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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. Select plate
   • Job specifications are interpreted to ensure appropriate plateselection
   • Correct plate is selected according to printing requirements and job specifications
2. Pre-plan process
   • Film negatives are checked for conformance with job specifications
   • Extra exposure masking is planned by examining film
   • Appropriate exposure masks are cut
   • Appropriate amount of plate material is calculated to ensure economical use
3. Expose plate
   • Exposure is determined by using step wedges and depth gauge to establish correct front and back exposure time
   • Plate is exposed according to job specifications
   • Exposure unit and vacuum frame are maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications
4. Develop plate
   • Chemistry balance is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications
   • Washout unit is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications
   • Plate is washed out to pre-determined depth pre-set by front and back exposures
5. Finish plate
   • Plate is dried in a drying oven at a temperature and time according to manufacturer’s specifications
   • Back of the plate is cleaned
   • Plate is post-exposed according to manufacturer’s specifications
   • Plate is light finished according to manufacturer’s specifications
   • Work Health and Safety (WHS) procedures are observed to ensure a safe working environment when making plates
6. Establish and maintain a chemical register
   • Chemical register is established to identify and describe purpose of each chemical and ensure finished plates meet set specifications
   • All chemicals used in the workplace are identified and registered correctly according to safe working practices

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

produce TWO flexographic plates, with different characteristics

correctly finish plates to meet the job brief, according to manufacturer’s specifications.

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:

explain effect flexographic ink has on selection of plate material

describe effect of ‘shoulder’ on the printing process

outline ways to overcome ‘orange peel effect’

describe effects of chemicals used in detaching

name methods to counteract image elongation

list manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task and identify where are they kept and what information is included.

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