Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to make plates (cliches) from film inputs for pad printing.
It requires the individual to correctly select, prepare, process and finish photopolymer plates for pad printing according to the job specifications.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1 Select plate | 1.1 Job specifications are interpreted to ensure appropriate plate 1.2 Correct plate is selected according to printing requirements and job specifications |
2 Pre-plan process | 2.1 Film positives are flattened to prevent air entrapment 2.2 Any exposure unit is energised for one cycle to warm up UV elements where necessary 2.3 Appropriate screen film positive is selected and checked according to printing requirements |
3 Expose plate | 3.1 Exposure is determined by using a quality control step wedge to establish correct exposure time 3.2 Plate is exposed to standard/established exposure time 3.3 Plate is exposed with screen film positive according to job specifications 3.4 Exposure unit and vacuum frame are maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications |
4 Develop plate | 4.1 Chemistry balance is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications 4.2 Washout tools are maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications 4.3 Plate is washed out for pre-determined time established by manufacturer and in-house tests |
5 Finish plate | 5.1 Plate is blown-dry by compressed air 5.2 Plate is dried in a drying oven at a temperature and time according to manufacturer’s specifications 5.3 Plate is post-exposed according to manufacturer’s specifications 5.4 Work health and safety (WHS) procedures are observed to ensure a safe working environment when making plates |
6 Establish and maintain a chemical register | 6.1 A chemical register is established to identify and describe purpose of each chemical and to ensure finished plates meet set specifications 6.2 All chemicals used in work place are identified and registered correctly according to safe working practices |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
produce TWO photopolymer plates with different characteristics according to the listed performance criteria
transfer underlying skills of plate making across the design and pre-press sectors (it is important the substrate for reproduction is identified and the quality of the plate is fit for the identified printing processes)
correctly prepare plate to meet the job brief and manufacturer’s specifications
find and use information relevant to the 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.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
explain effect of print life requirement on selection of plate material
explain effect screen dot has on the printing process
outline work health and safety (WHS) requirements for photopolymer plate chemicals
explain how to overcome undercutting of screens
outline methods to counteract air entrapments between film and plate
list manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to this task and identify where are they kept and what information is included.
Assessment Conditions
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.
Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1, 1.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1 | Recognises and interprets text to establish job requirements from information contained within relevant procedures and specifications |
Writing | 6.1, 6.2 | Completes workplace records and forms accurately and legibly using correct technical and enterprise specific vocabulary |
Numeracy | 3.1, 3.2 | Interprets and comprehends a range of everyday mathematical information used in familiar and routine tasks |
Navigate the world of work | 5.4, 6.1, 6.2 | Complies with legislative requirements and follows organisational policies and procedures relevant to own role |
Interact with others | 1.1, 1.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1 | Cooperates with others as part of familiar routine activities, and contributes to specific activities requiring joint responsibility and accountability |
Get the work done | 1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1-4.3, 5.2, 5.3 | Determines priorities and sequences steps involved in clearly defined, familiar tasks and identifies and assembles resources required Takes responsibility for planning and organising own workload, identifying ways of sequencing and combining elements for greater efficiency and responding to familiar problems within immediate context |
Sectors
Pre-Press