SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Make and work with printing plates 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243179  Make and work with printing plates 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Printing and Packaging 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard reflects the skills required to:
  • Ensure plates have been correctly prepared and processed according to specifications.
  • Ensure all work processes are carried out according to company standards and machinery manufacturers' specifications.

    It also reflects the understanding of:
  • The basic make up of printing plates.
  • The various common types of printing plates and the differences between them in the form of grades.
  • Key properties which influence storage, transport, processing and the end-product.

    This unit standard would be assessed in the following printing and packaging processes e.g.:
  • Printing:

    > Letterpress.
    > Screen printing.
    > Flexography.
    > Gravure.
    > Lithography.
    > Continuous stationery.
    > Roll label.
    > Rotary offset.
  • Manufacture of packaging, with or without in-line printing processes:

    > Bag making (flat bag).
    > Sack making (tubing).
    > Sack making (Bottoming).
    > Carton making.
    > Can and end making.
    > Laminating.
    > Coating.
    > Corrugated board manufacturing.
    > Tubing.
    > Wrapping.
    > Over printing.
    > Envelope making.
    > File manufacturing.

    The skill, the knowledge and the values reflected in this unit standard form part of the exit level outcomes required for the National Certificate in Printing and Manufacture of Packaging NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The following competencies are assumed to be in place:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy, at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The scope and level of this unit standard is indicated by range statements related to the specific outcomes. The work reflected in this unit standard is normally performed semi-autonomously under minimal supervision. The work will be guided by relevant worksite procedures, manufacturers' specifications and safety, health and environmental legislation. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Determine print requirements, select appropriate type of plate and related materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Process documentation and instructions are read and interpreted as per requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Further documentation is prepared in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Plates are selected, prepared and processed in accordance with specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Materials and resources are selected and used in accordance with organisational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Check film negatives for conformance to specification and process plates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Plates are prepared in accordance with specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation activities vary with the type of plate and the nature of the printing process and includes operation such as the following:
  • Adding the registration points, cutting to size, identifying copy position of unwind position, preparing exposure masks.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Plate processing equipment is set up in accordance with specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Film is positioned and plates are processed in accordance with specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Film includes any form of image transfer material.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Plates are checked for quality in accordance with specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Adjustments are made and the plate is post-treated in accordance with specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Make adjustments includes deepening half tones, touch ups.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Appropriate instruments and tools are used to control exposure. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Clean up working area and equipment and handle and store plates appropriately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All work processes are carried out according to company standards and machinery manufacturers specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All work is carried out safely and with out affecting the health of others or the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Work is carried out with due care and of materials equipment and quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Work area is kept clean and orderly. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain and apply principles related to plate making, handling and storage. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Key plate principles are explained relative to their application to the plate making process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles include: type and size of plate materials; relationship of the quality of the plate to quality of the print and the nature of the substrate; and principles underlying the making of the plates.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Quality principles are explained relative to plate making process. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the Unit Standard.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following items reflect the type of knowledge that the assessor will evaluate:
  • Names & functions of:
    > Plate materials, tools and equipment.
    > Negatives, positives and other forms of master.
    > Specifications, instructions.
    > Consumables.
    > Services.
    > Maintenance and safety functions on the equipment.
    > Standards.
    > Time frames.
    > Efficiency.
    > Wastage or spoilage.
  • Purpose of:
    > Plates and plate making process.
  • Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties:
    > Materials, components and consumables.
  • Processes and events:
    > Plating making processes.
    > Handling and storage.
  • Causes and effects, implications of:
    > Hazards relating to the plate making process and their effect on people equipment and the environment.
    > Poor quality work and unwanted marks on the plates.
  • Procedures and techniques:
    > Safety.
    > Housekeeping.
    > Plate preparation and processing.
    > Standard operating procedures.
  • Sensory cues:
    > Colour perception, reading reverse images; Sensory cues related to plate making and plate making materials working with and caring for plates, materials, damage or fault detection.
  • Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
    > Related to safety, health and environment.
    > Standards, operating procedures.
    > Organisational policies and rules relating to working with and caring for, handling and storing plates and related materials.
  • Theory: rules, principles, laws:
    > Principles of plate making processes and printing processes.
    > Contextualisation of concepts related to working with and looking after materials.
  • Categories:
    > Hazardous materials; substrate; personnel; tools, equipment.
  • Relationships, systems:
    > Relationship and integration.
    > Value chain.
    > Corrective action reporting and continuous improvement.
    > Communication.
    > Work group.
    > Internal relations in production environments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems:
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues and principles related to plate making, handling and storage. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others:
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues and principles related to plate making, handling and storage. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities:
  • Determine print requirements, select appropriate type of plate and related materials.
  • Check film negatives for conformance to specification and set-up and prepare plates for processing.
  • Setup plate processing equipment, position film and process the plates.
  • Check the plates for quality issues, make adjustments and post-treat the plates.
  • Clean up working area and equipment and handle and store plates appropriately.
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues and principles and related to plate making, handling and storage. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • Determine print requirements, select appropriate type of plate and related materials.
  • Check film negatives for conformance to specification and set-up and prepare plates for processing.
  • Setup plate processing equipment, position film and process the plates.
  • Check the plates for quality issues, make adjustments and post-treat the plates.
  • Clean up working area and equipment and handle and store plates appropriately.
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues and principles and related to plate making, handling and storage. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively:
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues and principles and related to plate making, handling and storage. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically:
  • Determine print requirements, select appropriate type of plate and related materials.
  • Check film negatives for conformance to specification and set-up and prepare plates for processing.
  • Setup plate processing equipment, position film and process the plates.
  • Check the plates for quality issues, make adjustments and post-treat the plates.
  • Clean up working area and equipment and handle and store plates appropriately.
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues and principles and related to plate making, handling and storage. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems:
  • Determine print requirements, select appropriate type of plate and related materials.
  • Check film negatives for conformance to specification and set-up and prepare plates for processing.
  • Setup plate processing equipment, position film and process the plates.
  • Check the plates for quality issues, make adjustments and post-treat the plates.
  • Clean up working area and equipment and handle and store plates appropriately.
  • Respond to questions and discuss issues and principles and related to plate making, handling and storage. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  57899   National Certificate: Printing and Manufacture of Packaging  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  FPMSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.