Assessor Resource

ICPPRP268
Make photopolymer plates (flexographic)

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to make flexographic plates from film inputs. It requires the individual to correctly select, prepare, process and finish photopolymer plates to meet the job specifications.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 Select plate

1.1 Job specifications are interpreted to ensure appropriate plateselection

1.2 Correct plate is selected according to printing requirements and job specifications

2 Pre-plan process

2.1 Film negatives are checked for conformance with job specifications

2.2 Extra exposure masking is planned by examining film

2.3 Appropriate exposure masks are cut

2.4 Appropriate amount of plate material is calculated to ensure economical use

3 Expose plate

3.1 Exposure is determined by using step wedges and depth gauge to establish correct front and back exposure time

3.2 Plate is exposed according to job specifications

3.3 Exposure unit and vacuum frame are maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications

4 Develop plate

4.1 Chemistry balance is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications

4.2 Washout unit is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications

4.3 Plate is washed out to pre-determined depth pre-set by front and back exposures

5 Finish plate

5.1 Plate is dried in a drying oven at a temperature and time according to manufacturer’s specifications

5.2 Back of the plate is cleaned

5.3 Plate is post-exposed according to manufacturer’s specifications

5.4 Plate is light finished according to manufacturer’s specifications

5.5 Work Health and Safety (WHS) procedures are observed to ensure a safe working environment when making plates

6 Establish and maintain a chemical register

6.1 Chemical register is established to identify and describe purpose of each chemical and ensure finished plates meet set specifications

6.2 All chemicals used in the workplace are identified and registered correctly according to safe working practices

Evidence of the ability to:

produce TWO flexographic plates, with different characteristics

correctly finish plates to meet the job brief, according to manufacturer’s specifications.

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:

explain effect flexographic ink has on selection of plate material

describe effect of ‘shoulder’ on the printing process

outline ways to overcome ‘orange peel effect’

describe effects of chemicals used in detaching

name methods to counteract image elongation

list manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task and identify where are they kept and what information is included.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the Pre-Press field of work and include access to special purpose tools, equipment and industry software packages.

Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 Select plate

1.1 Job specifications are interpreted to ensure appropriate plateselection

1.2 Correct plate is selected according to printing requirements and job specifications

2 Pre-plan process

2.1 Film negatives are checked for conformance with job specifications

2.2 Extra exposure masking is planned by examining film

2.3 Appropriate exposure masks are cut

2.4 Appropriate amount of plate material is calculated to ensure economical use

3 Expose plate

3.1 Exposure is determined by using step wedges and depth gauge to establish correct front and back exposure time

3.2 Plate is exposed according to job specifications

3.3 Exposure unit and vacuum frame are maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications

4 Develop plate

4.1 Chemistry balance is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications

4.2 Washout unit is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications

4.3 Plate is washed out to pre-determined depth pre-set by front and back exposures

5 Finish plate

5.1 Plate is dried in a drying oven at a temperature and time according to manufacturer’s specifications

5.2 Back of the plate is cleaned

5.3 Plate is post-exposed according to manufacturer’s specifications

5.4 Plate is light finished according to manufacturer’s specifications

5.5 Work Health and Safety (WHS) procedures are observed to ensure a safe working environment when making plates

6 Establish and maintain a chemical register

6.1 Chemical register is established to identify and describe purpose of each chemical and ensure finished plates meet set specifications

6.2 All chemicals used in the workplace are identified and registered correctly according to safe working practices

Evidence of the ability to:

produce TWO flexographic plates, with different characteristics

correctly finish plates to meet the job brief, according to manufacturer’s specifications.

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:

explain effect flexographic ink has on selection of plate material

describe effect of ‘shoulder’ on the printing process

outline ways to overcome ‘orange peel effect’

describe effects of chemicals used in detaching

name methods to counteract image elongation

list manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task and identify where are they kept and what information is included.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the Pre-Press field of work and include access to special purpose tools, equipment and industry software packages.

Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Job specifications are interpreted to ensure appropriate plateselection 
Correct plate is selected according to printing requirements and job specifications 
Film negatives are checked for conformance with job specifications 
Extra exposure masking is planned by examining film 
Appropriate exposure masks are cut 
Appropriate amount of plate material is calculated to ensure economical use 
Exposure is determined by using step wedges and depth gauge to establish correct front and back exposure time 
Plate is exposed according to job specifications 
Exposure unit and vacuum frame are maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications 
Chemistry balance is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications 
Washout unit is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications 
Plate is washed out to pre-determined depth pre-set by front and back exposures 
Plate is dried in a drying oven at a temperature and time according to manufacturer’s specifications 
Back of the plate is cleaned 
Plate is post-exposed according to manufacturer’s specifications 
Plate is light finished according to manufacturer’s specifications 
Work Health and Safety (WHS) procedures are observed to ensure a safe working environment when making plates 
Chemical register is established to identify and describe purpose of each chemical and ensure finished plates meet set specifications 
All chemicals used in the workplace are identified and registered correctly according to safe working practices 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICPPRP268 - Make photopolymer plates (flexographic)
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICPPRP268 - Make photopolymer plates (flexographic)

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: