ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

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 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, work health and safety (WHS), environmental protection, access and equity, and industrial awards are applied

3. Apply detailed knowledge of pre-press processes

3.1 Principles behind pre-press functions such as image production (typesetting, scanning, graphic arts camera), image combining (manual and electronic), image output (film, plates, direct to press) and digital workflow are applied where possible in workplace

3.2 Understanding of different types of images (line, half-tone, digital) is used in development of general strategies for printing

3.3 Understanding of different output settings (screen rulings, angles, shapes) and how they affect final product is used in development of general strategies for printing

3.4 Understanding of different types of output required for different printing processes is used in development of general processes for printing

3.5 Understanding of different output devices (film setters, plate setters, analogue proofs, digital proofs) is used in development of general processes for printing

4. Apply knowledge of printing processes

4.1 Principles of printing processes (lithography, relief, flexography, gravure, pad printing, screen printing, digital and electronic printing) are applied when using selected printing processes

4.2 Types of jobs and products for each process are considered to ensure appropriate choices are made to meet client needs

4.3 Capabilities and limitations of each process are considered when using selected printing processes

5. Apply knowledge of converting and finishing processes

5.1 Types of jobs and products for each process are considered to ensure appropriate choices are made to meet client needs

6. Apply knowledge of substrates and inks

6.1 Range of substrates used for each printing process are considered when making print set up decisions

6.2 Relationship of different paper sizes is considered when making print set up decisions

6.3 Effects of different weights and callipers of substrates on printing operations are considered when making print set up decisions

6.4 Effects of paper grain on pre-press, printing and finishing operations are considered when making print set up decisions

6.5 Effects of different properties of ink (drying properties, fastness, gloss) on printing and finishing operations are considered when making print set up decisions

6.6 Suitability of inks and coatings for particular finishing processes is considered when making print set up decisions

7. Apply detailed knowledge of printing requirements for pre-press and finishing processes

7.1 Selection of appropriate designs for different printing processes is considered in development of general strategies for printing

7.2 Criteria for evaluating suitability of pre-press outputs for printing processes are used in development of general strategies for printing

7.3 Mechanisms and techniques for adjusting image registration and position are used in development of general strategies for printing

7.4 Procedures for determining colour sequence are used in development of strategies for printing

7.5 Adjustments that can be made so that product matches approved proof are understood and used in development of general strategies for printing

7.6 Criteria for determining impositions and image placements for converting, binding and finishing operations are used in development of general strategies for printing

8. Apply knowledge of colour theory

8.1 Colour theory of additive colours (light), Red, Green Blue (RGB), is used to inform printing decisions

8.2 Colour theory of subtractive colours (pigments), Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black) (CMYK), is used to inform printing decisions

8.3 Relationship between ranges of visual colour RGB and CMYK is used to inform printing decisions

8.4 Relationship between hue, greyness and substrate for tone and colour correction is used to inform printing decisions

8.5 Colour matching conditions and colour matching systems are used to inform printing decisions

9. Apply basic knowledge of costs of production

9.1 Main cost elements (fixed, capital, variable) in printing production are considered in printing decisions

9.2 Information required to accurately cost jobs and means of collecting it (manual and computerised) are applied to work practices

9.3 Ways of minimising use of materials without affecting quality of output are considered and used to inform printing processes

9.4 Ways of maximising efficiency of capital and human resources are considered and used to inform printing processes

10. Apply basic knowledge of production management requirements and systems

10.1 Types of information that need to be exchanged between different stages of production to facilitate production efficiency are used to inform personal work practices

10.2 Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are used in workplace

10.3 Basic principles of efficient production management are used to inform personal work practices

10.4 Consider and implement principles of effective quality management where required during different jobs