Flexographic Technology Ushers Its Golden Age

In 1952, very few people were engaged in printing and packaging, but we were obliged to be grateful to a group of over-the-top masters who had made painstaking efforts to convert aniline printing to today's flexo printing. The year 2002 marks the 50th anniversary of this transformation. We must celebrate it because of the extraordinary progress made in the flexo printing process in the past 50 years.

Nowadays, flexo printing has become a common printing method, and the word “flexo printing” has been known by people. One of the major tasks of Flexo Magazine in 2002 was to track the innovation and performance of the flexographic industry since 1952. Instead of always staying in the memories of the past, we would rather concentrate on discussing how everything that happened in the past affects the development of today and the future.

In the magazine they will show people the interviews with CEOs or leaders of several leading companies in the industry. The first concerns will be printer manufacturers, followed by ink companies, substrate suppliers, distributors, anilox roller makers, etc., all of whom discuss issues related to flexo printing quality, stability, and reliability. Their views are inspiring and suggestive, and lead people to think deeply.

In 2002, the magazine will also arrange a series of special investigation activities for members of the FTA printers. These surveys are all related to the dynamic influence factors in a certain market and daily business activities. The series of research activities will begin with towel, knitwear and tissue printers, followed by research on flexible packaging, corrugated board, preprints, labels, folding cartons, newspapers and publications.

The survey of printing companies triggered a series of distinctive topics that fully reflected the latest technologies and practical activities applied to printing presses, prepress, inks, substrates, and plates. Each short operational description uses at least one FTA printer member as a case. In addition, the monthly magazine will also provide a short list of suppliers for printing companies for specific markets.

Flexo also plans to arrange a series of reports to increase the level of credibility in April, May, July and December. Usually, in April, the main information about the flexo exhibition will be reported. The topic in May will focus on the coverage of the 2002 Flexo Technology Association Excellence Award.

In June, all of the magazine's workers will try their best to collect and collate the available data and use it in the Mid-Year Market Intelligence Report. I believe this report will be widely recognized. Then, in July, a series of stories, such as Who's Who Photo or FTA Member Biography (FTA volunteers who contributed to the flexo printing industry), will be launched. In addition, the magazine will provide some detailed thoughts on the status quo and future development of the flexographic industry and its practitioners.

At the end of the year, Flexo's staff will launch comprehensive, highly-rated data: a directory of global flexo printers and suppliers. According to tradition, this special publication will include market forecasts for various market sectors in 2003 and for the next few years.