World’s first PSF certification - German printing company is the first to certify its flexographic printing

‘We decided to pursue certification because we want to improve our workflows, enhance internal and external quality standards, and increase customer satisfaction,’ explains Torsten Dreke, Managing Director of Thüringer Papierwarenfabrik in Mühlhausen.

Here, the PSF comes into play. With its practical framework, flexographic printing companies benefit from precise specifications, measurable quality targets, and a structured testing process. The standard helps printers to achieve predictable results and meet customer expectations. ‘It saves costs, reduces our carbon footprint, and ensures customer satisfaction,” adds Stefan Rößler, Head of Prepress.

Standardisation in flexographic printing

PSF defines the requirements for production printing and proofing. The fingerprint serves as a reference, supported by an evaluation scheme that assesses achievable colour space and tone value reproduction. Fogra developed the guideline in close collaboration with industry partners.

‘Our goal is to make flexographic print quality measurable and to simplify communication between clients, repro houses, and printers,’ says Jürgen Gemeinhardt, Head of Printing Technology at Fogra.

Optional certification allows printing companies to demonstrate their production quality to potential customers. Conversely, clients can rely on PSF-certified providers to meet defined quality and delivery standards.

Growing interest in PSF and related services

The new standard has already garnered attention from other printing companies, and further certifications are in the works.

Additionally, Fogra has recently introduced certification for water-based flexo cleaners. Once approved, these cleaning agents can be used in Baldwin washing systems without affecting warranty conditions. The first manufacturers are already preparing their products for testing.

Find out more about the new PSF standard at fogra.org/en/certify/packaging-finishing/psf.

Information on testing flexo cleaners will be available starting in December.

About Fogra Research Institute for Media Technologies 

Fogra conducts application-focused research in the fields of printing and media technologies. In many cases, Fogra has been involved in developing forward-looking and globally acknowledged process and quality inspection standards. The international membership comprises companies from across the entire spectrum of the industry, from producers of printed and electronic media to equipment manufacturers. Fogra sees itself as a modern service provider that carries out inspections tailored to the industry’s needs advises companies on quality questions, and mediates in technical disputes. Fogra’s capital consists of a massive body of knowledge combined with a high degree of technological expertise and a detailed understanding of current developments.