Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manually produce three or more colour screen prints.
It applies to individuals working in the printing and graphic arts industry who may have to set up and operate power-driven or hand-operated screen printing machines. They may have to provide leadership and guidance to others and have some limited responsibility for the output of others.
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 Load substrate | 1.1 Substrate is checked against job specifications with any irregularities reported and rectified where possible 1.2 Substrate position and stencil registration are adjusted according to job specifications |
2 Apply ink to screen | 2.1 Ink is applied to screen in quantity required for screen size 2.2 Equipment is kept clean and spills are minimised 2.3 Colour is mixed and ink is checked against job specifications |
3 Produce proof print | 3.1 Proof print is run off and checked for colour, strength, registration, adhesion, clarity, gloss level, drying or curing, artwork detail and other technical aspects according to job specifications 3.2 Adjustments are made as required 3.3 Appropriate approval to commence production is sought prior to commencement 3.4 Belt speed and energy required are set to achieve desired properties |
4 Run job and monitor print quality | 4.1 Printing speed production is adjusted to maximise quality and output 4.2 Print quality is continuously evaluated and adjusted as required 4.3 Effects of ink alterations during run are monitored and appropriate action taken according to manufacturer or supplier and job specifications 4.4 Workplace documentation is completed as required 4.5 Curing and drying are constantly monitored and adjusted according to manufacturer or supplier and job specifications |
5 Carry out routine user maintenance | 5.1 Equipment is lubricated, cleaned and adjusted according to manufacturer or supplier specifications 5.2 Fault conditions are identified and reported according to enterprise procedures |
6 Stack production output | 6.1 Output is checked for thorough drying or curing before stacking 6.2 Job status and progress are checked against job specifications and any necessary action is taken |
7 Finish operation | 7.1 Excess ink, screens, squeegees and flood coaters are removed and cleaned according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements and manufacturer or supplier specifications 7.2 Waste materials are disposed of according to manufacturer or supplier specifications, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures 7.3 Equipment and surrounding areas are cleaned according to manufacturer or supplier specifications and enterprise procedures |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
demonstrate an ability to find and use information relevant to the task from a variety of information sources
safely produce TWO different three or more colour screen prints manually according to job, manufacturer, enterprise and health and safety requirements.
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:
outline criteria for selecting the correct substrate for the job
summarise ink and substrate compatibility
describe the characteristics of solvents and ink additives and the best method to determine their compatibility
outline the method that is used for checking the screen, ink, substrate and selection of squeegee prior to printing
describe the routine maintenance that is required on the printing base
explain lay edge on the equipment
describe the correct position, register and process of locking the screen in position
explain off contact distance
describe the selection of a drying or curing system
describe the process for calculating the ideal belt speed for a print run
list the health and safety concerns when producing a manual print
explain the need to condition some substrates
outline the procedure for checking the correct viscosity of ink during the print run and ways of rectifying any problems
outline the evaluation process and maintenance of print quality during the run
describe the procedure for checking and stacking production output
describe the correct method of cleaning squeegees, equipment and the surrounding area
identify required manuals, safety and other documentation and briefly outline the relevant information in each source
describe other sources of available information that are relevant to the job.
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 screen printing field of work and include use of cleaning chemicals and manual printing machines.
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, 2.3, 4.3-4.5, 5.1, 6.2, 7.1-7.3 | Establishes job requirements from relevant information Identifies correct processes from procedural documentation |
Writing | 1.1, 4.4, 5.2 | Records information relating to outcomes of job requirements Records information relating to machinery problems |
Oral Communication | 1.1, 3.3 | Checks the progress and quality of the job with supervisor |
Numeracy | 2.1, 3.4, 4.5 | Uses simple mathematical calculations to determine and adjust resources and equipment |
Navigate the world of work | 5.2, 7.1-7.3 | Complies with organisational, legal and regulatory requirements related to own work with specific reference to safety |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1-4.3, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 | Understands the purposes, specific functions and key features of common digital systems and tools, and operates them effectively to complete routine tasks Takes responsibility for planning and organising own workload, identifying ways of sequencing and combining elements for efficiency Automatically implements standard procedures for routine decisions Recognises and takes responsibility for addressing predictable problems in familiar work contexts |
Sectors
Screen printing