The Flexographic Prepress Platemakers Association (FPPA) convened its ninth annual convention last month in Amelia Island, Fla. During the three-day conference, presenters from the supplier and provider communities shared their insights on a variety of topics. Following a keynote address by Bill Raaths, CEO of Great Northern Corp., sessions included “The Effect of Simultaneous Imaging and Direct UV Main Exposure on Digital Plates and Sleeves” by Ian Hole of Esko-Graphics; “Remote Digital Proofing: Contract Color and Content Proofing at Remote Sites” by Deborah Hutcheson of Agfa Corp.; “Forensically Invisible Brand Protection Packaging” by Kevin Harrell, Creo/Kodak; “In-the-Round Production Technology” by Dan Rosen of Flint Group Printing Plates; and “Integrated Direct Digital Solution for Corrugated Flexographic Platemakers” by Will Goss of Day International.
During a “nuts-and-bolts” customer panel, participants discussed the various ways in which brand management and print quality come into play, and explained what their companies want from their suppliers and the products and services they value from their trade shops. A panel of digital asset management software providers described the need for integrated digital asset management and suggested how trade shops could sell DAM services to their customers. A highlight of the event was the presentation of results of a voluntary product test program conducted by the FPPA’s Technology Task Force in cooperation with Clemson University and Flexographic Trade School measuring the performance of selected plate materials on narrow web and corrugated projects. The FPPA also bestowed Technology Innovation Awards on Kodak for its PDF/Compare and PDF Merge software, and on Container Graphics Corp. for its S.N.A.P. Automated Production Software. Pitman Company was named the FPPA’s Supplier of the Year.
In other business, Jan Noller of Graphic Design Services was elected president of the FPPA Board of Directors, replacing Chris Horton of Southern Graphic Systems. Supporting Noller is a strong cabinet of officers including Immediate Past President Horton; VP, Dave Norton, NPP Packaging Graphic Specialists; Treasurer, Steve Barry, Printron Engravers; and Secretary, Tom Underwood, OEC Graphics. Mark Barnard, Trinity Graphics USA; Neil Saunders, Container Graphics; Michael Lalonde, Midwest Graphics; Dan Lacey, Artwork Systems; and Dan Rosen, Flint Group Printing Plates also serve on the Board.