Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:
Introduction to Graphic Imaging/Printing
- Demonstrate knowledge of hazard communication laws and environmental protection
- Demonstrate knowledge of safety procedures (personal, equipment)
- Explain importance of quality control procedures and consistency of production (SPC)
- Demonstrate understanding of the need for customer satisfaction
- Perform general maintenance/housekeeping tasks
- Read/interpret/write work orders or specifications
- Demonstrate ability to measure
- Identify processes and equipment in graphic arts
- Distinguish between color matching systems (flat color, process color)
- Identify basic types of substrates
- Calculate stock requirements
- Demonstrate problem-solving ability
- Demonstrate knowledge of job workflow
Electronic Imaging and Copy Preparation
- Make conversions using printer systems of measurement
- Identify principles of design
- Identify type styles and uses
- Identify proofreader’s marks
- Prepare a thumbnail sketch
- Prepare a rough layout
- Crop a photograph to dimensions
- Mark up copy
- Proofread copy
- Scale a photograph to a given area
- Prepare a dummy for multiple imposition
- Prepare a proof
- Prepare an electronic mechanical
- Demonstrate knowledge of troubleshooting electronic files
- Prepare parts of electronic file for efficient output
- Prepare electronic traps
- Identify electronic imaging components
- Match appropriate software to a given job
- Demonstrate basic computer skills
- Demonstrate proficiency in computer graphic applications to create image
- Demonstrate basic computer hardware knowledge
- Demonstrate CD handling/care/formatting
- Demonstrate understanding of basic software terminology
- Demonstrate knowledge of output devices
- Demonstrate electronic imposition
Reproduction Photography
- Scale a photograph to a given area
- Crop photographs to dimensions
- Demonstrate understanding of film and chemistry concepts
- Mix lithograph darkroom chemicals
- Determine proper exposure for line copy, halftones, contacting
- Make duplicate negatives/positives
- Make a line negative
- Make a choke and spread
- Rescreen a printed halftone
- Make line and halftone reproductions using diffusion transfer materials
- Demonstrate understanding of screening/special effects concepts
- Determine densities of original copy
- Determine proper flash exposure
- Determine proper filter use
- Prepare a composite
- Use a digital camera
- Import digital photos into electronic page
- Output color separations from digital photo files
- Demonstrate knowledge of camera integrator basics
- Demonstrate knowledge of hazard communication laws
- Interpret concepts of environmental protection
- Discuss proper disposal of chemicals
Image Assembly and Platemaking
- Demonstrate understanding of concepts of image assembly
- Prepare dummy for multiple imposition
- Demonstrate use of the pin register system
- Make a choke and spread
- Assemble a single-color job
- Assemble a multicolor job
- Assemble a step and repeat
- Assemble work and turn
- Assemble work and tumble
- Assemble line and halftone combinations
- Assemble multicolor halftones
- Assemble multiple screen tints
- Demonstrate appropriate proofing methods
- Determine screen angles
- Protect developed plate from oxidation
- Demonstrate understanding of photo-direct use
- Demonstrate use of gray scale
- Demonstrate use of “double burn”
- Demonstrate knowledge of types of offset plates
- Prepare a color key
- Store processed films and plates
- Assemble film output from electronic files
- Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot film output from electronic files
- Prepare laminated proofs
- Demonstrate ability to properly label flats
- Demonstrate knowledge of chemical disposal
Duplicator/Press Operations
- Operate a densitometer and maintain ink density levels
- Make ready and operate an offset press
- Print and maintain register
- Demonstrate understanding of press chemistry (ink track, fountain solutions, solvents, dryers)
- Mix press fountain solution
- Adjust roller pressures
- Demonstrate understanding of dampening systems
- Demonstrate understanding of procedures and equipment for adjusting press pressures
- Lubricate an offset press
- Mix inks for color match
- Prepare, install, and replace offset blanket
- Clean up and offset press
- Demonstrate auxiliary operations performed on press (perforation, scoring)
- Demonstrate understanding of stripping procedures
- Demonstrate understanding of adjusting press alignment
- Demonstrate proper handling of print stock
- Make a color match using process screens
- Prepare/strip copy for binding (grind-off)
- Demonstrate understanding of themographic and intaglio processes
- Demonstrate understanding of offset press features
- Demonstrate understanding of offset press advantages/disadvantages
- Troubleshoot printing problems (scumming, pilling, chalking, roller stripping, ghosting, glazing)
- Adjust packing to lengthen image
- Demonstrate use of masking sheets
- Demonstrate knowledge of “green” chemicals
- Operate high-speed copiers
- Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate disposal of inks, etc.
Finishing Processes/Shipping
- Set up, adjust, and operate a paper cutter
- Set up, adjust, and operate a paper folder
- Demonstrate understanding of perforating, scoring, and die cutting
- Lubricate/maintain bindery equipment
- Set up and operate a stitcher
- Set up, adjust, and operate a paper drill
- Collate and gather
- Perform padding operations
- Demonstrate understanding of book binding
- Explain the meaning of JIT and UPC
- Explain assembly of carbonless paper forms
- Explain how “perfect binding” is accomplished
- Explain how plastic binding is accomplished
- Conduct test for paper grain
- Calculate number of small sheets cut from large sheets
- Demonstrate knowledge of types of folds
- Demonstrate proper hand-folding techniques
- Demonstrate understanding of embossing
- Demonstrate properties of paper stock (RH)
- Operate a numbering machine
- Demonstrate knowledge of ink jet technology
- Demonstrate understanding of packaging methods
- Demonstrate knowledge of carrier options
- Demonstrate knowledge of postal sorting
- Understand concept of “value added” service
- Demonstrate knowledge of list management
- Demonstrate knowledge of personalization by geographic or other characteristics
Written Assessment:
Administration Time: 3 hours
Number of Questions:187
Areas Covered:
11% Introduction to Graphic Imaging/Printing
22% Electronic Imaging and Copy Preparation
11% Reproduction Photography
15% Image Assembly and Platemaking
27% Duplicator/Press Operations
14% Finishing Processes/Shipping
Sample Questions:
Which is the correct order of work flow through the shop?
- shop foreman, production, finishing
- manager, production, shipper
- salesperson, art director, production, finisher
- owner, sales, production, finisher
The final products that an electronic imaging professional is expected to produce are
- full color portraits
- camera ready copy
- mural landscapes
- thumbnail sketches
Using a vacuum frame and double burning a line negative flat and a halftone or screen flat onto one piece of film is called a
- contact
- undercut
- composite
- halftone
Gum solutions are used to
- develop images
- eliminate grain
- protect the non-image area
- do all the above
When duplicating two-sided copies by using the xerographic method, the term is
- two-sided copying
- duplexing
- AB copying
- front and back copying
Performance Assessment:
Administration Time: 3 hours and 35 minutes
Number of Jobs: 6
Areas Covered:
7% Design and Copy Preparation
19% Electronic Imaging
18% Reproduction Photography
22% Image Assembly/Proofing/Platemaking
21% Duplicator/Press Operations
13% Finishing
Sample Job:
Design and Copy Preparation
Estimated Job Time: 15 minutes
Participant Activity: The test participant will use design principles to produce a two-color vacation advertisement with a finished size of 7-inches by 9-inches. Three thumbnail sketches will be prepared and one rough will be developed based on the best thumbnail.