Lesson Plan
Course Title:
Printing & Imaging Technology
Session Title:
General Tasks of the Offset Press
Operator
* This is Lesson #5 if used as part of the overall unit on Printing & Imaging Technology.
However, this lesson may be taught as a stand-alone project if desired.
Lesson Duration:
Approximately one to two 90-minute class periods
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to
describe the basic job functions of the offset press operator.
Specific Objectives:
1. Identify major responsibilities associated with running an offset lithographic press.
2. Research topics related to the running and offset lithographic press.
3. Compile research findings into a presentation.
4. Present research compilations to class.
5. Evaluate presentations.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
§130.96
(1) The student applies academic knowledge and skills in printing and imaging projects. The
student is expected to:
(A) apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content,
technical concepts, and vocabulary; using correct grammar, punctuation, and
terminology to write and edit documents; and composing and editing copy for a
variety of written documents such as brochures, programs, and newsletters;
(2) The student applies professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:
(A) adapt language for audience, purpose, situation, and intent such as structure and
style;
(B) organize oral and written information;
(C) interpret and communicate information, data, and observations;
(D) give formal and informal presentations;
(E) apply active listening skills; and
(F) listen to and speak with diverse individuals.
(4) The student applies information technology applications. The student is expected to use
personal information management, email, Internet, writing and publishing, presentation,
and spreadsheet or database applications for printing and imaging projects.
(5) The student understands printing systems. The student is expected to analyze and
summarize the history and evolution of the printing and imaging field.
(11) The student develops a technical understanding of printing and imaging. The student is
expected to:
(D) acquire information in a variety of formats;
(E) evaluate information for accuracy, validity, and usability;
(F) apply desktop publishing to create products by:
(v) editing products;
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Offset Press Operator
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
(J)
(K)
deliver products in a variety of media; and
evaluate products.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Prust, Z. A. (2009). Graphic communications: The printed image (5th edition). GoodheartWillcox Co., Inc. ISBN-10: 1605250619; ISBN-13: 978-1605250618.
Author’s expertise
Instructional Aids:
Offset Press Operator slide presentation
Offset Press Operator Rubric
My Coworker Rubric
Materials Needed:
Paper
Pencil
Equipment Needed:
Computer and projection system with appropriate software to display slide presentation
Learner
None
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
SAY: Many of you may have visited a print shop to watch the operation of the
presses.
ASK: Let me ask someone who has visited a shop if you know approximately what
size the shop was? Was it a large industrial press or a smaller shop?
ASK: Do you remember what size and type of offset presses that they had?
SAY: Technology has made some tremendous changes in how things run in even
the smallest of shops, so we are going to look more carefully at some of the
skills that have been required to work in a shop running an offset press.
Every shop has different machines and different requirements of the
employees who work there, but the skills that we will look at in the
presentation are some of the traditional roles that have been filled by the
offset press operator.
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I. Identify major responsibilities associated with
running an offset lithographic press.
A. Keeping the work area clean
B. Following safety protocols and watching for
potential hazards
C. Performing basic maintenance and repairs
Note: Use slide presentation
to cover main ideas.
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Offset Press Operator
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
on printing equipment
D. Watching for problems such as poor
originals, no stock, no proof signatures
E. Mixing ink and chemicals to obtain the
correct colors
F. Planning paper cutting formulas to use stock
most efficiently
G. Preparing, feeding and operating the
presses
H. Ensuring proper feed and process counts
I. Reading computerized instruments to
monitor press efficiency and quality
J. Working with prepress and bindery
departments to plan jobs efficiently
II. Research topics related to running an offset
lithographic press
A. Establish groups
B. Identify topics
1. Keeping the work area clean
2. Following safety protocol
3. Performing basic maintenance & repairs
4. Watching for problems during the print
process
5. Mixing inks and chemicals
6. Planning paper cutting formulas for
efficient use of paper stock
7. Ensuring proper feed and process counts
8. Reading computerized equipment to
ensure quality
9. Working with prepress and bindery
III. Compile research findings into a presentation
A. Identify individual roles and responsibilities
within each group
1. Visuals
2. Typist
3. Presenter
B. Organize research
IV. Present research compilation to class
A. Be prepared
B. Speak clearly
C. Show complete understanding of content
D. Use graphics to support content (site source)
E. Five to eight minute presentation
F. Use appropriate vocabulary
G. Stay on topic
V. Evaluate projects
A. Peer evaluations
1. Contribution
2. Positive attitude
During independent practice,
students will be divided into
small groups (two to three
students per group) and
choose or receive an
assigned topic to research
and create a presentation.
During independent practice,
students will be assigned
individual roles; one person is
the presenter, one is the
visuals provider, and another
is the typist. All will work as a
team to research together.
Presentation to the class is
done verbally with supporting
visuals.
Each student will complete a
peer evaluation rubric for the
other group members. The
teacher will evaluate the
rubrics to assure student
participation and appropriate
communication. Students will
also use the project rubric to
evaluate presentations and
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Offset Press Operator
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
3. Responsibility
B. Presentation evaluations
provide constructive feedback
facilitated by teacher after
each presentation.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Teacher leads classroom discussion of the jobs inside offset press.
Teacher maintains direct supervision of lab providing guidance when needed.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students will participate in classroom discussion.
The students will be divided into groups for the activity.
The students will decide their job within the group (presenter, typist, visuals – if there
are only two students in the group, there will be a split of the typing job necessary).
The teacher will assign one of the following topics to each group:
▪ Keeping the work area clean
▪ Following safety protocol
▪ Performing basic maintenance and repairs
▪ Watching for problems during the print process
▪ Mixing inks and chemicals
▪ Planning paper cutting formulas for efficient use of paper stock
▪ Ensuring proper feed and process counts
▪ Reading computerized equipment to ensure quality
▪ Working with prepress and bindery
All students will conduct their research on the Internet, by surveying the local
business community, or whatever other creative method they can devise! All sources
must be revealed during the presentation.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Checking for understanding: (Q & A Session) after the presentations
▪ Can you name a solvent that is used for cleaning an offset press?
▪ What are some of the safety protocols for operating an offset press?
▪ What are a few of the maintenance issues on a small offset press?
▪ What is going to happen if the original is flawed on a press run?
▪ Explain how to mix ink for a press run.
▪ Explain what goes into planning paper stock for a print job.
▪ Name some general steps in the operation of a small offset press.
▪ How do you minimize paper jam?
▪ What is the importance of working with the prepress and the bindery departments
on a press run?
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Offset Press Operator
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
The teacher will monitor student progress during independent practice and provide
independent assistance when needed.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Evaluate activity with the Peer Evaluation Rubric and the Presentation Rubric.
Each student will complete a peer evaluation rubric for the other group members.
The teacher will evaluate the rubrics to assure student participation and appropriate
communication. Students will also use the project rubric to evaluate presentations
and provide constructive feedback facilitated by the teacher after each presentation.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students that have mastered the skills should find a local print shop that would be
willing to host a field trip or student visit (individual or small group). Students should
visit the print shop and conduct action research to compare their findings with the
equipment/environment in the shop.
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Offset Press Operator
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
5
OFFSET PRESS OPERATOR PRESENTATION RUBRIC
Criteria
Speaks Clearly
(20 points)
Preparedness
(20 points)
Content
(20 points)
Graphics
(10 points)
Time Limit
(10 points)
Vocabulary
(10 points)
Stays on Topic
(10 points)
Comments:
Exceptional
Above Average
Below Average
Unacceptable
17-20 points
8-16 points
1 point
Speaks clearly
and distinctly all
(100‐95%) the
time, and
mispronounces
no words.
Speaks clearly
and distinctly all
(100‐95%) the
time, but
mispronounces
one word.
Often mumbles
or cannot be
understood OR
mispronounces
more than one
word.
17-20 points
8-16 points
2-7 points
Speaks clearly
and distinctly
most (94‐85%)
of the time.
Mispronounces
no more than
one word.
2-7 points
Group is
completely
prepared and
has obviously
rehearsed.
Group seems
pretty prepared
but might have
needed a couple
more rehearsals.
Group is
somewhat
prepared, but it
is clear that
rehearsal was
lacking.
Group does not
seem at all
prepared to
present.
17-20 points
8-16 points
2-7 points
1 point
Shows a full
understanding
of the topic.
Shows a good
understanding of
the topic.
Shows a good
understanding of
parts of the
topic.
Does not seem to
understanding
the topic very
well.
9-10 points
5-8 points
2-4 points
1 point
At least one
graphic is
utilized and
properly cited.
At least one
graphic is utilized
but it is not
properly cited.
9-10 points
5-8 points
2-4 points
1 poin
Presentation is
5 to 8 minutes
long.
Presentation is 3
minutes or less
over time limit.
Presentation is 5
minutes or less
over time limit.
9-10 points
Extends
audience
vocabulary by
defining new
words.
9-10 points
5-8 points
2-4 points
Presentation is
more than 5
minutes over the
time limit.
1 point
Uses vocabulary
appropriate for
the audience.
Does not include
any vocabulary
that might be
new.
Uses words or
phrases that are
not understood
by the audience.
5-8 points
2-4 points
1 point
Stays on topic
most (99-90%) of
the time.
Stays on topic
some (89-75%)
of the time.
It was hard to tell
what the topic
was.
Stays on topic
all (100%) of the
time.
1 point
No graphics were
used or cited.
TOTAL
POINTS:
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Offset Press Operator
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
6
Points
MY COWORKER RUBRIC
Person to be evaluated:
_____________________________________
Tasks to be graded:
Research, attitude and job performance
Performance level:
Circle one: Outstanding, Proficient, Continued Improvement
Criteria
Students are required to share
their personal insight and to
make a significant contribution
to the group research.
Students are asked to have a
positive attitude and to be
positive and kind to others
throughout the duration of the
project.
Students are asked to complete
all project assignments to the
best of their capabilities.
Category:
Outstanding
Proficient
Continued
Improvement
3 points
3 points
2 points
I learned some
new information
as a result of my
classmate's
research.
2 points
1 point
My classmate did
not have enough
valuable
information to
share.
1 point
This person had
a great attitude
(100%) of the
time.
With one or two
exceptions, it
was fun to work
with this person.
It was difficult to
work with this
person.
3 points
2 points
1 point
This person
contributed so
much it's hard to
imagine how
he/she could do
more.
This person’s
contribution was
acceptable.
This person did
not contribute
sufficiently to the
group.
I learned a lot
from this person.
TOTAL
POINTS:
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Offset Press Operator
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
7
Points