FIRST 4.0 is the industry's most comprehensive set of specifications, guidelines and tutorials designed to provide all members of the flexographic supply chain with the technical information they need to produce high quality and consistent print results, pressrun after pressrun. For FTA Member pricing visit http://www.ftastore.com

Printers nowadays are having to learn new technologies if they are to remain competitive. This innovative, practical manual is specifically designed to cater to these training demands. Written by an expert in the field, the Handbook is unique in covering the entire spectrum of modern print media production. Despite its comprehensive treatment, it remains an easy-to-use, single-volume reference, with all the information clearly structured and readily retrievable. The author covers both traditional as well as computer-aided technologies in all stages of production, as well as electronic media and multimedia. He also deals with training, research, strategies and trends, showing readers how to implement the latest methods. With 1,200 pages, containing 1,500 illustrations - over half in colour - the Handbook conveys the current state of technology together with its specific terminology. The accompanying CD-ROM includes the entire manual in fully searchable form, plus additional software tools. Invaluable information for both beginners and "old hands" in printing works, publishing houses, trade associations, the graphics industry, and their suppliers.

FIRST 5.1 (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances) is the industry's most comprehensive set of specifications, guidelines and tutorials designed to provide all members of the flexographic supply chain with the technical information needed to produce high-quality and consistent print results, pressrun after pressrun.

Efficiently and profitably delivering quality flexible packaging to the marketplace requires designing and manufacturing products that are both "fit-to-use" and "fit-to-make". The engineering function in a flexible packaging enterprise must attend to these dual design challenges. Flexible Packaging discusses the basic processes used to manufacture flexible packaging products, including rotogravure printing, flexographic printing, adhesive lamination, extrusion lamination/coating; and finishing/slitting. These processes are then related to the machines used to practice them, emphasising the basics of machines’ control systems , and options to minimize wasted time and materials between production jobs. Raw materials are also considered, including the three basic forms: Rollstock (paper, foil, plastic films); Resin; and Wets (inks, varnishes, primers). Guidance is provided on both material selection, and on adding value through enhancement or modification of the materials’ physical features. A ‘measures’ section covers both primary material features – such as tensile, elongation, modulus and elastic and plastic regions – and secondary quality characteristics such as seal and bond strengths, coefficient of friction, oxygen barrier and moisture vapour barrier. Helps engineers improve existing raw material selection and manufacturing processes for manufacturing functional flexible packaging materials. Covers all aspects of delivering high value packaging to the customer – from the raw materials, to the methods of processing them, the machines used to do it, and the measures required to gauge the characteristics of the product. Helps engineers to minimize waste and unproductive time in production.

Printing on Polymers: Fundamentals and Applications is the first authoritative reference covering the most important developments in the field of printing on polymers, their composites, nanocomposites, and gels. The book examines the current state-of-the-art and new challenges in the formulation of inks, surface activation of polymer surfaces, and various methods of printing. The book equips engineers and materials scientists with the tools required to select the correct method, assess the quality of the result, reduce costs, and keep up-to-date with regulations and environmental concerns. Choosing the correct way of decorating a particular polymer is an important part of the production process. Although printing on polymeric substrates can have desired positive effects, there can be problems associated with various decorating techniques. Physical, chemical, and thermal interactions can cause problems, such as cracking, peeling, or dulling. Safety, environmental sustainability, and cost are also significant factors which need to be considered. With contributions from leading researchers from industry, academia, and private research institutions, this book serves as a one-stop reference for this field—from print ink manufacture to polymer surface modification and characterization; and from printing methods to applications and end-of-life issues. - Enables engineers to select the correct decoration method for each material and application, assess print quality, and reduce costs - Increases familiarity with the terminology, tests, processes, techniques, and regulations of printing on plastic, which reduces the risk of adverse reactions, such as cracking, peeling, or dulling of the print - Addresses the issues of environmental impact and cost when printing on polymeric substrates - Features contributions from leading researchers from industry, academia, and private research institutions