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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Select and prepare plate
  2. Expose the plate
  3. Process the plate
  4. Post-treat the plate

Required Skills

Required skills

OHS in relation to operating machinery such as safely switching off machinery before cleaning is started

communication of ideas and information by interpreting the job brief

collecting analysing and organising information by matching the job brief with production requirements

planning and organising activities by preparing plates and work area for work

teamwork when maintaining the production process in association with others

mathematical ideas and techniques by calculating exposures and positioning of film

problemsolving skills by recognising faults in plates and correcting

use of technology by using equipment correctly to ensure ease of subsequent processing

Required knowledge

types of lithographic plates

criteria for selection of plates

advantages and disadvantages of negative and positive plates

Plate exposure techniques and control

images to be centred and square

colour bars and control strips

light sources used in plate exposing frames

plate processing

OHS concerns when processing printing plates

baths and solutions used in a plate processing machine

impact of a change in processor time on the final plate

Plate finishing and correction

purpose of gumming a plate

postexposure techniques

criteria used to evaluate the accuracy of the plate

dot gain issues

difference between physical and optical dot gain

steps to overcome dot gain

plate punching and registration

care to be taken to ensure accurate punching and registration

manuals safety and other documentation are relevant to this task where are they kept and information is included in these documents

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential

the plate is processed according to the plate manufacturers specifications Changes to the plate image are carried out correctly to deliver the standard of output required by the job brief

the underlying skills of plate making should be transferable across the design and prepress sectors It is important that the substrate for reproduction is identified and that the quality of the plate be suitable for the identified printing processes

demonstrate an ability to find and use information relevant to the task from a variety of information sources

prepare set up and use lithographic plate exposure and plate processing equipment to produce ONE lithographic plate manually and ONE using a machine according to the listed Performance Criteria

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

that conditions are typical ambient conditions found in the workplace

access to relevant facilities equipment materials and special purpose tools

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

direct questioningobservation combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Plate may include:

a variety of plates used in offset lithography

Quality may include:

client requirements and enterprise and industry standards