The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

organisation skills to coordinate pre-press, print run, finishing and delivery production workflows

produce and access complex electronic data

conduct a digital proof run

perform digital colour management

adjust settings and ensure productivity

perform preventive maintenance on digital printer

demonstrate use of computerised control and monitoring systems if available and appropriate

perform preventive maintenance tasks on a digital printer according to manufacturer's specifications

prepare a written document that outlines production workflow and give reasons for production methods selected for a print job using the following job specifications within a specified production environment for:

4-colour advertising brochure

quantity: 2000

substrate: 120gsm coated

text: supplied electronically

images: continuous tone photographs supplied

logos and line art: supplied electronically

layout: hand drawn thumbnails supplied

finished size: A3 bleed

finishing: guillotined, folded and saddle

packaging: boxed

turnaround time: 100 in 48 hours and remainder in 14 days

produce a digital colour proof of a supplied electronic file

use a digital colour management system to perform colour matching to a supplied proof

for valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered over a period of time through a range of methods for assessment to indicate consistent performance

evidence for assessment may be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone or through an integrated assessment activity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

assessment may take place on the job, off the job or a combination of these. Off the job assessment must be undertaken in a closely simulated workplace environment

a digital printing machine and a digital front end.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICPPR281C Set up and produce basic digital print

ICPPR282C Produce and manage basic digital print

ICPPR481C Set up and produce complex digital print.

Required skills

OHS in relation to operating machinery such as safely switching off machinery before cleaning is started

communication of ideas and information by providing information to client on how to construct digital files to achieve accurate print results

collecting, analysing and organising information by determining printing conditions to identify colour management requirements

planning and organising activities by designing production workflows to ensure efficient print processes

teamwork when maintaining production workflows in association with co-workers

mathematical ideas and techniques by using calibration techniques to determine dot densities

problem-solving skills by identifying workflow problems and implementing strategies to improve productivity

use of technology by using proficiently computer hardware and software to maximise productivity

Required knowledge

problem-solving strategies that could you use if a key piece of equipment in the production workflow was temporarily unavailable

actions required if the substrate type you required was unavailable

workarounds that could be used if you received a data file error when accessing a PDF file

what to do if you had a busy production schedule with tight deadlines and a power failure occurred for an indefinite period of time

factors that influence making a decision about using a particular printing solution (run length, substrate type, application)

cost difference between a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (eg digital vs lithographic)

quality difference between a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (eg digital vs lithographic)

difference in turnaround time of a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (eg digital vs lithographic)

print method that would be the most appropriate option for the specified print job

main differences between digital printing and traditional printing methods

recommendations that could be made to a client who has created an electronic file in an incompatible software application

suggestions that could be made to a client who required a high volume print run but needed a portion of the print job immediately

steps that need to be followed for a client approval of a proof

actions required if vital information was missing form the job ticket (manual or electronic)

checks needing to be undertaken prior to set up (availability of material, maintenance)

file does not transfer correctly what action should be taken to correct the problem

main points to be checked before submitting file to print

checks are made to ensure the data is in a format that can be used in digital print

suggestions that could be made to a client who has an incompatible version of software

ways to submit a PDF file to the digital printer

OCR scanning

scan resolution affecting document size and quality

action required if a scanned image was too dark

sort of scanner hardware and software configuration that could be used to digitally scan a hard copy multi-page document with text and images

difference between colours displayed on a computer monitor and printed colour

machine calibration affecting colour consistency

using printed colour charts to perform colour matching to a proof

what the acronym ICC stands for and what is the significance

how a simulation profile affects colour output

circumstances in which a job be modified before printing

why margins should be changed when the job reaches the printer

steps that need to be followed for client approval of the print

what the proof is checked against

type of proofing system that is available in the traditional pre-press

recommendations that you could make regarding an appropriate proofing system for a specified print job

document finishing and client delivery

various types of binding

procedures to be followed if the binding method required by the client was not available at your site

why packaging finished print work is important

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Workflow may include:

task breakdown of the print production cycle for a range of electronic data files, computer systems, digital front ends, industry software, workplace regulations and printing machines.

Manufacturer's specifications may include:

technical, administrator and user specifications documented by a manufacturer for a range of printing machines.

Enterprise procedures may include:

may include rules, standards, OHS guidelines, communication protocols and behaviour codes of a range of workplace environments.

Workstationcomputer may include:

personal computer with either proprietary or non-proprietary operating systems used to create, access and edit electronic data files from a range of manufacturers eg Apple, IBM, UNIX.

Industry software may include:

range of software to design, create, access, edit and print electronic data files from a range of manufacturers eg Adobe, Quark Inc., Macromedia, Microsoft.

Electronic data files may include:

range of proprietary or non-proprietary data file formats compatible with a range of workstation computers and industry software.

Pre-flight may include:

user software designed to check, preview and edit to ensure data file integrity for a range of operating systems and printing machines.

Machines may include:

range of non-impact printing machines including inkjet and laser with or without colour manipulation capability, and including machines with computerised monitoring and/or control.

Calibration may include:

mechanical and/or electronic and/or visual controls used to identify and correct ink coverage and density inconsistencies in a range of printing equipment.

Substrates may include:

range of print media and paper

Colour matchingsystems may include:

use of visual colour assessment and matching under controlled lighting conditions.

In-line processes may include:

minor in-line processes such as perforating, numbering, date coding, imposition, that do not constitute another defined unit of competency. Major in-line process is defined as a separate competency eg flat-bed cutting, folding.

Inking systems may include:

range of inks, dyes, toners commonly used in 2-colour printing, including special colours.

Design may include:

1-2 colour, simple graphics and text. Minor variation in registration position.

User replaceable consumables may include:

consumables required to be changed by an individual if damaged or reached expiry. Used by a range of printing machines for correct functioning such as ink, toner, developer, waste toner, cleaning web, fuser, substrates.

User control interface may include:

computerised monitoring and data entry device used to enter machine default settings, job specification settings, monitor machine status and perform machine productivity enhancements.

Performance expectations may include:

manufacturer's documented statement of print machine productivity and quality capabilities and limitations eg substrate feed and speeds, substrate recommendations, substrate weight and size capabilities, productivity and performance issues associated with a variety of print jobs.

Registration mechanisms may include:

mechanical and/or electronic controls used to adjust substrate position throughout substrate feeding and transport units of a range of printing machines.

Digital front-end may include:

proprietary computer processor hardware and software required to interpret electronic data files and convert to print-ready data.