BOHEMIA, NY—The 25th-anniversary edition of FTA's FIRST debuts with the seventh iteration of its flexographic specifications guide, FIRST 7.0, at Fall Conference 2022. The hardcover 25th-anniversary edition is only available at Fall Conference 2022, with softcover and kindle version available for purchase online.

FIRST (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances) seeks to understand customers' graphic requirements for reproduction and translates those aesthetic requirements into specifications for each phase of the flexographic printing process, including customers, designers, prepress providers, raw material and equipment suppliers, and printers. It intends to provide all participants in the flexographic reproduction process with a standard set of guidelines, tutorials and data to be used as communication and production tools.

Now on its seventh iteration, FIRST 7.0 brings more than 50 new pages of content throughout all sections, including:

A new Measurement & Verification Section which eliminates redundancy and enables quick referencing in a production environment

An updated Communication & Implementation Section integrating the newly revised TR 012: 2020

A completely updated Design Section to reflect new process and procedures used in flexographic package design

Extensive updates on color proofing, detailed descriptions of spectrophotometer measuring modes and an entirely new section focused on proofing for expanded gamut

Also included is The Optimal Method—a new print calibration technique using tone curves to match an ICC profile—and results of the FQC Opacity of Substrates and White Ink Projects

Long-time FIRST contributor and FTA President Robb Frimming comments, "FIRST 7.0 further perfects the industry-leading format of bringing flexography best practices to the masses. In addition to implementation, prepress and print updates, the industry standards appendix includes updated and new references for those standards directly tied to flexography. Alongside many other updates and changes, FIRST 7.0 includes an overview of the latest and game-changing color calibration technique called The Optimal Method, which FTA is proud to bring to a larger audience at Fall Conference 2022." Frimming adds, "This certainly will not be the last iteration of FIRST. As a constantly changing industry, FTA will be at the forefront of techniques and learnings and will continue to offer flexographers worldwide the best flexographic specifications guide period.".

“I am excited for our members to get their hands on FIRST 7.0,” says FTA Director of Education Joe Tuccitto. “This version makes it easier than ever to reference critical production information without having to search high and low.”

FIRST 7.0 will be available for purchase online at allthingsfirst.org.