FTA Forum and InfoFlex 2023 | 69FTA InfoFlex 2023: diving into the future of flexo At FTA Forum and InfoFlex 2023, innovations in fexographic printing, like color management, efciency and the ever-evolving relationship of digital and fexographic technologies took center stage. Charlie Edward reportshe Flexographic Technical Association’s (FTA) Forum and InfoFlex 2023 event held on April T17-18 at the Greater Columbus, Ohio, Convention Center brought together nearly 1,200 industry experts, professionals and enthusiasts to discuss the latest trends and technologies shaping the fexographic printing world. With a focus on building relationships, expanding product offerings and improving production effciency, the event showcased Attendees gather on FTA’s bustling show foor at the Greater Columbus Convention Centerinnovations in color management, UV-LED curing technology, digital printing and “The FTA provides the technical content more.and educational seminars to provide those Flexo and digitalFor a show focused on fexography, it was opportunities for certifcations and continued undeniable that the future of conventional print and its place in the emerging digital education for our customers while at the show”printing landscape was a hot topic. Although digital printing has gained magnetic cylinders. is designed for situations where parameters signifcant attention, Steve Schulte, vice Sanja Valentic, Esko’s general manager change, allowing for swift calculation of a president of sales and marketing at Mark of North America operations, spoke new profle without needing a fresh proof.Andy, and Keith Nagle, a sales manager at about sustainability in packaging. She Color management continues to evolve, Bobst, both believe that digital technology says: ‘Every year, sustainability is one of and Raymond Burnthorn from X-Rite will not replace fexographic printing. those topics that you see, people will emphasized the importance of adapting Schulte says, ‘I don’t think fexography post a green symbol on their website and to these changes. As the industry shifts is going away because there’s still long-run after six months, it disappears. This year, toward a younger workforce, Burnthorn jobs. Until digital gets to that crossover sustainability has actually become a real, observed that young people tend to point that they can run fast and the cost tangible part of everyone’s messaging.’ perceive color differently than their more per label gets much lower, fexography will experienced counterparts: always have a place.’ Color management ‘The younger industry sees the depth of Nagle shares a similar view, emphasizing Color management and effciency were color,’ he says. ‘They have the ability to see that there’s room in the market for both, other key themes at FTA, with Bill Dewalt the changes more distinctly.’ ‘One doesn’t replace the other, but they of GMG Americas highlighting the dramatic complement each other very well,’ he says. speed increase in his company’s new Other new productsNagle also made note of the increasing profling software. The XSYS booth featured new products level of automation in the label and ‘Some projects [used to] take hours, and from the global fexographic specialist. packaging industry, including the prepress it went down to minutes. The developers Dan Rosen, a sales manager at the portion and plate mounting. were very excited about that,’ he says. company, showed off the FTV, a printing Regarding the future of conventional Dewalt also pointed out that this plate launched in the second quarter of technology, Nagle says, ‘It’s going to get technology, GMG’s OpenColor software, 2023, explaining: ‘It’s a special plate that more automated to help with the workforce helps companies overcome the challenges has one-to-one reproduction to the image issues that we have in the industry.’ of fnding skilled staff members by allowing fle. Bobst recently released Bobst Connect, a the existing workforce to work more The diverse perspectives from industry cloud-based digital platform that enhances effciently. experts demonstrated that the future and improves packaging productivity. Bobst GMG’s conversion technology offers the of the fexo industry is bright, with a also announced an update to its Digital ability to simulate colors with pinpoint continued focus on sustainability and Master series, which integrates Bobst accuracy, potentially eliminating the automation.Connect. The company also expanded need for test charts. It’s a comprehensive its portfolio of die-cutting products. In approach that considers multiple factors, addition to semi-rotary die-cutting, quick including spectral color data, the printing For more information, check out our change rotary die-cutting was introduced, process, substrates and even the sequence video review of the show at: https://offering a 50 percent time saving to change of ink application. The system’s adaptability bit.ly/3CTxOHZJul - Sep 2023