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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 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 where applicable
   • Appropriate use of different types of images (line, half-tone) is investigated and general methods developed for printing
   • Different output settings (screen rulings, angles, shapes) and how they affect final product are researched to develop general methods for printing
   • Different types of output required for different printing processes are determined and general methods developed for printing
   • Different output devices (film setters, plate setters, analogue proofs, digital proofs) are identified and general processes developed for printing
4. Apply knowledge of printing processes
   • Basic principles of printing processes (lithography, relief, flexography, gravure, pad printing, screen printing, digital and electronic printing) are researched
   • Types of jobs and products for which each process is appropriate are identified
   • Capabilities and limitations of each process are investigated and general strategies developed to address client need
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 used to inform printing decisions
   • Types of jobs and products for which each process is appropriate are researched and used to inform printing decisions
6. Apply detailed knowledge of substrates and inks
   • Range of substrates for each printing process is used to inform printing decisions
   • Relationship of different paper sizes is used to inform printing decisions
   • Information about effects of different weights and callipers of substrates on screen printing operations is used to inform printing decisions
   • Effects of paper grain on pre-press, printing and finishing operations are researched and results used to inform production processes
   • Differences in printing on different substrates (paper, plastic, glass) are investigated to inform printing decisions
   • Effects of different properties of ink (drying properties, fastness, gloss) on screen printing operations are observed and results used to inform printing decisions
   • Inks and coatings that are appropriate and inappropriate for particular finishing processes are identified and considered in printing decisions
7. Apply detailed knowledge of screen printing and stencil preparation techniques and requirements
   • Designs that are appropriate for screen printing on particular substrates are identified and used to inform printing decisions
   • Criteria for selecting mesh count and stencil type are determined and used to inform printing decisions
   • Dot gain, trapping and minimising moire requirements for different meshes, stencils, inks and substrates are identified and used to inform printing decisions
   • Effects of different substrates on use and positioning of trimming and folding marks are investigated to inform printing decisions
   • Mechanisms and techniques for adjusting image registration and position are determined and used to inform printing decisions
   • Procedure for determining colour sequence is used to inform printing decisions
   • Adjustments that can be made so that product matches approved proof are determined and used to inform printing decisions
8. Apply knowledge of colour theory
   • Colour theory of additive colours (light), Red, Green, Blue (RGB), is used to inform printing decisions
   • Colour theory of subtractive colours (pigments), Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black) (CMYK), is used to inform printing decisions
   • Relationship between ranges of visual colour RGB and CMYK is used to inform printing decisions
   • Relationship between hue, greyness and substrate for tone and colour correction is used to inform printing decisions
   • Colour matching conditions and colour matching systems are used to inform printing decisions
   • Procedures that ensure effective colour management are implemented
9. Apply basic knowledge of costs of production
   • Types of information that need to be exchanged between different stages of production to facilitate production efficiency are used in personal work practices
   • Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are considered and used in workplace
   • Basic principles of efficient production management are used in personal work practices
10. 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 used to inform production decisions
    • Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are used in workplace
    • Basic principles of efficient production management are applied in workplace