Requirements September 1987 until April 1999

1. Tell about the process for producing printed communications: offset lithography, gravure, flexography, letterpress (relief), screen printing, and electronic processes. Show samples of each or make sketches that explain how these processes work.

2. Design a printed piece such as a poster or advertising flier. Make an accurate layout and be sure to specify the type to be used. Explain the difference between typefaces and explain their purposes.  Explain how type is arranged and the skills needed to proceed to print.

3. Explain the difference between a line and a halftone and how each is made.

4. With your counselor, choose ONE of these printing processes to print the piece you designed.

(a) Offset lithographic printing

(1) Using the layout you made, set the type, keyline or pasteup, and prepare a suitable negative.
(2) Properly strip the negative for exposure onto an offset plate.  Expose and process this plate.
(3) Using this plate, print at least 50 copies.

(b) Screen process printing

(1) Using the layout you made, hand letter or set the type, keyline or pasteup, and prepare a photographic or hand-cut stencil.
(2) Adhere this stencil to a screen frame and prepare the screen for printing.
(3) Using a screen printing base with clamps, print at least 25 copies.

(c) Letterpress printing

(1) Using the layout you made, set the type either by hand or machine and select an appropriate engraving to illustrate your project.
(2) Lockup your type and engraving in a chase for printing.
(3) Using this form, print at least 50 copies.

5. Do the following:

(a) Review with your counselor a brief background on the history of bookbinding.
(b) Explain the differences between perfect, spiral, plastic comb, and case binding.
(c) Explain saddle stitching, perfect binding, and four side trim.
(d) Make a scrapbook and bind it using one of the methods.
(e) Explain the pagination process.

6. Identify three career opportunities in graphic arts and tell how you can prepare for each of them.

7.Do ONE of the following:

(a) Visit a newspaper printing plant.  Follow a story from the editor's desk through composition and printing.  Tell about your visit, including careers you observed and the equipment used in the production of the newspaper.
(b) Visit a commercial printing plant.  Follow a job through production.  Tell about your visit, including careers you observed and the equipment used in the production of the job