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:

set up pad printing machines for non-routine print jobs. The individual will set up manual pre- and post-treatment processes and conduct a proof run and adjust settings to ensure production speeds are attained

demonstrate use of computerised control, monitoring and data entry systems if available and appropriate

demonstrate an ability to find and use information relevant to the task from a variety of information sources

set up a machine for complex pad printing on TWO occasions (if possible on different substrates) according to manufacturer's and job specifications, enterprise procedures and the Performance Criteria

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 pad printing machine.

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:

ICPPR342C Produce complex pad printed product.

Required skills

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

communication of ideas and information by interpreting the job brief and providing advice to internal or external clients about options and limitations

collecting, analysing and organising information by collecting and analysing data about printing process, machine specifications and performance to calculate appropriate adjustments for the job

planning and organising activities by providing information about time and materials requirements for production scheduling

teamwork when cooperating with other workers and coordinating the production unit to ensure efficient operation

mathematical ideas and techniques by calculating substrate requirements, cliché and tampon position, and pressures

problem-solving skills by recognising proofing faults and calculating adjustments necessary to meet job specifications

use of technology by using monitoring equipment and computerised production records

Required knowledge

different substrate groups and suggest the correct ink type for each group

plastic subgroups for the purpose of ink selection

adjustments made to the process colour inks for correct colour balance

methods of improving opacity of a light coloured ink on a dark substrate

determining the correct pad shape for (given) applications

effect that pad shape and hardness have on print quality

effect that commonly be seen at the contact point of the nipple of a pad in a large solid print, and how can it be avoided

preparing a new pad for its first printing

determining the correct plate type for (given) applications

difference between steel and photopolymer plates for process printing

reasons for mis-registered images and how can they be corrected

OHS concerns that are there when setting presses and doctor blades

adjustments to the machine so that the doctor blade is operating correctly

effect of a damaged doctor blade

types of doctor blades and explain their applications

OHS concerns that are there when pre- and post-treating substrates

common pre- and post-treatment methods for different substrates and their importance

causes and solutions for common print problems (eg hairlines around image, loss of density in the centre of a solid image, fine lines of ink running through image, distortion of image, picking up ink from substrate by subsequent pads, washed out images, loss of fine lines in images, inconsistent colour)

machine manuals, safety and other documentation that are relevant to this task and where they are kept and information that is included in these documents

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.

Non-routine may include:

non-routine within this context relates to the set up and production of print runs. The set up of equipment and production involves a significant amount of deviation from using standard equipment settings. It also involves significant problem solving and the development of new criteria and procedures for performing current practices. It does not refer to a job that an individual does only occasionally.

Machines may include:

a range of pad printing machines with manual, semi-automated, fully automated or computerised operation.

Inks/coatings may include:

range of standard inks commonly used in multicoloured printing.

Colour matching systems may include:

use of visual colour assessment to match basic standard colours and/or Pantone shades under controlled lighting conditions.

Pre and post-treatment processes may include:

range of pre- and post-treatment techniques used in pad printing.

Design may include:

multicoloured, complex graphics and text. Critical tight registration, fit and position.

Substrate types may include:

range of substrates within the major categories of paper, wood, glass (ceramics), plastics, metal.

Substrate handling may include:

manual handling.