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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

demonstrate appropriate organisation skills to coordinate pre-press, print run, finishing and delivery production workflows

produce and access complex electronic data

conduct a digital proof run

perform digital colour management

adjust settings and ensure productivity

perform preventive maintenance on digital printer

demonstrate use of computerised control and monitoring systems if available and appropriate

perform preventive maintenance tasks on a digital printer according to manufacturer’s specifications

prepare a written document outlining production workflow and giving reasons for production methods selected for a print job using the following job specifications within a specified production environment for:

4-colour advertising brochure

quantity: 2000

substrate: 120gsm coated

text: supplied electronically

images: continuous tone photographs supplied

logos and line art: supplied electronically

layout: hand drawn thumbnails supplied

finished size: A3 bleed

finishing: guillotined, folded and saddle

packaging: boxed

demonstrate turnaround time: 100 in 48 hours and remainder in 14 days

produce a digital colour proof of a supplied electronic file

use a digital colour management system to perform colour matching to a supplied proof.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

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Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

Troubleshooting and problem-solving

identify problem-solving strategies to use if a key piece of equipment in the production workflow is temporarily unavailable

describe actions required if the substrate type required is unavailable

discuss workarounds to use if a data file error is received while accessing a PDF file

outline what to do if a busy production schedule with tight deadlines and a power failure coincides and appears to be for an indefinite period of time

Analyse and recommend printing solutions

explain factors that influence a decision on using a particular printing solution (run length, substrate type, application)

explain cost differences between a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (eg digital vs lithographic)

describe quality differences between a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (e.g. digital vs lithographic)

explain the difference in turnaround time between a specified job printed on a digital system and a specified traditional system (e.g. digital vs lithographic)

discuss the most appropriate print method for the specified print job

Communication and client interaction

outline main differences between digital printing and traditional printing methods

discuss recommendations to make to a client who has created an electronic file in an incompatible software application

discuss suggestions to make to a client who requires a high-volume print run but needs a portion of the print job immediately

list steps to follow for client approval of a proof

Job requirements and processing systems

name actions required if vital information is missing from the job ticket (manual or electronic)

outline checks needed prior to set-up (availability of material, maintenance)

discuss what action to take if a file does not transfer correctly

describe main points to be checked before submitting file to print

Data access and manipulation

list checks to ensure data is in a format that can be used in digital print

outline suggestions to make to a client who has an incompatible version of software

list ways to submit a PDF file to the digital printer

explain OCR scanning

discuss how scan resolution affects document size and quality

describe what action is required if a scanned image is too dark

outline the sort of scanner hardware and software configuration that can be used to digitally scan a hardcopy multi-page document with text and images

Digital colour management

outline the difference between colours displayed on a computer monitor and printed colour

describe how machine calibration affects colour consistency

explain how to use printed colour charts to perform colour matching to a proof

explain what the acronym ICC stands for, and its significance

describe how a simulation profile affects colour output

Proofing and adjustment

explain circumstances in which a job can be modified before printing

discuss why margins should be changed when the job reaches the printer

outline steps to get client approval of the print

identify what the proof is checked against

describe the type of proofing system available in the traditional pre-press

explain recommendations that can be made regarding an appropriate proofing system for a specified print job

Document finishing and client delivery

discuss various types of binding

list procedures to be followed if the binding method required by the client is not available at own site

describe why packaging finished print work is important.

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