18614 version 3 Page 1 of 5 Research and report on print industry production processes and technology Level 5 Credits 25 Purpose People credited with this unit standard are able to: research the structure of the New Zealand print industry; research and report on the production processes, equipment, and materials used by the at least two of the main sectors of the print industry; research and report on the factors that determine the choice of print production process to meet customer requirements; the changing technology in the print industry; and evaluate and report on the production processes used to produce printed product to meet customer requirements. Subfield Printing Domain Print Industry Management Status Registered Status date 23 April 2008 Date version published 12 December 2008 Planned review date 31 December 2013 Entry information Recommended: Unit 2281, Demonstrate knowledge of the printing industry, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills. Replacement information This unit standard replaced unit standard 16770. Accreditation Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry. Standard setting body (SSB) Competenz Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference 0005 This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do. New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016 18614 version 3 Page 2 of 5 Special notes 1 For assessment against this unit standard reports are required that: outline the methodology used; record the main outcomes of the research; include analysis of findings; include a conclusion to the findings; indicate sources of information gathered; present information in a medium that is appropriate for the research project and the research results. The presentation may be written, or oral, or produced as a visual presentation with suitable explanations. 2 Definition Research is systematic investigation and study in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. This may include: using appropriate print and electronic resources such as the internet, trade journals and suppliers’ resources; and workplace visits and interviews. For the purposes of this unit standard, research requires the accurate citing of reference sources. Elements and performance criteria Element 1 Research the structure of the New Zealand print industry. Performance criteria 1.1 Print industry organisation groups are identified, and the functions and services of each are explained. Range 1.2 At least one organisation from each group identified in 1.1 is researched. Range 1.3 groups include but are not limited to – employer organisations, worker organisations, training organisations. researched information includes but is not limited to – contact person, address details, phone number, email address, website, services provided. The activities of the main sectors of the New Zealand print industry are explained. Range main sectors include – graphic pre-press, digital output, sheet-fed, reel-fed, screen, binding and finishing, fibreboard packaging. New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016 18614 version 3 Page 3 of 5 Element 2 Research and report on the production processes, equipment, and materials used by at least two of the main sectors of the print industry. Range a minimum of two visits to different production sites must be undertaken. A report is to be produced for each site visited. Evidence of two reports is required. Performance criteria 2.1 Production processes and equipment are described in accordance with current industry practice. 2.2 Flow of work from the time a job is raised to distribution is described in accordance with current industry practice. 2.3 Substrates and materials used in the selected sectors of the print industry, and their properties are identified and described in accordance with current industry practice. 2.4 Visits are undertaken to observe and research production processes, equipment and materials used within the selected workplaces. Element 3 Research and report on the factors that determine the choice of print production process to meet customer requirements. Performance criteria 3.1 Different print production processes are identified and the characteristics of each are explained. Range 3.2 Factors affecting the choice of print production process are explained. Range 3.3 factors may include but are not limited to – cost, speed of production, quality of finished product, run size; a minimum of four factors are required. Factors affecting the end use of the printed product are explained. Range 3.4 evidence is required for a minimum of three of – offset, flexographic, screen, digital, letterpress, gravure. substrate and/or material requirements, cost, quality, finishing processes, delivery requirements, quantity. A report is produced explaining the factors that determine the choice of print production process used to meet customers’ requirements. New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016 18614 version 3 Page 4 of 5 Element 4 Evaluate and report on print production processes used to produce printed product to meet customer requirements. Range a sample of at least one production job must be included. Performance criteria 4.1 A workflow procedure for the production job selected is produced to ensure customer requirements are met. Range pre-production, production, post-production. 4.2 Processes to be used for the production job selected are analysed and evaluated to ensure that customer requirements are met. 4.3 Information to be communicated, and method of communication at each stage of production, is analysed and evaluated to ensure customer requirements are met. 4.4 Alternative processes that could be used for the production job selected are identified and analysed. 4.5 A report is prepared that analyses and evaluates both the production processes used and the implications of alternative production processes. Consideration is to be given, in reporting on choice of process, to the impact on the producer, the customer, and the environment. Element 5 Research and report on changing technology in the print industry. Performance criteria 5.1 Sources of information for new developments in print industry technology are listed. Range 5.2 evidence of at least three different sources of information is required. Reasons for monitoring changes in print industry technology are explained. Range evidence of at least two reasons is required. New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016 18614 version 3 Page 5 of 5 5.3 Examples of new developments in the print industry are researched and a report produced. Range a minimum of three examples are required; examples may include but are not limited to – graphic pre-press, digital output, colour management, sheet-fed, reel-fed, screen, binding and finishing, fibreboard packaging, inks, adhesives, substrates, materials, distribution, workflow management. Please note Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment. Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards. Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards. Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements. Comments on this unit standard Please contact Competenz info@competenz.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard. New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016