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 non-routine production flow that maintains product quality standards

anticipate and rectify any production problems with minimum downtime

correctly shutdown and clean machine 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

monitor production output and make necessary adjustments to maintain print quality on a relief printing machine whilst producing a complex print on two occasions (if possible using different substrates and if possible including at least two in-line processes) according to job specifications and enterprise procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

assessment may take place on the job, off the job or a combination of these. Off the job assessment must be undertaken in a closely simulated workplace environment

access to relevant facilities and equipment, such as 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

The following assessment method is appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence

third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

practical demonstration by the candidate when producing a complex relief printed product.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICPPR451C Set up for complex 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 skills for operating machinery, such as safely switching off machinery before cleaning is started

communication skills for interpreting the job brief and providing advice to clients about options and limitations

collecting, analysing and organising skills for collecting and analysing data about printing process, machine specifications and performance to calculate appropriate adjustments for the job

planning and organising skills for providing information about time and material requirements for production scheduling

teamwork skills for maintaining the production process in association with others

numeracy skills for calculating substrate requirements, plate position and pressures

problem-solving skills for recognising proofing faults and calculating adjustments necessary to meet job specifications

technical skills for monitoring equipment and computerised production records

Required knowledge

reel transportation and web control:

major OHS concerns when setting up the reel transportation system

causes of reel to wandering

causes of the web to break at the unwind unit

print faults resulting from the reel being run out of centre

possible faults in the unwind section that could cause a web break

sheet transportation and transfer at the feeder:

major OHS concerns when setting up the sheet transportation system

result of worn suckers at the feeder suction head

type of two-sheet detection on the machine

amount of movement the sheet should have when being registered by the side lay

causes of mis-register of the sheet feeder

visible signs of the sheet being registered in the feeder

gripper malfunction of sheet control and transfer

sheet transfer mechanisms require adjusting

causes of the feeder stack to becoming uneven

result of the feeder stack not being loaded level

reel delivery for rewinding and sheeting

OHS risks associated with rewinding and sheeting

safety feature is in the delivery system if the web jams up

reasons for sheet cut-off wander

effect of poorly adjusted nip rollers when rewinding and sheeting

sheet delivery:

effect machine speed has on sheet delivery

advantage of spraying moving sheets with anti set-off powder in the delivery

items in the delivery that could cause marking of the printed image

remedial steps necessary to eliminate marking of the printed image

faults that could result from incorrectly set grippers in the transfer section of a machine

devices that need to be adjusted to maintain sheet control in the delivery

printing unit:

result if the plate lifts at the grip edge during a print run

build-up of ink on the impression cylinder affecting the printed product

causes of the ink leaking back in the duct

problem of paper surface picking being rectified

causes of diminished impression during the print run

causes of the plate surface prematurely wearing during production

drying unit:

eating or drinking near the machine when using UV inks

link between driers and set-off and marking

what causes UV ink to dry

causes of the substrate blistering

effect of incorrect drying temperature on the finished product

in-line processes:

major OHS concerns when operating cutting devices

checking the consistency of the cutting and creasing unit

result of excessive pressure on the slitters

benefit of die cutting using a rotary die

advantages of using a perforation wheel to perforate

maintaining production process:

affect of inadequate communication within the work team on a relief printing machine

safety features within the organisation and in maintaining effective production

ramifications if machine guards are removed and/or micro switches are disconnected on a machine

legal responsibility for the removal of machine guards and/or disconnection of micro switches

measurement other than optimum solid ink density that can be measured to assess print quality

most accurate method of checking register during a production run

actions to take when production problems are anticipated

actions to take to eliminate further processing of unacceptable printed product

affect on a stack of paper if the relative humidity is increased in the press room

procedure to care for a newly delivered skid of paper to the press room

reasons for sorting waste

advantage of keeping reusable waste

client liaison:

industry standards to be applied to enhance effective communication with the client

necessary procedures that the client should follow to 'OK' a printed product

relief printing machine operating problems:

when it is necessary to call service personnel to correct a machine problem

what enterprise procedures are in place to report any machine operating problems

shutdown procedures:

result if correct shutdown procedures were not followed

correct shutdown procedures to be conducted with fellow workers

advantages that result from proper labelling and storage of excess inks and materials

importance if printed product being clearly labelled prior to removal from the press room

cleaning and washing up the printing unit:

OHS concerns to be observed when handling ink

safety precautions to be observed when cleaning the printing cylinders

cleaning and washing up techniques for the printing unit prior to the next print run

procedures for storing plates so as to minimise damage

cleaning feed, transportation, delivery and in-line sections:

OHS precautions to be observed when cleaning these sections of the machine

maintaining a clean substrate handling section of the machine

completing production records:

completed records used in the final analysis of the job

benefits of comprehensive records when considering the production of future jobs

information sources:

machine manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to the production of complex relief printed products

other sources of available information

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

metal.

Machine may include:

range of platen

cylinder and rotary machines with manual, semi-automated, fully automated or computerised process control.

Handling may include:

wide and narrow reel, and large and small sheet handling systems.

Ink may include:

range of inks commonly used in 3 or more colour printing, including:

standard

special colours.

In-line may include:

minor processes that are integral to this competency can include basic in-line operations, such as perforating, numbering, date coding, slitting top cutting or one up die cutting, foiling and embossing