In one years’ time, Overnight Labels, Inc.’s QMS proved to be both environmentally and financially beneficial. The environmental repercussions of the quality management system has produced 93,4921 feet less waste (or about 2,544,493 feet more non-waste, such

CLEMSON, S.C.—The Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA) and Clemson University’s Department of Graphic Communications will co-host the “Flexographic Process Color Printing” Symposium, set for March 14-16, 2007. The program will be held at several locations on the Clemson University campus including, for the first time, the Outdoor Research Lab (a woodland retreat) as well as the Madren Conference Center and Clemson University’s Graphics Lab. Participants will learn the steps to optimize, characterize, measure, and manage flexographic color printing in a production environment using the proven techniques of process control. Hands-on breakout sessions teach best practices for densitometry, spectrophotometry, documentation, and press side color

RONKONKOMA, N.Y.—The Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA) announced the launch of a new summer internship program available to all high school or college-level students. FFTA’s new program, the first of its kind for the foundation, is aimed at linking students who are looking for experience in the workforce with companies who are in the market for summer help. Doreen Monteleone, FFTA’s director of special projects and EHS commented, “FTA understands the importance of guiding young adults into the corporate world. By taking advantage of this program, students can gain real-world experience, a practical understanding of the flexographic print process and the chance to

RONKONKOMA, N.Y.—On Feb. 7, the Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA) announced that with less than 90 days until its 2007 Annual Forum & INFO*FLEX Exhibition, the show floor is 90 percent sold out. Exhibitors are quickly securing their spots to make sure they have a presence at the industry’s premiere exhibition dedicated solely to the flexographic print process, which is set to take place May 7-8 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, in Montréal, QC, Canada. More than 150 companies, occupying almost 20,000 square feet will be on hand to showcase their most recent innovations to the expected international audience of more

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The fourth annual Phoenix Challenge Fund Raising Luncheon, organized to support the 2007 Annual International Phoenix Challenge Flexo Skills Competition and the brand new PC College competition, took place at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlotte, N.C., and boasted a record attendance of more than 100 participants. Five speakers addressed the genial group of flexo industry professionals. “We are very grateful for a terrifically successful luncheon,” said Bettylyn Krafft, Phoenix Challenge Foundation (PCF) chairman, of the event. “We appreciate the generous benefactors who sponsored full tables at this luncheon, as well as the loyal backers who support us in smaller numbers.” Krafft opened the

FFTA/Clemson Workflow Seminar Series: OPTIMIZING THE DIGITAL PLATE PACKAGE FOR FLEXOGRAPHY January 16-17, 2007 Clemson University, Clemson SC WHY A DIGITAL PLATE SEMINAR? Because in today’s environment, digital workflow processes such as platemaking should be SIMPLER not more complicated. Find out how to uncomplicate the digital plate process from “Prepress to RIP to Final Plate Production” while achieving optimal results from your investment. Working with industry leaders, you will learn to recognize the pitfalls, avoid common mistakes and develop procedures to achieve consistent and repeatable results on every plate, every press run. This seminar is appropriate for all segments of flexography whether currently using

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The Phoenix Challenge Foundation has set the date for its fourth annual luncheon event. It will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at the Double Tree Hotel (formerly Wyndham Gardens Hotel), 2600 Yorkmont Road, in Charlotte, NC. Industry veteran Dave Harris of J.R. Cole Industries will be the featured speaker. As attendance continues to grow, officials anticipate well over 100 participants this year. Funds raised through the luncheon will help subsidize the cost of bringing students from all over the U.S. and Canada to Charlotte in March 2007 for the International Phoenix Challenge High School Flexo Competition. With the

RONKONKOMA, N.Y.—The Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA) has announced it has chosen an official theme for its 2007 Annual Forum. “Crossing Borders. . .Flexo’s Global Gateway” will be the premise of the 2007 conference, which will be held on May 6-9, 2007 at the Palais des Congres de Montréal, in Quebec, Canada. FFTA/FTA President Mark Cisternino commented, “The new theme ‘hits the nail right on the head.’ After much discussion, the Forum Committee, along with FTA staff, chose “Crossing Borders . . . Flexo’s Global Gateway” because of the international attention the event will garner. Cisternino remarked that attendees can anticipate many changes