This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to electronically combine and assemble data to produce a page layout.

It applies to individuals in the printing and graphic art industry who design and prepare layouts and artwork, and manipulate images and texts to meet production requirements. They generally work under direct supervision.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence of the ability to:

use a desktop platform (or high-end system) with appropriate layout, design and drafting software, to combine and assemble TWO jobs following the job brief and according to the listed performance criteria. (Since underlying skills associated with combining and assembling should be transferable across the design and pre-press sectors, it is important that substrates be identified along with the associated printing process that is being simulated.)

find and use information relevant to task from a variety of information sources.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

explain how to create a page layout according to job specifications

describe function of electronic trapping of image elements as applied to image assembly

explain how trapping relates to job specification

outline how step and repeat layout is prepared to suit a job specification

list main criteria for evaluating final output

outline requirements of a contract proof as compared to an in-house check proof

list manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task and identify where are they kept and what information is included.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the Pre-Press field of work and include access to special purpose tools, equipment and industry software packages.

In a pre-press environment many individuals are required to be competent in the use of more than one page layout application.

If this unit is to be used to assess competency with page layout applications, it should be used as a secondary unit to ICPPP224 Produce pages using a page layout application. It should be used when an additional page layout application is being assessed or taught.

It is not to be used to assess an individual on the same page layout application as ICPPP224 Produce pages using a page layout application. In other words, the individual should not receive two units of competency for one page layout application.

Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.

This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.

Pre-Press