OCG - Graphic Communications 2

A: Digital File Preparation and Output

1. Type
2. Page Layout and Design
3. Image Capture and Editing
4. Illustration
5. PDF
6. Prepress
7. Color Management
8. File Systems and File Management
9. Digital File Output
10. Math and Measurement
11. Type
    1. Discuss the role of type as a design element in graphic communications
    2. Compare the physical characteristics of basic type classifications
       1. Serif
       2. Sans Serif
    3. Identify the physical characteristics of type classifications
       1. Bold
       2. Italic
       3. Roman
    4. Identify the physical characteristics of typographic characters
       1. Uppercase
       2. Lowercase
       3. Small Caps
       4. Ligatures
       5. Glyphs
       6. Subscript
       7. Superscript
    5. Identify typographic ems and ens and their associated dashes
    6. Explain the use of points and picas as measurement increments
    7. Identify the physical characteristics of type

1. X-Height
2. Mean-Line
3. Baseline
4. Ascender
5. Descender
6. Leading (spacing)
7. Tracking
8. Kerning 
1. Compare display (headline) type and body (text) type by their point sizes and type styles
2. Recognize text alignment
   1. Flush Left
   2. Flush Right
   3. Center
   4. Justify
3. Compare the differences of typeface technologies
   1. TrueType
   2. PostScript Type 1
   3. Open Type
4. Describe font substitution when outputting a printed page
5. Assess the effectiveness of a communication piece using different applications of type

B: Screen Printing Technology

2. Introduction to Screen Printing
   1. Technology
   2. Design and Prepress
   3. Frame and Mesh Preparation
   4. Stencil and Screen Preparation
   5. Print Production
   6. Clean up Process
   7. Math and Measurement
3. Technology
   1. Describe the screen printing process.
   2. Compare screen printing processes with other major printing processes
      1. Size of image
      2. Type of substrate
      3. Ink density (Four Color Process vs. Spot PMS colors
      4. Special inks
      5. Cost of equipment
   3. Describe the components necessary to complete a screen printing process including equipment and supplies.
   4. Define direct-to-screen.
   5. Compare features and specifications of three different types of automated screen printing presses
   6. Describe the workflow steps of screen printing process (Single color/Inline or Rotary press)
      1. File creation
      2. Film output
      3. Screen creation
      4. Mounting screen on press
      5. Print production
      6. Clean up
   7. Identify common products produced by screen printing .
4. Design and Prepress
   1. Describe different types of graphics used in screen printing.
   2. Define resolution.
   3. Describe an Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) file.
   4. Explain the use of a EPS file.
   5. Demonstrate the proper setup of a document using an instructor specified page size.
   6. Describe the use of paths in an illustration software program.
   7. Define trapping.
   8. Define overprint.
   9. Discuss the use of layers in an illustration software program.
   10. Define registration.
   11. Demonstrate the proper setup of a document using instructor specified frame, stencil, mesh and ink.
   12. Demonstrate applying trapping in an illustration software program.
   13. Determine job specifications from a job ticket/docket.
   14. Produce instructor specified art with all design elements, registration targets, color identification, and screen position on press.
   15. Produce a final proof to match job ticket specifications.
   16. Produce a positive film for stencil exposure.
   17. Produce a screen.
5. Frame and Mesh Preparation
   1. List different mesh counts and mesh type.
   2. Determine the appropriate choice of mesh count for an instructor specified substrate/image.
   3. List different frame types/construction.
   4. Choose an appropriate frame for an instructor specified job.
   5. Describe the process of attaching mesh onto a fixed and/or retensionable frame system.
   6. Describe the proper attachment of mesh to frame utilizing a tension meter.
   7. Inspect the quality of a frame and mesh preparation.
6. Stencil and Screen Preparation
   1. Specify the workflow steps used to make a screen.
   2. Explain the use of emulsion when making a screen.
   3. Choose appropriate type of emulsion.
   4. Describe requirements to prepare the screen for a stencil application.
   5. Demonstrate the proper application of emulsion to the screen.
   6. Demonstrate the proper drying requirements of the screen.
   7. Demonstrate the proper steps of exposing the screen while maintaining screen to screen registration.
   8. Demonstrate the proper steps of washing image area of a screen and allowing to dry.
   9. Identify the possible stencil defects that will affect the quality of print.
   10. Demonstrate the proper step of masking a stencil for production use.
7. Print Production
   1. List workflow steps used during printing.
   2. Demonstrate proper loading of screen onto press.
   3. Describe characteristics and proper applications of squeegees used:
      1. Durometer
      2. Shape
      3. Width
   4. Demonstrate the proper choice of squeegee for a specific job.
   5. List the types of ink used in screen printing.
   6. Choose the proper choice of ink for a specific job.
   7. Demonstrate confirmation of correct ink specifications from a job ticket.
   8. Describe the alignment of screens for proper registration.
   9. Demonstrate the proper alignment of screens for a specific job.
   10. Define flood stroke.
   11. Define print stroke.
   12. Define off contact and peel.
   13. Demonstrate the proper setting of off contact to control image quality.
   14. Demonstrate the proper application of ink to screen.
   15. Demonstrate the proper loading and alignment of substrate on press.
   16. Demonstrate the proper adjustment of squeegee pressure.
   17. Demonstrate the proper operation of press.
   18. Determine quality control procedures to ensure print quality.
   19. Describe drying systems:
       1. Flash
       2. Conveyor
   20. Evaluate a finished product.
8. Clean-up Process
   1. Demonstrate proper procedures when handling cleaning chemicals.
   2. List workflow steps used during cleaning.
   3. Demonstrate the proper removal, cleaning and storing of squeegee(s).
   4. Demonstrate the proper removal of remaining ink from screen.
   5. Demonstrate the proper cleansing of screen.
   6. Demonstrate the proper storage or disposal of ink as specified by local regulations.
   7. Demonstrate the proper removal of frame from a press.
   8. Demonstrate the proper preparation of screen for reuse or reclamation.
   9. Demonstrate the proper selection and use of appropriate chemistry and washout equipment to remove stencil.
   10. List possible defects in a screen.
   11. Demonstrate the proper storage of screen.
   12. Demonstrate proper cleaning of additional auxiliary equipment.
       
       Adobe Illustrator
9. Identify the purpose, audience, and audience needs for preparing graphics.
   1. Demonstrate knowledge of standard copyright rules for artwork, graphics and graphic use.
   2. Demonstrate knowledge of project management tasks and responsibilities.
   3. Communicate with others (such as peers and clients) about design plans.
10. Identifying design elements used when preparing graphics
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of design principles, elements, and graphic composition.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge of graphic resolution, graphic size, and graphic file format for web, video, and print.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of typography.
    4. Demonstrate knowledge of the use of symbols and representative graphics.
    5. Understand key terminology of graphics.
11. Understanding Adobe Illustrator
    1. Identify elements of the Illustrator user interface and demonstrate knowledge of their functions.
    2. Use non-printing design tools in the interface.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of and select the appropriate features and options required to manage color, pattern, and gradient swatches.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of vector drawing concepts.
    5. Demonstrate knowledge of how to work with brushes, symbols, graphic styles, and patterns.
    6. Demonstrate knowledge of layers and masks.
    7. Import, export, and save files.
12. Create graphics using Adobe Illustrator
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of how to create documents.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge of how to use drawing and shape tools.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of how to use type tools.
    4. Demonstrate knowledge of how to use scanned or photographic images.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to create realistic graphics.
    6. Demonstrate knowledge of how to modify and transform objects.
13. Archive, export, and publish graphics using Adobe Illustrator
14. Demonstrate knowledge of preparing graphics for web, print and video.
    
    File Systems and File Management
15. Describe computer networking within a work environment
16. Demonstrate transfer of files within a network
17. Describe font management procedures on a computer workstation
18. Discuss procedures for organizing and managing fonts on a workstation
19. Demonstrate font management procedures on a computer workstation
20. Demonstrate how to back up a file
21. Discuss disaster recovery file back up options
22. Describe file storage/transfer devices
    1. CD/ROM or DVD
    2. Flash Memory (USB)
    3. External Hard Drive
    4. Networked backup drives
    5. Offsite cloud backup
23. Demonstrate the use of a file compression utility for file storage or transfer
24. Describe metadata, the importance of metadata in managing media files and metadata for digital asset management
    
    Finishing
25. Finishing
    1. Review the mechanical safety requirements when working with bindery and finishing equipment
    2. Summarize the finishing production information on a job jacket/ticket
    3. Prepare folding dummies from instructor specified impositions
    4. Demonstrate how to check the squareness of stock
    5. Demonstrate paper jogging techniques
    6. Demonstrate paper sheet counting techniques
    7. Identify hand tools, equipment, and materials in bindery operations
    8. Identify in-line finishing systems
    9. Identify off-line finishing systems
    10. Describe finishing techniques
        1. Foil stamping
        2. Embossing / Debossing
        3. Perforation
        4. Drilling / punching
        5. Scoring
        6. Die cutting
        7. Collating
        8. Coating
        9. Lamination
    11. Determine key activities within a bindery operation in a commercial printing plant either on site or online via a virtual tour
26. Cutting
    1. Identify a guillotine cutter
    2. Calculate basic paper cuts from a parent sheet, considering job requirements and grain direction
    3. Draw a layout of cuts required for a printed job
    4. Create numbered sequence of cuts for a printed job
    5. Demonstrate proper cutting procedures for an instructor specified job
27. Folding
    1. Produce mockups of various folding configurations
    2. Demonstrate the use of folding equipment to produce:
    3. Describe folding techniques
    4. Describe scoring
28. Binding
    1. Describe binding equipment and applications
       1. Side stitch
       2. Saddle stitch
       3. Perfect bind/ Padding
       4. Coil bind
       5. Wire bound
       6. Comb binding
    2. Define creep of pages when folding a signature
29. Packaging
    1. Identify packaging and shrink wrap equipment and materials
    2. Summarize packaging information on job jacket/ticket

Required Instructional Materials and Resources:

• Essentials for design, Adobe InDesign CS by Robin McAllister
• Essentials for design, Adobe PhotoShop CS by Gary Poyssick
• Illustrator CS Hands-on-Training by Jeff Van West
• Graphic Communications and The Printed image by Z.A. Prust
• A $15 class fee will be required for supplies and project materials.

Art, Audio-visual Technology, & Communications