Evidence of the ability to:
identify job requirements, and production problems that could eventuate by not reading and understanding job specifications
identify who to discuss any production problems with to
identify importance of relief plates, why hardness of the printing plate is important, and faults that may be detected on new plates
identify type of solvents to use on photopolymer plates
outline the purpose of binding plates after mounting, and explain V-block mounting
list checks to perform prior to cylinder installation
outline importance of machine frames, and why unit slides need to be kept clean
identify the optimum print sequence
name the visual aid on the plate that identifies the colour of ink to be used
For reel systems only
outline WHS precautions for installing printing cylinders in the machine
identify precautions to ensure plate/cylinders are not damaged during installation
outline the reel transportation system used on a web-fed machine, and the WHS precautions for when webbing up the machine
identify implications if the web is not spiced correctly
describe the process of determining position of the reel
outline implications if the brake tension is not set correctly
describe the function of the ‘dancer’ roller on a web machine and the function of nip rollers
outline the reel delivery system on a web-fed machine, and the WHS precautions for when setting up the reel delivery system
identify the function of web control in the rewind unit, and the slitter on a web machine
identify problems attributable to a blunt knife when sheeting
describe remedial steps if there is a possibility of ink marking in the rewind
list the main reason for blistering on a heat set machine
outline WHS precautions when slitting on the machine, and other operations that can be performed with in-line units
describe the machine position for in-line processing units and \ precautions for setting up in-line processing units
list reasons to top cut a printed product, and benefits of embossing in-line
For sheet systems only
outline the sheet transportation system on a sheet-fed machine, and WHS precautions for setting up the sheet transportation system
identify what causes more than one sheet to pick up in the feeder and describe why accurate feeder set up is essential
outline the process for determining position of the sheet prior to being transferred to the printing unit
outline the process for determining which front lays to use and the types of substrate that require additional front lays to be engaged, and why they are required
describe the sheet delivery system on a sheet-fed machine, what causes sheets to be delivered incorrectly, and WHS precautions for removing sheets from the delivery
describe adjustments needed if changing from lightweight to heavyweight stocks
identify the process for determining sheet release into the delivery
outline problems from excessive use of anti-set off spray powder
identify what causes printed sheets to set off in the delivery
identify how the possibility of set off in delivery can be reduced and how air blast assists sheet delivery
outline packing required in the tympan, and the ideal condition of the tympan
identify the process for determining printing pressure
outline how the correct top sheet tension is achieved when fitting a new tympan, and print faults that can occur if the tympan is not tensioned correctly
identify how to lengthen print length on this type of press, and to shorten the print length
outline WHS concerns related to preparation of inks and additives, and details required to check inks’ suitability for the printing process
outline why it might be necessary to mix an additive into ink and any special end-use requirements that may be necessary
outline how a spectrophotometer can be used to assess ink colour, and formula for calculating the correct quantity of ink in relief printing
identify print faults if excessive driers are mixed into ink, and precautions to minimise waste when preparing ink
identify the shelf life of most ink and the conditions relevant to storage of inks and additives
list conventions for labelling mixed inks
identify the process for setting up the printing machine and major WHS concerns
name the order eccentric or concentric roller adjustments should be made and the width of the contact stripe between two rollers
outline the process for determining ink duct setting, and the ideal setting
name recommended degrees shore hardness for forme rollers
describe types of ink drying/curing systems and how the drying unit cures ink
state what happens if there is excessive pressure when top cutting and excessive pressure when cutting and creasing
describe the effect of differing tooth counts on perforated products
outline problems of solving proofing and adjustment
outline the operation of the true inch function fitted to some machines, and problems that may cause the machine to keep stopping
outline checks necessary prior to engaging the impression, and checks to be performed when running the machine
describe the effect position of certain guards has on operation of the machine
outline steps involved in operating the machine communicated to other team members
name aids available for testing the machine proof, where testing should take place, and tests necessary for each job
name the function of a polarisation filter in a densitometer
describe ideal conditions for inspecting the proof
explain why it is necessary to use visual aids on the printed substrate
describe causes of a halo effect on the image
outline methods to check and adjust ink colour and consistency
describe adjustments that may cause mis-register
describe adjustments to position the image laterally and circumferentially
explain how changing colour sequence can effect the final colour cast
identify causes of excessive mechanical dot gain and the difference between mechanical and optical dot gain
describe the process for final approval before a print run
identify machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task, where are they kept, information included in these documents, and other sources of available information.