Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work in or deal with the converting and finishing sector of the printing industry; that is, a working knowledge of related areas and a detailed knowledge of specific converting and finishing areas. It facilitates technical communication and the ability to work as a team member.

Application of the unit 

This unit covers preparation of a person working in or dealing with the converting and finishing area of the printing industry.

Workers with the ICP30705 Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Arts (Print Finishing) are likely to acquire most of this knowledge in the technical units.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

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 the 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, OHS, environmental protection, access and equity and industrial awards are understood in relation to the workplace

2.2. The basic principles and obligations involved in copyright, OHS, environmental protection, access and equity and industrial awards are followed in personal work practices

3. Apply detailed knowledge of pre-press processes

3.1. The basic principles behind the following pre-press functions: image production (typesetting, scanning, graphic arts camera), image combining (manual and electronic), image output (film, plates, direct to press) and digital workflow are understood and used in the production process where applicable

3.2. Different types of images (line, half-tone), digital and their use are understood and used as required

3.3. Different output settings eg screen rulings and angles, shapes, and describe how they affect final printed product are understood and used as required

3.4. The different types of output required for different media and printing processes are understood and used in the production process where applicable

3.5. Different output devices eg film setters, plate setters, analogue proofs, digital proofs are understood and built into the production process where applicable

4. Apply knowledge of printing processes

4.1. Basic principles of the following printing processes: lithography, relief, flexography, gravure, pad printing, screen printing, digital/electronic printing are understood and are used to inform production processes

4.2. The types of jobs and products for which each process is appropriate are understood and are used to inform production decisions

4.3. The capabilities and limitations of each process are understood and are used to inform production decisions

5. Apply knowledge of converting and finishing processes

5.1. Basic characteristics of the following converting and finishing processes: guillotining, flat-bed and rotary cutting, collating, folding, adhesive, mechanical and thermal fastening are understood and are used to inform production processes

5.2. The types of jobs and products for which each process is appropriate are understood and are used to inform production processes

6. Apply detailed knowledge of substrates

6.1. The relationship of different substrate sizes is understood and is used to inform production processes

6.2. Different weights, callipers, bulk, density and opacity of substrates and how they affect pre-press, printing and finishing operations and end uses are understood and are used to inform production processes

6.3. Paper grain and how it affects pre-press, printing and finishing operations are understood and are used to inform production processes

6.4. Moisture content, porosity and ink absorbency and how they affect pre-press, printing and finishing operations are understood and are used to inform production processes

6.5. Gloss, smoothness and surface strength and how they affect pre-press, printing and finishing operations are understood and are used to inform production processes

6.6. Permanence, durability and acidity and alkalinity of paper and how they affect pre-press, printing and finishing operations and end uses are understood and are used to inform production processes

6.7. Bursting strength, folding endurance, tensile strength and tearing resistance and how they affect printing and finishing operations and end uses are understood and are used to inform production processes

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

7.1. Use and positioning of trimming and folding marks and how these are affected by different substrates are understood and are used to inform production processes

7.2. Quality checking procedures and problems that should be reported to printer or pre-press and those that are the responsibility of converter or finisher are understood and are used to inform production processes

7.3. Use and positioning of trimming and folding marks and how these are affected by different substrates are understood and are used to inform production processes

7.4. Criteria for producing folding impositions are understood and are used to inform production processes

7.5. Procedures for determining appropriate packing techniques are understood and are used to inform production processes

8. Apply basic knowledge of costs of production

8.1. The main cost elements (fixed, capital and variable) in printing production are understood and used to inform converting and finishing decisions

8.2. The information required to accurately cost jobs and the means of collecting it (manual and computerised) are applied to work practices

8.3. Ways of minimising use of materials without affecting the quality of output are understood and used to inform converting and finishing processes

8.4. Ways of maximising efficiency of capital and human resources are understood and used to inform converting and finishing processes

9. Apply basic knowledge of production management requirements and systems

9.1. The types of information that need to be exchanged between different stages of production to facilitate production efficiency are understood and used to inform personal work practices

9.2. Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are understood and used in the workplace

9.3. The basic principles of efficient production management are understood and used to inform personal work practices

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• OHS in relation to operating machinery such as safely switching off machinery before cleaning is started
• communication of ideas and information by accurately using correct printing industry terminology and vocabulary
• collecting, analysing and organising information by using colour theory of subtractive colours to inform pre-press and/or design decisions
• planning and organising activities by considering and implementing, where required, basic principles of efficient production management
• teamwork when implementing procedures that ensure effective colour management
• mathematical ideas and techniques by considering the information required to accurately cost jobs
• problem-solving skills by considering and implementing, where required, ways of maximising efficiency of capital and human resources during different jobs
• use of technology by applying the principles of the selected printing processes

Required knowledge 

• unit underpins all of the Certificate III level and higher converting, binding and finishing units of competency.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 following is essential:

• assessor must be satisfied that sufficient knowledge and understanding of converting and finishing and related production processes (as outlined in each Element) have been demonstrated so that job requirements and modifications can be intelligently discussed in some detail with a tradesperson, production manager or client
• successful assessment of any of the Certificate III level converting, binding and finishing units of competency
• for valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered over a period of time through a range of methods for assessment to indicate consistent performance
• 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.

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 exampleunits packaged in a Certificate III or higher qualification.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Level of knowledge  may include:

• knowledge required to intelligently discuss job procedures, requirements and modifications with a tradesperson, production manager or client

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Holistic Knowledge

Co-requisite units