PRODPP129 – Produce computer-generated image carriers
Overview
This standard is about producing image carriers for printing from digital artwork. The image carrier may be for any kind of printing process, including lithography, screen, gravure and flexography.
This is what the standard covers:
Most artwork for printing is created electronically and at some point an image carrier has to be produced. Usually the artwork also has to be imposed in order to make best use of the printing machines and substrate.
Different printing processes require different image carriers and this standard is intended to apply to most image carriers. However, the standard is not intended for extremely simple image carriers, for example small, single colour film output for cutter guides or die making where there is no element of imposition, nor is it intended for digital printing machines such as copier / printers. However printing presses fitted with digital imaging heads are suitable.
Digital artwork, once approved for print, has to be output in imposed format to an image carrier. Any colour separations and bitmap images in the artwork need to be processed correctly to achieve the required reproduction quality when printed. This involves selecting the correct output parameters, including screen ruling and dot type, resolution and screen angle. The image also needs to be correctly positioned on the image carrier.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Impose images electronically
check you have complete job details
select appropriate imposition schemes by taking into account the working size of jobs and the quantity required
select appropriate imposition schemes by taking into account printing machine sizes, the number available and the type of printing machine to be used
select appropriate imposition schemes by taking into account colour fall and method of finishing
retrieve or create imposition templates that meet the requirements of imposition schemes
operate equipment in a safe and productive way in accordance with organisational procedures
identify accurate information about data, system and software problems which will affect imposition production and correct them in accordance with organisational procedures
report data, software and system problems which are not your job to deal with in accordance with organisational procedures
create accurate job references and store digital job files in a secure way in accordance with organisational procedures
Prepare images for processing
confirm job files are compatible with the imaging software to be used
set appropriate output parameters to meet job specifications with regards to resolution, screen ruling and dot type, screen angle, orientation, position on the image carrier, register or other marks, right / wrong reading, emulsion up / down, separations settings
check the right image carrier material is loaded into the output device
check the output device are appropriately calibrated for operation
complete your work within agreed deadlines
Process data through computer-to-image carrier systems
send data to output devices in line with manufacturer's instructions
process image carrier after imaging in line with manufacturer's instructions
identify accurate information about errors and faults and correct them in accordance with organisational procedures
report errors and faults which are not your job to deal with in accordance with organisational procedures
check that outputs meets job requirements for quality and specification
store finished outputs in a secure way in accordance with organisational procedures
keep accurate records for quality assurance and administrative purposes as required by your company
archive digital files as required by your company
Knowledge and understanding
You need to know and understand
the law as it affects printing: copyright and ownership of images, obscenity, forgery
ethical issues relevant to printing: confidentiality
hazards and risks in your own job, their assessment and the action to take to deal with them
manufacturers' and suppliers' health & safety requirements relevant to your job
how to safely handle customer material
computer system security and virus protection
the secure methods of archiving digital and conventional artwork
how to communicate with colleagues and customers
workplace objectives, priorities, standards and procedures
the identification & assessment of printing options
the reasons for selecting one process over another
the set-up of digital imaging equipment and software
the operation of digital imaging equipment and software
the characteristics of sensitive material
colour theory, including additive and subtractive systems such as rgb and cmyk colour gamuts
the relationship between image size, file size and resolution
the difference in file formats for digital images and the reasons for using them
how to set up, maintain and use image profiles
file conversion techniques
file compression and decompression systems
file management procedures
the causes and treatment of common faults in digital imaging
the legal requirements for the classification, storage, carriage and disposal of waste
any specific environmental legislation that covers processes in your company control of pollution
the main features of quality assurance and quality control systems
techniques for controlling quality
equipment for controlling quality in printing
types of problems that may need to be solved
sources of information
techniques for assessing machine faults
the types & characteristics of paper, board and other commonly used substrates
the types & characteristics of inks, toners & coatings
the purpose of image carriers
the principles of imposition
appropriate output parameters including screen ruling and dot type, resolution and screen angle
how to determine the correct positioning of images on image carriers
PRODPP129 – Produce computer-generated image carriers
Overview
This standard is about producing image carriers for printing from digital artwork. The image carrier may be for any kind of printing process, including lithography, screen, gravure and flexography.
This is what the standard covers:
Most artwork for printing is created electronically and at some point an image carrier has to be produced. Usually the artwork also has to be imposed in order to make best use of the printing machines and substrate.
Different printing processes require different image carriers and this standard is intended to apply to most image carriers. However, the standard is not intended for extremely simple image carriers, for example small, single colour film output for cutter guides or die making where there is no element of imposition, nor is it intended for digital printing machines such as copier / printers. However printing presses fitted with digital imaging heads are suitable.
Digital artwork, once approved for print, has to be output in imposed format to an image carrier. Any colour separations and bitmap images in the artwork need to be processed correctly to achieve the required reproduction quality when printed. This involves selecting the correct output parameters, including screen ruling and dot type, resolution and screen angle. The image also needs to be correctly positioned on the image carrier.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Impose images electronically
Prepare images for processing
Process data through computer-to-image carrier systems
Knowledge and understanding
You need to know and understand
Keywords: digital, print, pre-press, images, carriers