Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare film for screen printing ready for screen manufacture.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to individuals who generally work under direction, interpret image specifications and operate equipment to produce film separations according to job specifications ready for screen manufacture.

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. Identify job requirements

1.1. Image specifications  are checked according to job specifications and enterprise procedures

1.2. Orientation is checked for conformance to job specifications and adjusted if required

1.3. Resolution/dpi is determined for template creation

2. Prepare and operate equipment

2.1. Scanner /computer is selected, turned on and scanner glass cleaned

2.2. Scanner software is selected/opened and correct settings made according to job requirements

2.3. Previews are made, image is selected, finished scan completed and image adjusted as required

2.4. Image format is determined and saved to a storage device

3. Select Imaging software

3.1. Software is selected, scan is opened and separations are produced on individual layers according to job specifications

3.2. Colours are excluded as required on separation layers

3.3. Stroke is applied for bleed according to printing equipment

3.4. Separation layers are coloured for specific raster image processor (RIP) software

3.5. Image format is determined according to RIP software requirements

3.6. Supplied finished artwork/separation is checked for output capability

4. Select and operate an appropriate output device producing film separations to an industry standard and ready for screen manufacture

4.1. Imagesetter/dye printer is selected, turned on and checked, and heads cleaned prior to outputting images

4.2. RIP software is selected and opened, and software settings checked and set according to output specifications

4.3. Nesting is checked to ensure non-wastage of film

4.4. Image is output and evaluated to ensure it conforms to job specifications and measuring, including checking with a reflection densitometer valve

4.5. Film is handled according to manufacturer's specifications

4.6. Output device is closed down according to manufacturer's recommendations

5. Access the requirements of particular production exercise in order to meet the process and job specification

5.1. Requirements of the printing process and job specification are assessed

5.2. The quality of job elements , including resolution/dpi is specified according to client requirements

5.3. Films, dye cartridges, their qualities and process requirements are determined

5.4. Stock levels are checked and maintained according to job specifications

5.5. Copy is checked and assessed according to job specifications

6. Prepare and operate equipment able to produce film separations

6.1. Scanner/computer is selected and artwork/copy is placed squarely in the scanner

6.2. Scanner software is selected/opened and correct settings are made according to job requirements

6.3. Previews are made, images selected, finished scan completed and image adjusted as required

6.4. Image format is determined and saved to a storage device

7. Select and use appropriate imaging software

7.1. Software is selected, scan opened and, using layers and software tools as required, separations are provided on individual layers according to job specifications

7.2. Colours are excluded as required on separation layers

7.3. Separate layers are coloured for specific RIP software requirements

7.4. Image/layers or separations are manually nested, if required, in accordance with film output device size

7.5. Image format is determined according to RIP software requirements and saved to storage device

7.6. Supplied finished artwork/separations is checked for output suitability

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 expressing ideas and informationand interpreting the brief and job specifications
• planning, collecting, analysing and organising skills for drawing correct design area to include elements according to job specifications
• numeracy skills for calculating the required magnification before operating the equipment
• teamwork skills for maintaining the production process in association with others
• problem-solving skills for implementing required quality controls to ensure job specifications are met
• technical skills for using the equipment necessary to prepare film for screen printing

Required knowledge 

• job requirements:

• image specifications
• orientation
• resolutions/dpi
• substrate and use of product
• finished size and image location
• location of printer marks, registration crosses and colour identification
• image detail, screen ruling related to substrate
• ink type and equipment available

• preparation and operation of equipment:

• scanner settings
• image brightness/contrast
• file format
• type of software
• image/scan and quality adjustment

• output device:

• checks and maintenance to be performed on an imagesetter/dye printer
• RIP software settings to be checked prior to ripping
• output film
• measuring the halftone value on the film separation
• techniques for handling film before and after separations
• imagesetter/dye printer ability to provide quality separations
• RIP software settings
• image format
• output suitability of artwork
• output device
• nesting of film separations
• techniques for handling film according to manufacturer's specifications

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:

• produce films according to job specification and client standards
• prepare film for two different jobs involving a variety of image effects, according to manufacturer's and job specifications and enterprise procedures.

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 required to prepare film for screen printing
• use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment method is appropriate for this unit:

• portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
• practical demonstration by the candidate in preparing film for screen printing ready for production
• direct questioning of underpinning knowledge required to prepare for screen printing and OHS issues.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector. Evidence for assessment may be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone or through an integrated assessment activity.

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.

Image specifications  may include:

• screen rulings
• dot percentages
• image thickness/film assessment.

Scanner  may include:

• flat-bed
• drum scanners with medium to high-end full colour capabilities.

Elements  may include:

• text
• headings
• rules
• components and shapes.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Screen printing

Co-requisite units