Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to set up for and produce specialised digitally printed products. This unit incorporates the use of non-standard substrates and raster image processor (RIP) settings.

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

Application of the unit 

This unit requires the individual to evaluate job specifications, setup RIP and produce specialised print jobs. The individual will conduct a proof run and adjust settings to ensure production speeds are attained in minimum time with minimum wastage.

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. Confirm specialised job specifications

1.1. Job requirements are read and interpreted from job documentation or production control system

1.2. Availability of all job related components is checked and recorded

2. Plan and carry out specialised set-up

2.1. Specialised  job specifications are identified and analysed

2.2. Specialised set-up requirements are determined

2.3. Specialised set-up is completed in minimum time and with minimum wastage

3. Set up RIP for specialised digital printing

3.1. RIP  functions are analysed to determine appropriate settings according to specialised job requirements

3.2. Experimentation is undertaken with RIP functions to determine settings according to specialised job requirements

3.3. Problems are solved effectively to minimise waste and excess costs

3.4. Documentation and other forms of information are accessed to determine source of any problems

3.5. Most productive way to complete the job is determined

4. Test and select substrate

4.1. Substrate  specifications are investigated to determine print feasibility

4.2. Test print run is conducted to confirm substrates appropriateness with job requirements

4.3. Appropriate substrate is selected based on print feasibility and job requirements

5. Conduct specialised proof run

5.1. Material to be used for specialised proof is organised correctly

5.2. Machine is operated according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise procedures to produce a specialised proof

5.3. Specialised proof is visually inspected to enterprise procedures

5.4. Client approval or authority is sought prior to production run where appropriate

5.5. Results are interpreted and adjustments are carried out according to product and machine specification

6. Refine and document specialised print process

6.1. Corrective or preventive action is recommended and implemented where appropriate

6.2. Changes are communicated to relevant personnel in a logical and easily understood manner

6.3. Changes are monitored to confirm improvement to production efficiency

6.4. Ongoing problems are reported according to enterprise procedures and process is documented according to enterprise standards

6.5. Documentation is filed so it can be easily retrieved and used as a reference for future similar jobs

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• occupational health and safety (OHS) skills for operating machinery, such as safely switching off machinery before cleaning is started
• communication skills for interpreting the job brief and providing advice to internal or external clients about options and limitations
• collecting, analysing and organising skills for collecting and analysing data about printing process, machine specifications and performance to calculate appropriate adjustments for the job
• planning and organising skills for providing information about time and materials requirements for production scheduling
• teamwork skills for cooperating with other workers and coordinating the production unit to ensure efficient operation
• numeracy skills for calculating substrate requirements and RIP functions
• problem-solving skills for recognising sub-standard print quality and making adjustments to meet job specifications
• technical skills for using RIP or front-end processor to complete job
• documenting solutions and report writing

Required knowledge 

• job specifications
• production problems
• with whom to discuss any production problems
• all the functions and settings available on a particular RIP or front-end processor
• advanced RIP settings, such as using dynamic variables to select stock
• where to source information regarding complex RIP usage
• the types of substrates that are suitable for various digital processes
• the theory behind several digital processes and how this has an impact on substrate usage
• problem-solving methodologies, including Empirical, Ishikawa and brainstorming
• online forums and networks
• OHS issues in relation to each digital process
• where documentation or other information can be found regarding specialised digital processes

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 ability to:

• analyse and problem -solve issues relating to printing a non -standard product 
• use complex RIP or front -end processor settings 
• set up a RIP and digital printing machine for a specialised job on two occasions according to manufacturer's and job specifications and enterprise procedure.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• that conditions are typical ambient conditions found in the workplace
• access to relevant facilities, equipment and materials used for digital printing, such as full-colour production digital presses or specialised wide format printers
• use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

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
• third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
• practical demonstration by the candidate whensetting up and producing a specialised digitally printed product.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other digital production units relevant to the workplace and job role is recommended.

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.

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.

Specialised  may include:

• the set-up and production of print runs that involve new products
• a new mix of substrates that requires a certain amount of problem solving and experimentation with the substrate and RIP settings
• the set-up of equipment and production
• development of new set-up and production approaches
• solving technical problems arising from new product
• equipment combinations.

RIP  may include:

• computerised monitoring and data entry device used to enter:

• machine settings
• job specification settings
• monitor machine status.

Substrate  may include:

• range of substrates within the major categories of:

• paper
• pressure sensitive material
• board
• plastics
• related films
• metal.

Unit sector 

Printing and graphic arts

Competency field 

Printing

Co-requisite units