Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to manually paint signs on surfaces, comprised of various letter types and graphics. It covers setting out the sign to scale from a smaller design template using different layout methods; selecting and using tools and equipment to paint letters and graphics; and using brush strokes, techniques and decorative effects to achieve the desired result.
The unit supports sign manufacturers who produce customised signs that are painted directly on to surfaces for a range of purposes, including advertising boards and retail signs.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1 | Plan and prepare work. | 1.1 | Job requirements are identified from drawings, specifications, instructions and client briefs, confirmed, and applied to planning and preparation. |
1.2 | Work site is assessed and scaffolding requirements are identified and installed according to statutory and licensing requirements. | ||
1.3 | Health and safety requirements are identified and applied to planning. | ||
1.4 | Sequence of tasks is determined and confirmed with relevant personnel. | ||
1.5 | Tools and equipmentare selected to carry out tasks according to job requirements, checked for serviceability, and faults are rectified or reported before starting work. | ||
1.6 | Colour selection is determined, consistent with job requirements. |
2 | Lay out sign. | 2.1 | Size and dimensions of sign to be painted are calculated according to sign design and job requirements. |
2.2 | Layout method is selected according to size and scale of the work and is implemented. |
3 | Produce lettering and graphics. | 3.1 | Surface is prepared according to job specifications. |
3.2 | Letters are painted on to surface using tools, equipment and sign-writing techniques according to job requirements. | ||
3.3 | Letter spacing is consistently applied according to job requirements. | ||
3.4 | Errors in paint application are identified and rectified through the sign-writing process. | ||
3.5 | Decorative effects are applied to letters according to job requirements. | ||
3.6 | Graphics are painted on to surface using tools, equipment and brush techniques according to job requirements. |
4 | Clean up. | 4.1 | Finished sign and surrounding surface environment are cleaned and waste materials removed according to statutory and regulatory authority requirements. |
4.2 | Tools and equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), are cleaned, maintained and stored according to workplace requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and must produce four hand-painted signs using both simple and decorative lettering.
The signs must be produced to scale and measure a minimum of 1 square metre for at least two of the following surfaces:
glass
masonry
metals
plastics
wood.
One of the above hand-painted signs must include a small graphic logo with at least four different colours.
A different layout method must be used for each of the above signs, ensuring that the following four methods are used in total:
computer-generated
direct on to substrate
overhead projection
pounce method.
In doing the above work, the person must demonstrate:
correct use of techniques to measure, and calculate and apply scale and dimension when producing the final sign
correct selection and use of brushes, paints and brush techniques to produce job requirements
correct preparation of paints and other tools and equipment
application of health and safety requirements
assessment of own work throughout the process, and identification and rectification of faults in painting letters and decorative effects.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
characteristics, style and sign-writing techniques for simple alphabets, including:
block letters
sans serif alphabets
characteristics, style and sign-writing techniques for decorative alphabets, including:
construction of formal and informal alphabet scripts
freestyle alphabets
serif alphabets
methods for calculating and applying dimensions and scale when laying out signs
contents of and terms used in safe work method statements (SWMS) applicable to sign-writing to decorative forms
principles of design applicable to lettering, including:
theory of letter writing
layout of various types of lettering
relevant Australian standards, including:
AS 2311 General workmanship – painting
AS 2700 Colour standards for general purposes
AS 1530.3 Fire retardant systems
AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment
purpose and application of manufacturer specifications when working with paints and chemicals used to sign write decorative forms
statutory and regulatory authority requirements relating to painting letters and decorative effects for signs, particularly those relating to:
removal of waste products
storage of chemicals and materials
techniques to produce layout accurately to balanced design
terminology and use of abbreviations in the signs and graphics industry.
Assessment Conditions
Suitable assessment of performance requires:
equipment:
paint pots
brushes
materials:
paints
pencils
sign substrates
contingencies:
errors in paint application or brush techniques to be identified and corrected during the work
specifications:
Australian standards:
AS 2311 General workmanship – painting
AS 2700 Colour standards for general purposes
AS 1530.3 Fire retardant systems
AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment
design of sign to be produced, supplied on A4 sheet of paper and showing colours, style and quality requirements of sign
substrate of suitable type and size, as specified in the performance evidence
physical conditions:
may be indoors or outdoors
relationship with client:
confirm job requirements
relationships with team members:
work may be conducted alone or with others
timeframe:
according to job requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Learning skills to: | transfer key principles and techniques of painting decorative effects when working with different sign designs. |
Numeracy skills to: | measure surface and perform calculations to accurately identify required surface area for design calculate scale and dimensions of final sign from drawings and apply to layout processes for sign-writing. |
Oral communication skills to: | enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand. |
Reading skills to: | interpret a range of familiar workplace documentation, including hand drawings, manufacturer specifications and instructions. |
Writing skills to: | report faults in tools and equipment to manufacturers and other relevant personnel. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Health and safety requirements must include: | selection, correct fitting, and use of PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices emergency procedures, including: evacuation first aid location and use of firefighting equipment hazard identification and risk control procedures safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with: traffic control work site visitors and the public working at heights working in confined spaces working in proximity to others use of machines use of tools and equipment workplace environmental requirements. |
Tools and equipment include: | cutting knives mahl sticks oils appropriate to the application paint pots sign-writing pencils, pens and brushes stirring sticks tape measures and rulers tapes. |
Decorative effects must include: | three dimensional (3-D) colour effects shading. |
Sectors
Construction
Competency Field
Signs and graphics