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

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Troubleshoot and maintain operations of digital print system
   • Errors in operation of hardware and consumable components in the printing module of a digital printing system are identified and rectified
   • Source of errors related to electronic data file, digital front-end, workstation or industry software or hardware printing systems is located and rectified and/or technical assistance is coordinated according to manufacturer’s specifications
   • Preventive maintenance is performed according to manufacturer’s specifications to ensure digital print system functions at optimum productivity with minimum downtime and wastage
   • Incompatibilities between versions of hardware and software used in digital printing are identified and rectified
2. Liaise with clients
   • Print service and quality expectations are clearly communicated to client according to enterprise procedures
   • Advice is provided to clients on how to set up electronic data files for digital printing according to enterprise procedures, manufacturer’s specifications and digital print equipment capabilities
   • Advice is provided to clients on appropriate substrates and document finishing methods for digital printing jobs, according to client’s budget and job specifications
3. Perform basic electronic document impositions
   • Electronic file imposition using a range of industry software is completed according to job specifications
   • Document finishing requirements for an imposed digital print job are finalised with co-workers or external services, if required, according to equipment availability and enterprise procedures
4. Perform basic digital colour management
   • Red Green Blue (RGB), Cyan Magenta Yellow Black (CMYK) and PMS colour charts are outputted and differences between computer monitor colour and digitally printed colour are adjusted
   • Common problems of colour digital printing are rectified and communicated to clients according to job specifications
5. Access and verify electronic data files
   • Workstation computer and industry software are used to locate and retrieve electronic data files according to job specifications
   • Digital front-end processor is used to locate and retrieve electronic data files according to job specifications
   • Preview or pre-flight check of electronic data files is performed to verify correct job set-up according to job specifications
   • Basic troubleshooting methods are applied to identify unverified data files, file errors and job requirement inconsistencies according to manufacturer’s specifications
6. Submit data files to digital print system
   • Job priority is determined according to job specifications and production schedules
   • Data files are submitted to print and image quality checks, and machine productivity checks are performed
7. Produce digital proof and run print job
   • Proof run is conducted to confirm proof conforms to job specifications and/or for client approval
   • Print run is conducted according to job specifications ensuring machine productivity and quality are monitored and rectified throughout the print job
8. Coordinate and/or perform document finishing and client delivery
   • Steps required for document finishing are determined, if not performed on in-line finishing units, on a web or sheet-fed system according to enterprise procedures
   • Finished print work is packaged to prevent damage and to conform to delivery requirements according to job specifications

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

accurately produce a flowchart that demonstrates FOUR examples of digital print workflows for digital printing (one basic document file, one variable data document file, one colour document file and one electronically imposed document file)

conduct and manage a digital print run according to client specifications and work health and safety (WHS) requirements.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

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Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

name safety devices that need to be in place when working on the machine

explain a paper misfeed, how to access and clear it

explain potential problems with front to back registration, and if substrate weight and machine specifications do not match

outline problems that can occur when downloading files from a digital front-end and how can they be solved, including distinguishing between problems with downloading from a digital front-end, and with the printing module

describe action if a digital front-end loses communication with the printing module

outline precautions to maintain fit, proportion and position of printed images, and how to ensure the machine has been calibrated to manufacturer’s specifications

outline the process if image colour is not consistent

outline the process for ensuring correct dimensions and measurements have been set up in the pre-press stage

identify quality issues if improper substrate handling procedures are not performed

identify machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to machine operation and maintenance, where they are kept, and how to find information relating to industry software applications and other relevant sources of information

describe the process if the incorrect version of software is loaded or needs an update

outline actions if vital information is missing from the job ticket (manual or electronic)

outline checks undertaken prior to set-up (availability of material, maintenance)

outline the process if a file does not transfer correctly and what to do to correct the problem

outline checks to ensure data is in a format that can be used in digital printing, and benefits of using electronic data rather than scanning hardcopy

describe ways to submit a PDF file to the digital printer

describe the process to ensure clients have correct procedures for providing electronic files

describe the process of explaining to a client differences in colour displayed on a computer monitor compared to printed output

outline recommendations to a client who has created an electronic file in an incompatible software application

describe the process for estimating turnaround time for a client with a tight deadline

describe steps for client approval of the print

proofing and adjustment and circumstances where a job would be modified before printing

outline situations where margins would be changed when the job reaches the printer

name what the proof is checked against

describe the final approval process for basic jobs

describe the process for adjusting colour, toner/ink coverage or dealing with density problems

outline the process if required substrate were unavailable

name the maximum and minimum weight of substrate that can be printed on a specific machine, and maximum feeding and delivery quantities for the machine

explain possible problems with incorrect feeding and delivery

explain OHS procedures to follow when setting up in-line processes

outline in-line options and on-line finishing options available on the machine

describe the process for document finishing and client delivery

describe various types of binding, and procedures, if the binding method required by the client is not available at your site

outline options if the document size is too thick to staple

describe importance of packaging of finished print work.

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