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Draft:Flexographic Technical Association

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The FTA is a technical society for the flexographic printing and in-line converting industries.[1] For more than 65 years, the FTA has been setting the standard for education, certification, and innovation in the flexographic printing industry.[2]  

History

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The Founding- 1958

  • The Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) was founded in 1958.[1] The FTA’s Articles of Incorporation were signed on November 13, 1958.[2] The multi-tier purpose of the Assocation was to: “Promote, develop and maintain the advancement of flexographic printing, work cooperatively on problems of mutual interest among firms engaged, develop and maintain standards, work cooperatively for the constant improvement of the printing method, provide a forum for the exchange of information and discussion of problems, do all things permitted by law to promote and advance the process, the printing industry and the welfare of all firms connected to it.”[2]

The First Technical Manual- 1958

  • In 1958, the FTA’s Technical Publications Committee announced its plans to produce the FTA Technical Manual.[2] This manual would be used as a handbook/encyclopedia for flexography printing.[2]

Inaugural FORUM- 1959

  • The FTA’s inaugural FORUM was held at the Hotel Baltimore in NY.[2]

1st Award Competition- 1959-60

  • FTA hosted its first awards where they honored 21 recipients at the FORUM event at Chicago’s Palmer House.[2]

Preparation of the Battery-1965-66

  • The U.S. Department of Labor announces an aptitude test battery for flexographic press workers. This was a joint project with the FTA.[2]

European Flexographic Technical Association-1966-73  

  • The EFTA announced its extended membership plan, which linked it to the U.S. FTA. In return the U.S. FTA offered an extended membership plan which added their facility to the EFTA’s roster.[2]

The FFTA is created- 1973-74

  • The Articles of Incorporation for the Foundation of the FTA (FFTA) are signed.[2]

First Volume of the Flexographic Technical Journal- 1974-76

  • The Flexographic Technical Journal was the predecessor of the FLEXO Magazine, and was published during this time.[2] During this time period the FTA announced that it would be attending the International Confab on Flexo in London.[2]

Memorial Scholarship Fund Created- 1976-78

  • The FFTA launched the Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was initially awarded in honor of Bruce W. Gibson.[2]

Educator’s Curriculum Guide- 1985-1986

  • The FFTA finalized the Educator’s Curriculum Guide, which was set to be released on January 1, 1987.[2]

Fundamentals of Narrow Web Flexographic Printing Program-1986-89

  • The FTA introduced a student membership program which was aimed at offering the next generation of flexographers the benefits of an FTA membership.[2] During this time the FTA announced the Fundamentals of Narrow Web Flexographic Printing Program.[2]

World of Flexo- 1989-90

  • FTA introduced World of Flexo, which is a public relations program.[2] During this year the FFTA Educational Fundraising Program was also started.[2] Ron Harper and Katherine Harper headed the fundraiser, with a goal to raise 1 million dollars over the course of two years. In total, $800,000 was raised/pledged from 1990-1992.[2]

First President’s Award- 1990-91

  • Charlie Brown, Luigi Carrano, Fred Shapiro and Frank Siconolfi are the first to receive the FTA’s President’s Award.[2] This award is given to those who are picked by the Association’s team for their support, volunteerism, and dedication.[2]

Events

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FORUM & INFOFLEX

This conference/exhibition is for flexographers who are interested in enhancing professional skills and connecting with industry leaders.[3] The 2025 event was hosted in early May in Pittsburgh, PA.[4]

FTA Fall Technical Conference  

The Fall Technical Conference allows attendees to re-visit key themes and insights from FORUM & INFOFLEX.[3] The event helps keep industry professionals up to date on trends and connect with experts.[3]

Awards

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FTA award recipients are announced each year at the award banquet, which takes place on the first day of FORUM & INFOFLEX.[5]

2025 FTA Hall of Fame Member

This award is presented to an individual who has dedication that spans a lifetime.[5] These individuals have volunteered their free time to assist the Association in accomplishing its mission.[5]

2025 Hall of Fame Member Inductee: Bettylyn Krafft[6]

Sustainability Excellence Award

This award is presented to printers who have taken on the added cost, constraints, and pitfalls in order to lessen their impact on the environment.[5] This is a large undertaking, as flexography is not known to be environmentally friendly.[5]

2025 Sustainability Excellence Award Winners[7]
Company Name Product
XSYS Nyoflex eco series plates
GEW AeroLED2 UV LED curing system

Technical Innovation Award  

This award recognizes those who show a string commitment to pushing the future of the package production industry forward through engineering success.[8]

2025 Technical Innovation Award Winners[8]
Company Name Product
FastBridge Bridge Sleeve Adapter
BOBST Digital Inspection Table (DIT)
Techkon USA Automated color management system, SpectroVision

FTA President's Award   This award is presented to individuals who show dedication and service to the Association and its mission.[5]

2025 President's Award Winner: Brad Gasque[6]  

Foundation of FTA Scholarships

These scholarships are a spotlight on the future of the flexographic printing industry.[5] There are three scholarships that are presented each year.[5]

Excellence in Flexography Awards:  

These awards are presented to those who achieve exemplary package printing.[5] Categories include wide web, mid web, narrow web, combined corrugated, preprinted linerboard, envelopes, self-promotion, non-traditional flexography, as well as college students and high school students.[5]

2025 Excellence in Flexography Award Winners[9]
Company Name Category Product
McDowell Label Narrow Web RYZE Godzilla Strawberry Mango pre-workout dietary supplement label
PPC Flex Mid Web Freeze Nums sour salted caramel and berry
Mondi Jackson Wide Web Instinct Ultimate Protein Cat Skin and Coat, 10lb bag
Marvaco Oy Combined Corrugated Carlsberg, 18-pack pilsner
WestRock Preprinted Linerboard Pampers My Little Pony Easy Ups, 74 pack
MackayMitchell Envelope Co Envelope Animal rescue
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References

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  1. ^ a b "Flexographic Technical Association overview - services, products, equipment data and more | Explorium". explorium.ai. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "About FTA - Flexographic Technical Association". Flexographic Technical Association. Archived from the original on 2025-06-25. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  3. ^ a b c "FTA Conferences & Events". Flexographic Technical Association. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  4. ^ "FORUM & INFOFLEX 2025 in David L. Lawrence Convention Center". expofp.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "FTA Honors & Awards". Flexographic Technical Association. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  6. ^ a b "2025 FTA Award Winners". Flexographic Technical Association. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  7. ^ "XSYS, GEW capture FTA Sustainability Excellence Awards". Label and Narrow Web. 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  8. ^ a b "FTA names three 2025 Technical Innovation Award winners". Label and Narrow Web. 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  9. ^ "FTA Excellence in Flexography award winners announced | Labels & Labeling". www.labelsandlabeling.com. 2025-05-06. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
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