Menu
Celebrating 25 years of flexographic packaging excellence.
Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances (FIRST) supports the methodical approach to process control, optimization, fingerprinting, characterization and process improvement as outlined in CGATS TR 012-2020 (Graphic Technology – Color Reproduction and Process Control for Packaging Printing).
While each organization may use its own workflow based upon its specific needs, there are certain fundamentals universal to the flexographic printing process.
FIRST 7.0
A document created for the industry, by the industry.
For 25 years, FIRST has empowered production managers to bring their printing processes to the next level by implementing the procedures and methodologies necessary to produce high-quality and consistent flexographic results, pressrun after pressrun.
New in FIRST 7.0
An All-New Section
The new Measurement & Verification Section eliminates redundancy and enables quick referencing in a production environment.
More, More, More
Over 50 new pages of new content throughout all sections.
Methodology That Matters
FIRST Methodology was modeled after CGATS TR 012-2003. In 2020, TR 012 was updated; that update has been integrated in the Communication & Implementation section.
Evolving Designer Needs
As the designer’s responsibilities have changed, the Design Section has also changed to reflect new process and procedures used in flexographic package design.
Updates for Prepress
Extensive updates on color proofing, detailed descriptions of spectrophotometer measuring modes, an entirely new section focused on proofing for expanded gamut, and more.
Added Essential Information
Appendices provide abstracts and important highlights to more than 120 different standards referenced in FIRST 7.0. Also included are The Optimal Method—a new print calibration technique using tone curves to match an ICC profile—as well as results of the FQC Opacity of Substrates and White Ink Project, to name a few.
Get Your Copy of FIRST 7.0
Printed Edition
430 pages, printed on US premium color interior with a color soft cover.
The perfect addition to your prepress department and pressroom floor.
Kindle Edition
Instant access, available from all your devices and easily searchable.
A quarter of a century of flexographic knowledge, in your pocket.
FIRST Resources
FIRST Individual Certification
FIRST Individual Certification is a set of programs developed by FTA that trains industry professionals how to use the specifications and tolerances found in the FIRST document in their daily job activities.
Those who carry a FIRST Individual Certification are more capable and able flexographers who can bring improvements, consistency and real results to any workflow.
FIRST Company Certification
FIRST Company Certification is offered through FTA for companies that have FIRST-Certified individuals who comply with the specifications and tolerances found in the FIRST document.
It provides confidence in a printer’s processes, print quality and consistency, from shift to shift, plant to plant, and pressrun to pressrun. And for the customer, it provides consistency, repeatability and shelf appeal they can rely on.
