Flexography is a relative "new kid on the block", tracing its' roots to "Aniline" printing of the 1920's It was a print process that took its' name from the aniline dies used to print the image. These dyes were derived from coal tar. Believed to be hazardous on food packaging by the Food and Drug Administration, they were banned. Chemical engineers eventually found ink formulations deemed safe for food packaging.


            IN THESE MIXING VATS, ANILINE DYES ARE PREPARED




 

 In the early 1950's a few captains of the print industry decided the name 'aniline', with its' bad connections to coal tar, did not do justice to the advances made to the process. They launched a campaign to find a more
friendly name and the term "flexography" was born.

Another milestone in the pursuit of flexography excellence was the formation of the FTA (Flexography Technical Association) and their first annual Forum in 1959. The meeting boasted 185 member companies.



The FTA has, without a doubt, contributed greatly to what flexography is today. The FTA hosts technical seminars, publishes technical papers and manuals. Another organization that has greatly helped flexo is the I.A.P.H.C. They focus on wanting to educate, promote, inform and connect the global graphic community, to foster growth and success.

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