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 ability to:

operate a platen, cylinder or rotary printing machine ensuring an efficient routine production flow that maintains product quality standards

rectify production problems with minimum downtime

shut down machine correctly and clean according to OHS guidelines

use computerised control, monitoring and data entry systems if available and appropriate

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

manipulate embellishment tools and operations

produce two basic relief printing jobs (if possible including at least one in-line process) according to manufacturer's and job specifications and enterprise procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

that conditions are typical ambient conditions found in the workplace

access to relevant facilities and equipment,including platen, cylinder or rotary printing machines

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 questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

practical demonstration by the candidate when setting up and producing a basic relief printed product.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. Evidence for assessment may be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone or through an integrated assessment activity with other units, for example:

ICPSU201C Prepare, load and unload reels and cores on and off machine

ICPSU202C Prepare, load and unload product on and off machine

ICPSU208C Operate and monitor machines (basic)

ICPPR393A Set up for basic relief printing.

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered over a period of time through a range of methods for assessment to indicate consistent performance.

Required skills

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

communication skills for providing feedback to internal and external clients about printing processes and job specifications

collecting, analysing and organising skills for collating details of job and machine specifications and printing processes to ensure efficient production

planning and organising skills for coordinating sequences for printing and washup

teamwork skills for communicating with work team members and workers involved in prior and subsequent processes to ensure efficient production

numeracy skills for calculating consumables requirements

problem-solving skills for identifying print problems and correcting during print run

technical skills for using machines and monitoring systems

Required knowledge

reel or sheet transportation and delivery systems

OHS concerns when loading and handling heavy reel sheets fanned before loading into the press

web tracking and importance to position and register

consequences of not splicing web correctly

components that need to be adjusted to ensure correct delivery

effect of excessive suction on the slow-down wheels

frequency that quality of product should be assessed

causes of a halo effect on the relief print

signs of wear in the image area of the plate marking product deemed unacceptable by operator

monitoring systems

maintaining ink levels

in-line processes

OHS concerns for the in-line components of the press

frequency of examination of in-line components

quality control and problem solving techniques

precautions to be taken to ensure that the rewound product is of consistent acceptable quality

printed material that is not an acceptable standard

quality assurance processes

actions if mild set-off was found on the back of the print

who to consult if there are problems with the print that cannot be fixed by the operator

location of information concerning the correct operation of the machine

shutdown and wash procedures

dangers from solvents and solutions used to clean the inking system, plates, cylinders and the press

procedures for correctly storing plates following printing

parts of the machine that should be thoroughly cleaned following the print run

components that should be inspected for wear following the print run

important records to be kept for repeat prints

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

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.

Substrate may include:

range of substrates within the major categories of:

paper

pressure sensitive material

board

plastics

related films or metal.

Ink may include:

inks commonly used in 1-2 colour printing.

Machine may include:

a range of platen, cylinder and rotary printing machines with:

manual

semi-automated

fully automated

computerised process control.

In-line may include:

basic in-line operations, such as:

perforating

numbering

date coding

slitting top cutting

one up die cutting

foiling

embossing.