PRODPP128 – Produce approved proofs from digital artwork

Overview

This standard is about producing, assessing and correcting hard-copy proofs produced from digital artwork that meet the criteria for a 'contract-quality' proof.

A contract-quality proof is a proof that is of a high enough standard, particularly as regards colour reproduction that it is capable of forming the basis of the contract between printer and customer for the subsequent printing process.

Even the most elementary device can now be used for outputting colour prints; however this standard requires that high quality proofs are produced that are evaluated for colour accuracy by means of measurement with suitable quality control equipment.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

Produce digital proofs for print

  1. confirm which kind of proofs are required in accordance with organisational procedures
  2. locate and retrieve files required for proofs, using organisational procedures
  3. check files are in the appropriate format for proofing, converting any that are not in accordance with organisational procedures
  4. include a suitable colour control strip for checking colour accuracy on proofs
  5. check the proofing device is calibrated, in serviceable condition and has the right paper and sufficient consumables loaded
  6. report any faults with proofing device that it is not your job to correct in accordance with organisational procedures
  7. check colour profiles are selected for proofs, including any profiles required related to proofing paper, printing machine or standard 'dot gain' curves
  8. produce proofs at the required size and resolution
  9. keep records of completed work and any problems which have occurred in accordance with organisational procedures

Assess proofs against specifications

  1. inspect proofs to identify any physical defects including colour irregularities, font or typographical problems, image resolution, trapping and knockout of colours or size and orientation of pages or images
  2. confirm, by measuring the colour control strip, that proofs are colour accurate and meet the standards used by your company and any relevant national or international standard
  3. repeat proofing operations until proofs are of a standard that can be submitted to customers for consideration
  4. label proofs with an identification reference and record details for quality assurance and administrative purposes as required by your company

Modify digital artwork to meet specifications

  1. identify amendments required to proofs in accordance with organisational procedures
  2. amend, or arrange for others to amend, artwork to meet customer's requirements
  3. complete amendments within agreed deadlines
  4. re-proof jobs, as required, until a final proof is approved by the customer or as set out in your company's procedures
  5. reference and archive approved digital files and any intermediate files, in accordance with your company's procedures
  6. label approved proofs and make sure that any other unapproved proofs are archived or dealt with in accordance with your company's procedures

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand

  1. the law as it affects printing copyright and ownership of images, obscenity, forgery
  2. ethical issues relevant to printing: confidentiality
  3. the hazards and risks in your own job, their assessment and the action to take to deal with them
  4. manufacturers' and suppliers' health and safety requirements relevant to your job
  5. how to safely handle customer material
  6. computer system security and virus protection
  7. the secure methods of archiving digital and conventional artwork
  8. how to communicate with colleagues and customers
  9. workplace objectives, priorities, standards and procedures
  10. the set-up of proofing equipment and software
  11. the operation of proofing equipment and software
  12. colour theory including additive and subtractive systems such as RGB and CMYK colour gamuts
  13. the relationship between image size, file size and resolution
  14. the differences between file formats for digital images and the reasons for using them
  15. colour management and how to set up, maintain and use image profiles
  16. file conversion techniques
  17. file compression and decompression systems
  18. file management procedures
  19. the causes and treatment of common faults in proofing
  20. recording and reporting procedures
  21. product labelling
  22. the law of contract
  23. the main features of quality assurance and quality control systems
  24. techniques for controlling quality
  25. equipment for controlling quality in printing
  26. light standards for viewing and assessing colour print
  27. the types and characteristics of paper, board and other commonly used substrates
  28. the types and characteristics of inks, toners and coatings
  29. maintaining the quality of materials during storage and handling
  30. the principal types of proof and their role in the printing process including high resolution colour accurate proofs, low resolution proofs, soft proofs and wet proofs

Scope/range

Although there are many kinds of proofs produced at various stages of production for different purposes, it must be clearly understood that this standard is about the production of high quality contract-quality proofs that can be, and routinely are, certified by measurement as meeting a defined quality standard.

In the absence of such equipment being used in the workplace by the operator, it will not be possible to be competent in this standard.

Keywords: digital, print, pre-press, pre press, images, proofs, artwork