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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 ink for special colour work or other specialised purpose
   • Inks and additives are selected according to job specifications
   • Quality and suitability of inks or additives are checked and appropriate action is taken to meet quality standards of client requirements and enterprise and industry standards
   • Inks are selected according to end-use of product, suitability of substrate, adhesion, physical and chemical resistance, light fastness, drying method and print process
2. Maintain and calibrate equipment
   • Equipment is inspected to ensure it is functional, and where necessary appropriate remedial action is taken prior to commencement
   • Equipment is calibrated, cleaned and adjusted according to manufacturer’s/supplier’s instructions
3. Prepare ink for special colour work or other specialised purpose
   • Inks and additives are prepared according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements and manufacturer’s/supplier’s instructions with suitable precautions to minimise waste
   • Correct colour and weight/volume of ink are calculated, mixed and prepared to match requirements of the job specification and the printing machine to be used
   • Formulation of ink and approved colour is appropriately recorded
4. Store and handle ink
   • Inks and additives are appropriately stored, handled and labelled according to manufacturer’s/supplier’s instructions to prevent damage and hazards to personnel

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

prepare at least TWO different lots of ink and additives that require special colour matching and match colour sample by manual and electronic means

select suitable ink types for different substrates

meet client requirements, job specifications, enterprise and industry standards when selecting, preparing, storing and handling ink or additives, and using equipment.

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:

identify manuals, safety and other documentation needed for this task and briefly outline the relevant information in each source

WHS requirements

outline work health and safety (WHS) requirements for operating machinery or equipment

identify health hazards of using inks, solvents and additives

list pollution and environmental issues to be considered when working with inks and additives

summarise the enterprise procedures for working safely

Ink/additives and test substrate compatibility

describe substrate characteristics and the end use of the substrate

explain why ink colour fastness needs to be determined and considered

explain how to determine whether ink will adhere to the substrate

explain how to test compatibility of solvents, monomers and additives with ink

Ink quantity and match sample by hand/computer

explain the formula for calculating the correct quantity of ink

outline details required to calculate ink quantity

list any computer-based packages used to calculate ink quantity

Ink and check consistency and colour

explain the effect of ink coverage on screen mesh, machine and squeegee

describe the software program(s) used for matching colours and required inputs

describe ideal conditions for matching colours

explain the effect white mixed in colour has on finished colour light fastness

describe methods for checking and adjusting ink colour and consistency

list machine characteristics and other parameters that affect ink deposit and consequently colour

describe effects of viscosity changes in ink

Ink type and record information

explain procedures for recording formulation, by hand or by computer

identify who approves the mixed colour prior to commencing production

identify the process for recording the recipe for the colour

Storage, handling and labelling

explain systems for labelling mixed inks

describe environmental conditions in place for ink storage

explain where to find manufacturer’s specifications and MSDSs.

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