Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Requirements may relate to:
file formats:
images
text
file size
image resolution.
End use of text and images may be for:
annual reports
book covers
corporate presentations
corporate stationery
electronic distribution, including as attachments:
to electronic communications
for download from websites
invitations
posters.
Pre-press includes:
pre-press section of a printing company
pre-press trade houses or bureaus.
Relevant peoplemay include:
client
designer
graphic artist
manager
online production personnel
other specialist creative and administrative staff
supervisor.
Publication processes may include:
any hard copy printing process
electronic platforms:
CD
DVD
games console
internet
kiosk
mobile phone
other video playback devices
personal digital assistant (PDA)
video players (iPods).
Software may include:
computer-aided design and drafting (CADD)
digital imaging:
Adobe Photoshop
Corel Paint Shop Pro
layout and page description applications
word processing applications.
Format may relate to:
colour:
CMYK
RGB
image files:
GIF
JPEG
PICT
PNG
PSD
TIFF
text files:
PDF
file outputs from word processing applications.
Resolution may be:
high
low, e.g. for position only (FPO)
medium.
Manipulation may relate to:
appending text/type for files and captions
brushing
creating artistic effects
cropping
eliminating red eye
emulating photographic effects
image enhancement, including:
tones
contrast
colour
cast or tint
saturation
masking layers
retouching
sharpening.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
prepare text and graphic files that meet required output specifications for at least two hard copy and two soft copy jobs
apply knowledge of current pre-press techniques and technologies.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
industry-standard page layout and digital imaging software.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate undertaking pre-press processing work
evaluation of files prepared by the candidate
discussion and questioning about candidate’s intentions and the work outcome
review of portfolios of evidence
review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBITU309A Produce desktop published documents
CUFDIG303A Produce and prepare photo images
CUVGRD302A Use typography techniques.