This unit requires the individual to select computerised settings to set up and run a press to acceptable tolerances and to monitor quality both electronically and visually during the run, and to make adjustments to maintain print quality. Additional adjustments to the specifications may be made during the run and adjustments made to suit.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Set up print control devices

1.1. CIP3/CIP4 data, or equivalent, is used to create a profile

1.2. Job is made ready to achieve position, register and fit to the specified standards

1.3. Colour is made ready to match appropriate colour standards

1.4. Data is interpreted and appropriate adjustments made to gain approval to run press

2. Maintain print quality throughout the run

2.1. Print is inspected visually to meet specified standards during run

2.2. Data is analysed against the required standards

2.3. Appropriate adjustments are made to maintain consistency throughout run

2.4. At regular intervals monitor and maintain job to ensure quality

Required skills

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

communication of ideas and information by communicating specifications for colour profiles and pre-press requirements for printing to clients

collecting, analysing and organising information by collating and integrating information on colour profiles and press performance

planning and organisng activities by establishing sequence of monitoring to ensure quality output

teamwork when integrating job planning with pre-press

mathematical ideas and techniques by understanding and applying colour profiles and curves to machine adjustment

problem-solving skills by monitoring samples and adjusting equipment as necessary

use of technology by efficiently using monitoring systems to ensure quality output

Required knowledge

colour theory of additive colours (light), RGB

colour theory of subtractive colours (pigments), CMYK

relationship between ranges of visual colour RGB and CMYK

ICC profiling

underlying principle of densitometry

underlying principle of spectrophotometry

basic underlying principles for determining tolerance in densitometry and spectrophotometry

an original colour control bar determinates

determining the accuracy of the elements in a colour bar

ensuring consistent print quality output

recognising colour contamination

setting alarm limits for colour contamination

accessing data

determine that data is appropriate

sample to ensure consistency

processes that you would put in place if sample varies from standard

ways quality can vary and how they can be fixed

computerised functions, common faults and electronic registration systems

information that you need from pre-press to ensure quality product

information that you need to give to pre-press to ensure quality product

meaning of the terms registration, fit, position and alignment

importance of registration marks

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:

may be defined by enterprise/operator or default tolerances, client requirements, colour tolerances, industry standards

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

set up and align monitoring device to appropriate standards on THREE occasions

produce profiles of samples taken during THREE different print runs that show print production is within agreed tolerances, if possible using different variables

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

a computerised printing machine.

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:

this unit is an additional skill to most printing units and may be assessed at the same time.

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.

Specified standards may include:

may be defined by enterprise/operator or default tolerances, client requirements, colour tolerances, industry standards.

Presses may include:

press must be aligned to recognised colour standard.

Monitoring systems may include:

built-in or add-on or stand alone systems including: image control. Electronic colour management eg densitometry, colour imagery, Komori system, spectrophotometry.

Quality standards may include:

CIP3 and CIP4

Electronic data transfer may include:

press management systems such as Prepress Interface, PECOM.

Plates may include:

colour bars must be original.

Unit sector

Printing

This unit contains employability skills.