Elements and Performance Criteria
- Troubleshoot and correct production workflows for digital printing
- Productivity analysis on a digital production system is undertaken to determine the most productive approach according to job specifications
- Workflow procedures for digital printing are developed according to equipment availability and production environment, for a range of job specifications
- Possible causes of problems in workflow procedures are identified and rectified, and strategies to improve productivity with minimum resource waste and according to job specifications are developed
- Preventive maintenance on a digital printing system is undertaken according to manufacturer’s specifications to ensure maximum productivity, and minimum downtime and wastage
- Liaise with clients
- Print services, quality expectations and print costing for digital printing are communicated to client according to enterprise procedures
- Productivity advantages and disadvantages of different digital print options are communicated according to manufacturer’s specifications and enterprise procedures
- Turnaround times are calculated and communicated to client according to enterprise procedures
- Confirm job specifications
- Print job specifications are correctly interpreted from job documentation or production control system
- Availability of all job components are checked according to enterprise procedures
- Scanning, proofing and finishing requirements of each job are checked and internal workflow and/or outsource arrangements are coordinated
- Run time of job is determined and completion time correctly estimated
- Access, verify and submit electronic data files to a digital printer
- Workstation computer and industry software are used to locate and retrieve electronic data files according to job specifications
- Preview or pre-flight check is performed on electronic data files to verify correct job set-up according to job specifications
- Job priority is determined according to job specifications and production schedules
- Data file is submitted to print and image quality and machine productivity checks are performed and adjustments made to correct any problems
- Perform complex digital colour management
- Appropriate digital colour management solutions are used to minimise variation in colour selection, lighting conditions and surrounding colour, machine calibration, screen angle, machine resolution, conversion algorithms from red, green, blue (RGB) to cyan, magenta, yellow and key black (CMYK), substrate type and condition
- Printed RGB, CMYK and PMS colour charts are used to perform colour matching with client proof
- Accurate recommendations on colours to use when producing electronic data files are made according to job specifications
- Colour matching of an electronic data file created using RGB colour model is performed by using machine calibration procedures and customising an output profile
- Perform and/or coordinate document proofing
- Digital proof run is conducted for client approval and to confirm proof meets job specifications
- Internal or external pre-press proofing systems operators are consulted to conduct the proof run and provide job specifications according to enterprise procedures
- Communication between client and proofing provider occurs to ensure proof conforms to job specifications
- Run digital print job and/or coordinate press print run
- Production schedules, enterprise procedures and job specifications are observed and liaison with internal and/or external production operators is maintained to determine print run start and duration time
- Digital print run is conducted according to job specifications ensuring machine productivity and quality are monitored and adjusted throughout the print job
- Perform and/or coordinate document finishing and client delivery
- Finishing method is determined according to job specifications
- Steps required for document finishing are identified and if necessary performed on in-line finishing units on a web or a sheet-fed system according to enterprise procedures
- Packaging and presentation of finished print work is completed with co-workers and/or external source, if necessary, to avoid damage and conform to delivery requirements according to job specifications