OCG - Graphic Communications

Graphic Communications Industry

1. Define and describe the graphic communications industry:
    a. Employees,
    b. number of establishments,
    c. revenue, and
    d. profit levels.
2. Identify the types of businesses and organizations that comprise the industry.
3. Review the types of products and services provided by the industry and provide samples.
4. Evaluate the use and value of different types of printing to a customer.
5. Describe the markets that use printing:
    a. direct mail,
    b. books,
    c. magazines,
    d . stationery, and
    e. packaging.
6. Compare the role (cost and effectiveness) of print compared to other communication mediums:
    a. television,
    b. radio,
    c. Internet, and
    d. media outlets.
    7. Assess examples of different types of communications mediums.
8. Identify local and national graphic communications associations.
9. Describe the purpose of local and national graphic communications associations.

Printing Process

10. Describe common printing processes:
      a. flexography,
      b. gravure,
      c. letterpress,
      d. offset lithography,
      e. screen printing,
      f. digital, and
      g. specialty printing.
11. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each printing process:
      a. economic,
      b. delivery timeframe, and
      c. physical characteristics of printed piece.
12. Identify concerns and issues related to counterfeiting, copyright, and intellectual property infringement.
13. Discuss general emerging technologies related to printing.

How Printing is Produced

14. Describe the workflow and function and use of basic production equipment used in a commercial printing plant:
     a. computer workstation and platform,
     b. scanner,
     c. proofing device,
     d. platesetter,
     e. offset lithographic press,
     f. digital press,
     g. paper cutter,
     h. folder,
     i. saddle stitcher,
     j. perfect binder,
     k. paper padding press, and
     l. paper drill.
15. Review common steps in a typical print workflow:
    a. digital file preparation,
    b. print, and
    c. finish.
16. Complete a job ticket to include production information as it pertains to a given job.
17. Identify departments within printing organizations and describe the roles and responsibilities of departments within printing organizations:
     a. sales,
     b. estimating,
     c. file preparation,
     d. printing,
     e. binding, and
     f. shipping.

B. Safety and Health

Safety rules

18. Review applicable national and local governmental safety regulations.
19. Review school graphic lab’s safety regulations:
     a. fire safety,
     b. OSHA,
     c. lock out tag out, and
     d. hazardous materials identification system (HIMS).
20. Explain the use and locations of safety interlocks on machinery.
21. List the school graphic lab Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for machines and chemicals.
22. Create safety awareness procedures.
23. Review chemical handling safety procedures to include PPE.
24. Evaluate Safety Data Sheets in place in the school graphic lab.

C. Premedia

25. Identify design:
      a. principles,
      b. typography, and
      c. elements.
24. List common page and sheet sizes used in United States and Europe.
25. Identify components of:
     a. text,
     b. illustrations, and
     c. photographs.
26. Proofread and edit page of text, making corrections/adjustments.
27. Define page layout, image editing, and illustration.
28. Review professional software applications:
     a. page layout (i.e., Adobe InDesign);
     b. image editing (i.e., Adobe PhotoShop); and
     c. illustration (i.e. Adobe Illustrator).
29. Utilize file management over various mediums aligned with industry practices.
30. Create a page that includes fonts, styles, margins, indents, tabs, photographs, and illustrations using professional layout software.
31. Assess the significance of Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) as it pertains to the graphic communications industry.
32. Create PDF of page that includes photographs and illustrations.
33. Compare the differences between supplying PDF files versus native files for print.
34. Define RGB and CMYK color reproduction.
35. Discuss the Pantone color process.
36. Identify need for color management across multiple platforms.
37. Identify different types of graphics:
      a. line art,
      b. continuous tone,
      c. raster, and
      d. vector.
38. Describe resolution.
39. Cite examples and uses of various file formats and their extensions:
      a. .doc,
      b. .pdf,
      c. .tif,
      d. .eps,
      e. .jpg,
      f. .bmp,
     g. .indd,
     h. .ai,
     i. .xls, and
     j. .ePub.
40. Review minimum resolution requirements for different output methods:
      a. screen display and
      b. print.
41. Describe methods for image capture.

Print Output

42. Describe Preflighting.
43. Explain the purpose of proofing.
44. Compare hard and soft proofs.

Digital Output

45. Review how content may be published digitally:
      a. publishing to the web,
      b. social media, and
      c. mobile devices.
46. Discuss e-publishing/e-books.

D. Offset Press

47. Review imaging process and components of an offset press system.
      a. Describe a printing unit:
          i. inking system,
          ii. dampening system,
          iii. plate cylinder,
         iv. blanket cylinder, and
          v. impression cylinder.
      b. Describe an offset printing plate.
48. Compare feeding system of a sheet fed press (roll, sheetfed).
49. Describe the use of quality control devices: color bars and printer’s

E. Screen Printing

50. Describe the screen printing process.
51. Compare screen printing processes with other major printing processes:
      a. Size of image
      b. Type of substrate
      c. Ink density (Four Color Process vs. Spot PMS colors
      d. Special inks
      e. Cost of equipment
52. Describe the components necessary to complete a screen printing process including equipment and supplies.
53. Define direct-to-screen.
54. Compare features and specifications of three different types of automated screen printing presses
55. Describe the workflow steps of screen printing process (Single color/Inline or Rotary press)
      a. File creation
      b. Film output
      c. Screen creation
      d. Mounting screen on press
      e. Print production
      f. Clean up
56. Identify common products produced by screen printing.

F. FLEXOGRAPHY

57. Career Opportunities
58. Describe the printing process
59. Apply knowledge of the historical background of Flexography to present day technology.
60. Give a working definition of Flexography in terms of:
      a. The printing process
      b. Type of plates
      c. Mounting systems
     d. Inking systems
      e. Types of Ink
      f. Substrates used.
61. Discuss the key historical development of the Flexo
62. List and explain advantages and disadvantages of the Flexo process.
63. Describe the cycle of a printed piece from design to finish.
64. Calculate film distortion for rubber and photopolymer plates.
65. Produce chokes and spreads.
66. Prepare prepress proofs.
67. Explain methods of single color proofing.
68. Explain methods of multicolor proofing.
69. Produce and evaluate prepress proofs.

G. Digital/Specialty Printing

70. Digital Presses:
     a. digital front end raster image processor (RIP),
     b. print engine:
         i. toner based (electrophotography),
         ii. inkjet, and
     c. delivery systems.
71. Dye Sublimation
     a. intro to dye sublimation
     b. the sublimation process
     c. color management and correction
     d. preparing images for sublimation
     e. dye sublimation production and applications
72. Cutting and Plotting Technology
      a. intro to cutting/plotting technology
73. Hydro Printing
      a. intro to hydroprinting
74. Wide Format Printing
     a. intro to wide format printing
75. Direct to Substrate Printing
     a. Intro to direct substrate printing

H. Finishing and Distribution

76. Describe finishing options, equipment, and uses:
     a. loose leaf,
     b. saddle stitch,
     c. perfect bind,
     d. case binding,
     e. lay flat binding,
     f. die cutting and embossing/debossing,
     g. foil stamping,
     h. padding,
     i. stitching,
     j. punching/drilling,
     k. folding, and
     l. collating
77. Describe in-line and off-line finishing.

I. Math and Measurement

78. Utilize English and Metric measurement systems.
79. Demonstrate the ability to read a ruler to 1/16th of an inch.
80. Define points and picas.
81. Demonstrate the measurement of type in points and line length in picas.
82. Calculate reduction or enlargement percentage of original photograph to final size.
83. Solve addition and subtraction of whole number, decimals and fractions.
84. Solve multiplication of whole numbers – two and three digits.
85. Solve basic ratio and proportion problems.
86. Explain and construct documents with multiple measurement systems used in the graphics fields to include: points, picas and inches.
87. Solve basic liquid measurement problems.

J. Workplace Readiness Skills

88. Personal Qualities and People Skills
      a. Come to work every day on time, be willing to take direction, and be motivated to accomplish the task at hand.
      b. Abide by workplace policies and laws and demonstrate honesty and reliability.
      c. Contribute to the success of the team, assist others, and request help when needed.
      d. Dress appropriately and use language and manners suitable for the workplace.
     e. Work well with all customers and coworkers.
      f. Negotiate diplomatic solutions to interpersonal and workplace issues.
      g. Contribute new ideas and work with initiative.
89. Professional Knowledge and Skills
     a. Follow directions and communicate effectively with customers and fellow employees.
     b. Read and interpret workplace documents and communicate clearly.
      c. Analyze and resolve problems that arise in completing assigned tasks.
     d. Follow safety guidelines and manage personal health.
     e. Identify "big picture" issues and your role in fulfilling the mission of the workplace.
     f. Continually acquire new industry-related information and improve professional skills.
     g. Prepare to apply for a job and to seek promotion.
     h. Organize and implement a productive plan of work.
     i. Use mathematical reasoning to accomplish tasks.
     j. Identify and address the needs of all customers, providing helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable service.
90. Technology Knowledge and Skills
     a. Select and safely use technological resources to accomplish work responsibilities in a productive manner.
     b. Use computers, file management techniques, and software/programs effectively.
     c. Use the Internet appropriately for work.
91. Select and use appropriate devices, services, and applications.

Other Standards:__________________________________________________

K. Dye Sublimation

92. Introduction to Sublimation Printing Technology
      a. Define sublimation printing.
      b. Identify key market segments.
      c. Discuss a brief history of sublimation.
      d. Identify sublimation, dyes, polymers, and substrates.
93. Create, Print, Press: The Sublimation Process
      a. Develop image creation and preparation.
      b. Identify sublimation printers.
      c. Identify various heat presses.
      d. Describe product applications for sublimation.
94. Color Management And Correction
      a. Demonstrate color matching.
      b. Demonstrate color management procedures.
      c. Demonstrate color correction application
      d. Compare and contrast color modes: RGB, CMYK, and grayscale.
95. Preparing Images for Sublimation
     a. Define resolution and resizing for a finished product.
     b. Describe tonal range.
     c. Apply colors to a vector image.
96. Dye Sublimation Production and Applications
     a. Discuss production tips and tricks.
     b. Practice basic dye sublimation application and troubleshooting:
         i. sublimating poly performance apparel,
         ii. hard poly fiber substrates,
         iii. poly coated products,
         iv. soft poly fiber substrates, and
         v. ceramic and glass.

L. Image Capture and Editing: Adobe Photoshop

97. Review professional Image Editing software applications: ACA Adobe Certification Objectives (certiport)
98. Setting project requirements
      a. Identify the purpose, audience, and audience needs for preparing image(s).
      b. Demonstrate knowledge of standard copyright rules for images and image use.
      c. Demonstrate knowledge of project management tasks and responsibilities.
      d. Communicate with others (such as peers and clients) about design plans.
99. Identifying design elements when preparing images
      a. Demonstrate knowledge of image resolution, image size, and image file format for web, video, and print.
      b. Demonstrate knowledge of design principles, elements, and image composition.
      c. Demonstrate knowledge of typography.
      d. Demonstrate knowledge of color correction using Photoshop.
      e. Demonstrate knowledge of image-generating devices, their resulting image types, and how to access resulting images in Photoshop.
      f. Understand key terminology of digital images.
100. Understanding Adobe Photoshop
      a. Identify elements of the Photoshop user interface and demonstrate knowledge of their functions.
      b. Demonstrate knowledge of layers and masks.
      c. Demonstrate knowledge of importing, exporting, organizing, and saving.
      d. Demonstrate knowledge of producing and reusing images.
      e. Demonstrate an understanding of and select the appropriate features and options required to implement a color management workflow.
101. Manipulating images using Adobe Photoshop
      a. Demonstrate knowledge of working with selections.
      b. Use Photoshop guides and rulers.
      c. Transform images.
      d. Adjust or correct the tonal range, color, or distortions of an image.
      e. Demonstrate knowledge of retouching and blending images.
      f. Demonstrate knowledge of drawing and painting.
      g. Demonstrate knowledge of type.
      h. Demonstrate knowledge of filters.