Elements and Performance Criteria
- Apply knowledge of printing industry
- Apply knowledge of government Acts and regulations
- Apply detailed knowledge of pre-press processes
- Principles behind pre-press functions such as image production (typesetting, scanning, graphic arts camera), image combining (manual and electronic), image output (film, plates, direct to press) and digital workflow are understood and applied
- Different types of images (line, half-tone, digital) and their uses are assessed to identify most appropriate image for given job
- Different output settings (screen rulings, angles, shapes), are researched and their effects on final product are evaluated
- Different types of output required for different printing processes are researched and evaluated for different jobs
- Different output devices (film setters, plate setters, analogue proofs, digital proofs) are researched and evaluated for different jobs
- Apply knowledge of printing processes
- Basic principles of printing processes (lithography, relief, flexography, gravure, pad printing, screen printing, digital and electronic printing) are appraised to inform decisions made for different jobs
- Types of jobs and products for each process are considered to ensure appropriate choices are made to meet client needs
- Capabilities and limitations of each process are reviewed for different jobs
- Apply knowledge of converting and finishing processes
- Apply knowledge of substrates and inks
- Range of substrates used for each printing process is researched and evaluated for different jobs
- Relationship of different paper sizes is considered for different jobs
- Effects of different weights and callipers of substrates on pre-press operations are researched for different jobs
- Effects of paper grain on pre-press, printing and finishing operations are researched for different jobs
- Effects of different properties of ink (drying properties, fastness, gloss) on pre-press operations are researched for different jobs
- Apply detailed knowledge of pre-press requirements for printing and finishing processes
- Designs that are appropriate for different printing processes are explored according to different jobs
- Dot gain and trapping requirements for different printing processes, inks and substrates are evaluated for different jobs
- Effects of different substrates on use and positioning of trimming and folding marks are evaluated for different jobs
- Criteria for evaluating suitability of pre-press outputs for printing processes are explored and implemented
- Criteria for producing folding impositions are evaluated for different jobs
- Apply knowledge of colour theory
- Colour theory of additive colours (light), Red, Green, Blue (RGB), is used to inform pre-press and/or design decisions
- Colour theory of subtractive colours (pigments), Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black) (CMYK), is used to inform pre-press and/or design decisions
- Relationship between ranges of visual colour RGB and CMYK is used to inform pre-press and/or design decisions
- Relationship between hue, greyness and substrate for tone and colour correction is used to inform pre-press and/or design decisions
- Colour matching conditions and colour matching systems are used to inform pre-press and/or design decisions
- Procedures that ensure effective colour management are implemented
- Apply basic knowledge of costs of production
- Main cost elements (fixed, capital, variable) in pre-press production are considered during different jobs
- Information required to accurately cost jobs and means of collecting it (manual and computerised) are considered and implemented, where required, during different jobs
- Ways of minimising use of materials without affecting quality of output are considered and implemented during different jobs
- Ways of maximising efficiency of capital and human resources are considered and implemented during different jobs
- Apply basic knowledge of production management requirements and systems
- Types of information that need to be exchanged between different stages of production to facilitate production efficiency are identified and implementation strategies are developed
- Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are considered and implemented during different jobs
- Basic principles of efficient production management are applied during different jobs
- Principles of effective quality management are considered and implemented during different jobs