Unit Title: Print Production
Unit Credit Value: / 10Unit Level: / Two
Unit Guided Learning Hours: / 60
Ofqual Unit Reference Number: / J/600/6511
Unit Review Date: / 31/12/2016
Unit Sector: / 9.3 Media and Communication
Unit Summary
This unit aims to develop learners’ understanding of print production techniques and technology. Learners will be introduced to ways of developing ideas for print products, and will investigate and practise hand, mechanical and digital print production methods.
Through following this unit, learners will develop their understanding of print production techniques and technology through investigating hand, mechanical and digital print production methods, learning about the advantages and disadvantages of each method. They will then make print products using analogue and digital print production technology and techniques.
Unit Information
It is expected that before the unit is delivered, the tutor will have read the Qualification Specification to ensure all conditions regarding Rules of Combination, delivery, assessment and internal quality assurance are fulfilled. Additional guidance is available below as Assessment Guidance for Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria in bold.
This unit has4learning outcomes
LEARNING OUTCOMES / ASSESSMENT CRITERIAThe learner will: / The learner can:
- Know about print production technologies and techniques
- Be able to develop ideas for printed material
- Be able to create print products
- Be able to review own print production work
Assessment Guidance
Learning Outcome 1
Print production technologies and techniques:
Techniques and technologies: hand, e.g. etching, linocut, screen print, woodcut, lithography; mechanical, e.g. letterpress, gravure, screen process; digital, eg photocopying, laser printing, inkjet, desktop publishing (DTP).
Advantages and disadvantages: skills and knowledge required; costs; speed; aesthetic considerations; technical considerations.
Learning Outcome 2
Develop ideas for printed material:
Ideas generation: methods, e.g. brainstorming, group discussion, past and current commercial practice; technology, e.g. hand, mechanical, digital; requirements, e.g. client’s needs, technical restrictions, costs, audience or market.
Design originations: ideas sheets; thumbnails; concept drawings; rough drafts.
Considerations: costs; available resources; quantity; legal and ethical issues.
Learning Outcome 3
Create print products:
Production: technology, e.g. hand, mechanical, digital; proofs; final versions; production management.
Products: e.g. newspapers, magazines, posters, leaflets, flyers, booklets, labels, packaging.
Learning Outcome 4
Review own print production work:
Finished product: compared with original intentions; technical qualities; aesthetic qualities; suitability for audience or market.
Production process: production management; technical skills; creative development.
Sources of information: self-evaluation; production logs; comments from others, e.g. audience, peers, tutors, client.
Delivery
This unit should be seen as an introduction to the processes, techniques and technology used in print production.
Learners should undertake research into the range of print processes and link this to the range of print products available. In the first lesson of the unit this could be done simply by getting the members of the group to do an ‘audit’ of all the printed material they have in their possession at that moment. This could be followed up with similar exercises with a more specific objective such as an audit of printed materials in the school or college reception foyer, in a specified shop, or on a tube or railway platform. One such exercise could focus on the proportion of verbal to visual information, another on the purpose of each item of printed material. In this way learners should begin to develop a thoughtful response to the print items that surround them.
Learners will need guidance on print production processes and should experiment with techniques from both hand-printing and mechanical processes. Learners should understand that print is about making multiples not just one-off items. Care should be taken to allow exploration of a full range of processes and techniques.
Digital technology makes instantaneous prints possible but learners must understand the processes required to produce printed material in bulk.
Whilst centres may have DTP facilities it is recommended that these are used for initial design and layout of products. Learners should then be able to make the step towards production using both traditional and digital technology.
Learners may well be working as part of a team. In order to satisfy the Learning Outcome requirements centres should be aware of the need to provide an outline or theme for the print products. This may be a newspaper or magazine to which learners contribute specific sections, or posters and flyers for a specific event. There should be plenty of opportunities within any educational institution for learners to produce print products for real purposes and to tightly specified briefs.
Learners doing this unit will need access to a wide range of printed materials which may be found by research on the internet, through local or national contacts or through visits. It may be necessary to visit a local printer to develop an understanding of some traditional and digital print techniques and technologies.
Evidence Requirements
Evidence of practical ability must be demonstrated.
Resources
Equipment
Learners will need access to a range of print production processes from linocut printing through to high-end colour laser printing in order to produce their final products. Desktop publishing and image manipulation software (such as Photoshop or iPhoto) should be available.
Books
Adams M and Dolin P – Printing Technology, 5th Edition (Delmar Cengage Learning, 2001)
Bann D – The All New Print Production Handbook (Turtleback, 2007)
Banks A and Caplin S – The Complete Guide to Digital Illustration (ILEX, 2003)
McCue C – Real World Print Production (Peachpit Press, 2006)
Speirs H – Introduction to Printing and Finishing (Pira International, 2003)
Various – Dictionary of Publishing and Printing (A&C Black, 2006)
Websites
industry website with links to job outlines, profiles and opportunities in the print industry
contains a helpful page with a glossary of key words and terms used within the industry
weekly news and information from the print industry including updates and changes in techniques and technology
a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of analogue and digital printing methods
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Version 1 – October 2014
© AIM Awards 2014
AIM Awards