Topeka, Kan. -- The Foil Stamping & Embossing Association, Topeka, Kan., is pleased to announce an exciting shift in the direction of its association. As of March 1, 2009, the association's name will change to the Foil & Specialty Effects Association - although still the FSEA. The continuous emergence of print enhancement technologies in the marketplace such as cold foil technologies, specialty coatings, laminates, and laser cutting has created a wealth of opportunity for growth in the print finishing industry. It is the goal of the Foil & Specialty Effects Association to embrace these emerging technologies that compliment foil stamping and embossing. The use of foil, and its counterpart embossing, will remain an integral focus of the new association. It remains the lead in the new association name.

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association plans to serve as a resource and educational platform for many of these new decorating technologies, as well as continue its support of existing ones. According to FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson, "New technologies to apply foil, such as the cold foil process, continue to develop. As an entirely different foil process that requires no stamping, cold foil technology has its own set of applications and is not viewed as competitive to conventional foil stamping is most situations." Furthermore, common ground does exist, particularly in growing the use of foil in the marketplace - a main objective of the FSEA.

Many FSEA members currently engage in several value-added processes, which is even more the reason to unite. Now a cohesive resource for all decorative finishing needs, a sounding board that covers a wide range of processes, and an even greater opportunity to connect and network on a broader scope will exist for current, and prospective, FSEA members.

Peterson continued, "Keeping the acronym FSEA was important to this move, as it is recognized nationally and internationally, drawing more than 10,000 hits to the FSEA website each month. We are the same FSEA but with a broader, unified focus." The FSEA officially will launch its name change during a press conference, February 27, 2009, at Graphics of the Americas.

For more information on the Foil & Specialty Effects Association or on becoming a member, call (785) 271-5816 or visit www.fsea.com.