ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Apply knowledge of printing industry | 1.1. Printing industry terminology and vocabulary are used correctly and accurately 1.2. New technology and new work processes are monitored and implemented when required 1.3. Trends within the printing industry are monitored on an ongoing basis to inform personal work practices |
2. Apply knowledge of government acts and regulations | 2.1. Basic principles and obligations involved in copyright, OHS, environmental protection, access and equity and industrial awards are understood in relation to the workplace 2.2. The basic principles and obligations involved in copyright, OHS, environmental protection, access and equity and industrial awards are followed in personal work practices |
3. Apply knowledge of pre-press processes | 3.1. The principles behind the following pre-press functions: image production (typesetting, scanning, graphic arts camera), image combining (manual and electronic), image output (film, plates, direct to press) and digital workflow are understood and used in the production process where applicable 3.2. Different types of images (line, half-tone) and their use are understood 3.3. The qualities of the main material types of paper, ink, adhesive, wax and plastic films and extrusion are understood and used to inform product development choices 3.4. Different output settings eg screen rulings and angles, shapes, and how they affect final product are understood 3.5. The different types of output required for different printing processes are understood 3.6. Different output devices eg film setters, plate setters, analogue proofs, digital proofs are understood |
4. Apply knowledge of printing processes | 4.1. Basic principles of the following printing processes: lithography, relief, flexography, gravure, pad printing, screen printing, digital/electronic printing are understood and used to inform production processes 4.2. The types of jobs and products for which each process is appropriate are understood and used to inform production decisions 4.3. The capabilities and limitations of each process are understood and used to inform production decisions |
5. Apply knowledge of converting and finishing processes | 5.1. Basic characteristics of the following converting and finishing processes: guillotining, flat-bed and rotary cutting, collating, folding, adhesive, mechanical and thermal fastening are understood and used to inform production processes 5.2. The types of jobs and products for which each process is appropriate are understood and used to inform production processes |
6. Apply detailed knowledge of paper and printing processes | 6.1. The relationship of different paper sizes is understood and used to inform production processes 6.2. Different weights, callipers, bulk, density and opacity of paper and how they affect pre-press, printing and finishing operations and end uses are understood and used to inform production processes 6.3. Paper grain and how it affects pre-press, printing and finishing operations are understood and used to inform production processes 6.4. Moisture content, porosity and ink absorbency and how they affect pre-press, printing and finishing operations are understood and used to inform production processes 6.5. Gloss, smoothness and surface strength and how they affect pre-press, printing and finishing operations are understood and used to inform production processes 6.6. Permanence, durability and acidity and alkalinity of paper and how they affect pre-press, printing and finishing operations and end uses are understood and used to inform production processes 6.7. Bursting strength, folding endurance, tensile strength and tearing resistance and how they affect printing and finishing operations and end uses are understood and used to inform production processes 6.8. Paper behaviour and how it affects different production processes is understood and used to inform production decisions 6.9. The effect of combining paper with adhesive, wax and plastic films on the production process is understood and used to inform production decisions |
7. Apply detailed knowledge of paper grades and colours | 7.1. Paper types and grades and end uses for each type and grade are understood and used to inform production processes The IPS system, its basis and the relationship of different paper sizes are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 7.2. The differences between wood pulp, rag and recycled papers and appropriate end uses are understood and used to inform production processes 7.3. Colour matching processes are understood and used to inform production processes 7.4. The effect of different paper colours on printing operations is understood and used to inform production processes |
8. Apply detailed knowledge of paper handling and storage procedures | 8.1. Ideal storage conditions for different types and grades of paper are understood and used to inform production procedures 8.2. The advantages and disadvantages of different packing and delivery systems are understood and used to inform production procedures |
9. Apply basic knowledge of costs of production | 9.1. The main cost elements (fixed, capital and variable) in production are understood and applied in the workplace 9.2. The information required to accurately cost jobs and the means of collecting it (manual and computerised) are understood and applied in the workplace 9.3. Ways of minimising use of materials without affecting the quality of output are understood and applied in the workplace 9.4. Ways of maximising efficiency of capital and human resources are understood and applied in the workplace |
10. Apply knowledge of production management requirements and systems | 10.1. The types of information that need to be exchanged between different stages of production to facilitate production efficiency are understood and applied in the workplace 10.2. Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are understood and applied in the workplace 10.3. The basic principles of efficient production management are understood and applied in the workplace |