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:

prepare and mount flexographic plates and plate cylinders for complex printing. Plates meet the job specifications and registration is checked if necessary

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

mount and demount plates and install in a flexographic printing machine for a variety of different complex print jobs on TWO occasions according to job specifications and the Performance Criteria

evidence for assessment may be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone or through an integrated assessment activity.

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

4 or more colour flexographic press.

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.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICPPR413C Set up for complex flexographic printing

ICPPR414C Produce complex flexographic printed product.

Required skills

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

communication of ideas and information by interpreting job brief and advising client (internal or external) about options and limitations

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

planning and organising activities by providing information about time and materials requirements for production scheduling

teamwork when cooperating with other workers and coordinating production unit to ensure efficient operation

mathematical ideas and techniques by calculating plate position and pressures

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

use of technology by using monitoring equipment and computerised production records

Required knowledge

the need to ensure that the job specifications are read and properly understood

production problems that could eventuate by not reading and understanding the job specifications

the person you would discuss any production problems

OHS concerns that are there when mounting and demounting plates

the most common cause of photopolymer plates crazing on the image side

the importance of the resiliency of the printing plate

the main advantage of using thin photopolymer plates in process printing

faults that may be detected on new plates

type of solvents that should be used on photopolymer plates

the benefits of optical mounting

the purpose of binding plates after mounting

possible print faults that could be eliminated by using cushion mount

the result of air being trapped under plates

selecting the correct cushion mount for a particular job

eliminating low spots

minimising press bounce in jobs that are mounted more than one across

some possible causes of print slur

preventing or minimise plates lifting

methods used to make registering the job easier on the press

machine manuals, safety and other documentation that are relevant to this task and where are they kept

information that is included in these documents

other sources of information that are available

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.

Jobs may include:

surface and reverse (lamination) prints.

Non-routine may include:

non-routine within this context relates to the set up and production of print runs. The set up of equipment and production involves a significant amount of deviation from using standard equipment settings. It also involves significant problem solving and the development of new criteria and procedures for performing current practices. It does not refer to a job that an individual does only occasionally.

Types of plates may include:

range of plate types and thicknesses used in flexographic printing.

Inks/coatings may include:

range of inks commonly used in 3 or more colour printing, including standard and special colours.

Colour matching systems may include:

use of viscosity controls, densitometers and spectrophotometry.

Machines may include:

range of stack, in-line and central impression flexographic printing machines with manual, semi-automated or fully automated process control.

Design may include:

4 or more colours, complex graphics and text. Critical "tight" registration, fit and position, registration should be at least that required for four-colour process work.

Tape may include:

tape characteristics, densities.