Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Apply knowledge of printing industry
   • Printing industry terminology and vocabulary are used correctly and accurately
   • New technology and new work processes are monitored and implemented when required
   • Trends within printing industry are monitored on an ongoing basis to inform personal work practices
2. Apply knowledge of government Acts and regulations
   • Basic principles and obligations involved in copyright, work health and safety (WHS), environmental protection, access and equity, and industrial awards are observed within workplace and in personal work practices
3. Apply detailed knowledge of pre-press processes
   • Basic 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 used in production processes
   • Appropriate use of different types of images (line, half-tone, digital) is investigated and used to determine job requirements
   • Different output settings (screen rulings, angles, shapes) and their effects on final printed product are described and used
   • Different types of output required for different media and printing processes are determined and used in production process
   • Different output devices (film setters, plate setters, analogue proofs, digital proofs) are identified, evaluated and built into production processes
4. Apply knowledge of printing processes
   • Basic principles of printing processes (lithography, relief, flexography, gravure, pad printing, screen printing, digital and electronic printing) are used to inform production processes
   • Understanding of types of jobs and products for which each process is appropriate is used to inform production decisions
   • Capabilities and limitations of each process are reviewed and used to inform production decisions
5. Apply knowledge of converting and finishing processes
   • Basic characteristics of converting and finishing processes (guillotining, flat-bed and rotary cutting, collating, folding, adhesive, mechanical and thermal fastening) are understood and used to inform production processes
   • Types of jobs and products for which each process is appropriate are assessed and used to inform production processes
6. Apply detailed knowledge of substrates
   • Relationship of different substrate sizes is used to inform production processes
   • Effects of different weights, callipers, bulk, density and opacity of substrates on pre-press, printing and finishing operations and end uses are researched and information used to inform production processes
   • Effects of paper grain on pre-press, printing and finishing operations are researched and information used to inform production processes
   • Impact of moisture content, porosity and ink absorbency on pre-press, printing and finishing operations is determined and used to inform production processes
   • Effects of gloss, smoothness and surface strength on press, printing and finishing operations are determined and used to inform production processes
   • Effects of permanence, durability, and acidity and alkalinity of paper on pre-press, printing and finishing operations and end uses are determined and used to inform production processes
   • Bursting strength, folding endurance, tensile strength and tearing resistance are examined to determine effects on printing and finishing operations, end uses and production processes
7. Apply knowledge of converting and finishing requirements for pre-press and printing processes
   • Use and positioning of trimming and folding marks and how these are affected by different substrates are considered and used to inform production processes
   • Principles of effective quality management are considered and implemented where required during different jobs
   • Effects of different substrates on use and positioning of trimming and folding marks are researched to inform production processes
   • Criteria for producing folding impositions are identified and used to inform production processes
   • Procedures for determining appropriate packing techniques are accessed and used to inform production processes
8. Apply basic knowledge of costs of production
   • Main cost elements (fixed, capital, variable) in printing production are identified and used to inform converting and finishing decisions
   • Information required to accurately cost jobs and means of collecting it (manual and computerised) are applied to work practices
   • Ways of minimising use of materials without affecting quality of output are identified and used to inform converting and finishing processes
   • Ways of maximising efficiency of capital and human resources are identified and used to inform converting and finishing processes
9. Apply basic knowledge of production management requirements and systems
   • Types of information that need to be exchanged during different production stages to facilitate efficient production are used to inform personal work practice
   • Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are selected and used in workplace
   • Basic principles of efficient production management are used to inform personal work practices