Evidence of the ability to:
demonstrate appropriate 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 outlining production workflow and giving 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
demonstrate 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.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
Troubleshooting and problem-solving
identify problem-solving strategies to use if a key piece of equipment in the production workflow is temporarily unavailable
describe actions required if the substrate type required is unavailable
discuss workarounds to use if a data file error is received while accessing a PDF file
outline what to do if a busy production schedule with tight deadlines and a power failure coincides and appears to be for an indefinite period of time
Analyse and recommend printing solutions
explain factors that influence a decision on using a particular printing solution (run length, substrate type, application)
explain cost differences between a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (eg digital vs lithographic)
describe quality differences between a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (e.g. digital vs lithographic)
explain the difference in turnaround time between a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (e.g. digital vs lithographic)
discuss the most appropriate print method for the specified print job
Communication and client interaction
outline main differences between digital printing and traditional printing methods
discuss recommendations to make to a client who has created an electronic file in an incompatible software application
discuss suggestions to make to a client who requires a high-volume print run but needs a portion of the print job immediately
list steps to follow for client approval of a proof
Job requirements and processing systems
name actions required if vital information is missing from the job ticket (manual or electronic)
outline checks needed prior to set-up (availability of material, maintenance)
discuss what action to take if a file does not transfer correctly
describe main points to be checked before submitting file to print
Data access and manipulation
list checks to ensure data is in a format that can be used in digital print
outline suggestions to make to a client who has an incompatible version of software
list ways to submit a PDF file to the digital printer
explain OCR scanning
discuss how scan resolution affects document size and quality
describe what action is required if a scanned image is too dark
outline the sort of scanner hardware and software configuration that can be used to digitally scan a hardcopy multi-page document with text and images
Digital colour management
outline the difference between colours displayed on a computer monitor and printed colour
describe how machine calibration affects colour consistency
explain how to use printed colour charts to perform colour matching to a proof
explain what the acronym ICC stands for, and its significance
describe how a simulation profile affects colour output
Proofing and adjustment
explain circumstances in which a job can be modified before printing
discuss why margins should be changed when the job reaches the printer
outline steps to get client approval of the print
identify what the proof is checked against
describe the type of proofing system available in the traditional pre-press
explain recommendations that can be made regarding an appropriate proofing system for a specified print job
Document finishing and client delivery
discuss various types of binding
list procedures to be followed if the binding method required by the client is not available at own site
describe why packaging finished print work is important.