How you’d get this certificate
- Zavmo teaches you. You learn the units one-to-one with an AI tutor, on your own work.
- You register with an approved centre. That is a college, training provider or employer GQA Qualifications Limited has approved to offer this qualification. Zavmo is not an approved centre, so you register with them, not with us.
- The centre assesses, and GQA Qualifications Limited awards. A qualified assessor at the centre judges your evidence, and the certificate comes from GQA Qualifications Limited.
The Level 3 NVQ diploma is for those working in digital pre-press for print. Learners will develop skills in areas such as setting and running guillotines, making photopolymer plates, and controlling the use of variable data with digital printing.
These are the units GQA Qualifications Limited registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated. Zavmo teaches towards them on your own work, and work done here is recognised as prior learning under the agreements we hold.
Zavmo is not an awarding body, is not an approved centre, and is not affiliated with GQA Qualifications Limited. It does the teaching and the mapping. GQA Qualifications Limited sets this qualification and awards it, and a qualified human assessor makes the assessment decision.
Free first step
Try a free Future Fluency lesson first
The free part is a Future Fluency lesson on using AI at work. It is not part of this qualification. Next, a free account. We build your plan for this qualification as you set up. Teaching towards this qualification begins when you subscribe.
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What each unit actually teaches you to do
Contribute to Improving the Effectiveness of the Print Organisation Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Obtain and understand the work schedule within the print organisation.
- Ensure that the correct quantities of products, materials and human resources are used in the print organisation.
- Minimise wastage of materials within the print organisation.
- Know why it is important to contribute to improving the effectiveness of the print organisation.
- Know what information to share with colleagues regarding your job role and understand why this is important for effective teamwork.
- Share information effectively with colleagues within the print organisation.
- Identify and pass on suggestions for improvements to work activities within the print organisation.
- Know how and why to identify opportunities and needs for self-development and know how to manage this information effectively.
- Know why it is important to have good relationships with customers of the print organisation.
Control The Use Of Variable Data With Digital Printing Machines Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Prepare variable data for use in digital printing equipment
- Produce personalised printed products using variable data
- Describe how to control the use of variable data with digital printing machines
Design And Produce Creative Digital Colour Artwork For Print Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Agree a design specification for digital artwork for print with relevant stakeholders
- Produce creative digital colour artwork that meets the agreed design specification
- Amend digital colour artwork as required to meet customer and product specifications, incorporating feedback and revisions
- Describe how to design and produce creative digital colour artwork for print, considering factors such as colour theory, typography, and image resolution
Maintain Digital Systems In Working Order Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Start up and close down imaging systems according to manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedures
- Contribute to the effective operation of digital systems by following established protocols
- Explain how to maintain digital systems in working order, including routine checks and basic troubleshooting
Make Gravure Cylinders Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Produce gravure cylinders suitable for print production
- Describe the process of preparing a gravure cylinder for image transfer
- Transfer the image accurately onto the gravure cylinder
- Explain the methods used to transfer the image to the cylinder
Make lithographic printing plates Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Produce lithographic printing plates to the required standard
- Describe how to maintain lithographic printing plates in good working order
- Explain the process of producing lithographic printing plates
Make photopolymer plates for flexographic printing Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Prepare photopolymer plates for printing processes
- Process photopolymer plates according to specifications
- Describe the process of making photopolymer plates for flexographic printing
Manage Colour Digital Printing Machines Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Prepare digital colour printing machines for print jobs, ensuring correct settings and materials are loaded
- Control the operation of digital colour printing machines to achieve desired print quality and output
- Maintain digital colour printing machines in serviceable condition through regular cleaning and preventative maintenance
- Describe how to manage digital colour printing machines, including workflow management and resource allocation
- Monitor the quality of output from the digital printing machines, identifying and addressing any issues
- Monitor the quality of product throughout the production process, ensuring adherence to specifications
Manage Colour Reproduction In Digital Pre-Press Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Manage the calibration of digital pre-press equipment to ensure accurate colour reproduction
- Configure pre-press software settings within the workflow to optimise colour management
- Apply colour profiles correctly to achieve consistent colour output
- Describe the principles and practices of managing colour reproduction in digital pre-press
Materials Handling, Transportation and Storage within the Print Working Environment Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Identify and select the required type and quantity of materials for a given task.
- Handle and transport materials in accordance with company guidelines and health and safety regulations.
- Know the impact of incorrect handling and transporting of materials on product quality and safety.
- Position and store materials in accordance with organisational procedures to prevent damage and ensure accessibility.
- Position or store materials in accordance with organisational procedures, ensuring correct labelling and stock rotation.
Output Digital Image Carriers for Print Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Impose images electronically using appropriate software and techniques.
- Prepare images for processing, ensuring they meet the required specifications for output.
- Produce and process image carriers, following established procedures and quality control measures.
- Produce computer-generated image carriers, understanding the different methods and technologies involved.
Plan and Produce Edited Images Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Determine the most suitable imaging approach for a given task
- Produce edited images to meet specified requirements
- Explain the processes involved in planning and producing edited images
Plan work to meet production requirements Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Interpret production requirements from specifications, job sheets, or other documentation.
- Plan production tasks to meet customer requirements, taking into account resources, deadlines, and quality standards.
- Plan work to meet production requirements, including risk assessment and contingency planning.
Preflight Digital Files Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Preflight digital artwork files, identifying potential issues that may affect print quality.
- Interpret and report the results of preflighting digital artwork files, communicating any necessary corrections to the relevant parties.
- Know the purpose and methods of preflighting digital files, including common errors and their solutions.
Prepare Stencils for Printing Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Prepare the mesh for stencil production
- Describe how to prepare the mesh for stencil production
- Prepare stencils for printing production
- Describe how to prepare stencils for printing
Produce Approved Colour Proofs From Digital Artwork Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Produce digital proofs for print using appropriate software and hardware
- Assess proofs against required specifications, identifying any discrepancies or areas for improvement
- Modify digital artwork to meet specifications based on proof assessment and feedback
- Explain how to produce approved proofs from digital artwork, including colour management and calibration techniques
Promote and Maintain Health and Safety in a Print Related Working Environment Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Know which acts, regulations and guidelines apply to the print related working environment, including relevant health and safety legislation.
- Monitor and implement changes in health and safety acts, regulations and guidelines within the print related working environment.
- Carry out a formal assessment of hazards and risks in the print related working environment and understand the types of risk or hazards that exist.
- Identify hazards and assess risks in the print related working environment, taking appropriate action to mitigate them.
- Promote safe working practices within the print related working environment.
- Promote safe working practices amongst colleagues in the print related working environment.
- Adopt a safe method of work in all activities within the print related working environment.
- Ensure there is no unauthorised or unsafe access to the working areas within the print related working environment.
- Monitor colleagues to ensure they comply with health and safety requirements within the print related working environment.
- Know what to do in the event of accidents or emergencies within the print related working environment.
- Understand the problems that can occur with promoting and maintaining Health and Safety within the print related working environment and the potential solutions.
Send and Receive Digital Files Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Send digital files securely and efficiently using electronic means
- Receive digital files correctly via electronic means
- Describe the procedures for sending and receiving digital files
Set and Run Guillotines Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Set and programme guillotines according to job specifications.
- Run guillotines efficiently and safely.
- Monitor the quality of guillotine cutting to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Monitor the quality of guillotine cutting to identify and address any issues.
Set and Run multi-knife trimming machinery Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Set up multi-knife trimming machinery in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and organisational procedures.
- Run multi-knife trimming machinery to meet production requirements.
- Set and run multi-knife trimming machinery safely and efficiently.
Set and run booklet making machinery Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Set booklet-making machinery according to job specifications and safety guidelines
- Run booklet-making machinery to produce finished booklets to the required standard
- Set and run booklet-making machinery efficiently and safely
Understanding the Print Industry Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Know the range of printing processes used within the print industry, including their characteristics and applications.
- Understand the factors that influence the choice of printing process, such as cost, quality, and substrate.
- Know the types of equipment used within the print industry, including their functions and capabilities.
- Recognise and understand the need for confidentiality within the print industry, including data protection and intellectual property rights.
Use of scanning techniques to create digital images Real unit · GQA Qualifications Limited
What you'll be able to do
- Select the appropriate scanning approach based on the requirements of the task
- Prepare equipment and materials for scanning operations
- Produce and save scanned images in accordance with the job specification and company standards
- Explain the planning and capture of digital images using scanning techniques
The national standards these units are built against
What the job actually needs, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
- Standard
Comply with company environmental procedures
- Standard
Control Digital Colour Printing Machines
- Standard
Control Multiple Hopper Feeders
- Standard
Control digital colour printing machines
- Standard
Control in Booklet Making Machinery
- Standard
Control output and quality from flat sheet digital colour printing machines
- Standard
Control output and quality from three dimensional printing machines
- Standard
Control output and quality from web fed digital colour printing machines
- Standard
Control programmatic guillotines
- Standard
Control the Set-Up of Web Fed Digital Colour Printing Machines
- Standard
Control the set-up of flat sheet digital colour printing machines
- Standard
Control the setup of three-dimensional printing machines
- Standard
Control the use of variable data with digital printing machines
- Standard
Create digital colour artwork for print
- Standard
Design and produce creative colour artwork for print
- Standard
Design and produce creative digital colour artwork for print
- Standard
Develop and implement systems and procedures within the workplace to minimise environmental impact of the organisation
- Standard
Identify and organise the requirements for production
Showing 18 of 48 standards these units map to.
The credits, and who awards them
Level 3 credits are regulated, and they are awarded by GQA Qualifications Limited rather than by Zavmo. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you have covered and what is next.
What you would be collecting
Contribute to Improving the Effectiveness of the Print OrganisationControl The Use Of Variable Data With Digital Printing MachinesDesign And Produce Creative Digital Colour Artwork For PrintMaintain Digital Systems In Working OrderMake Gravure CylindersMake lithographic printing platesMake photopolymer plates for flexographic printingManage Colour Digital Printing Machines
Each one is a real unit registered against this qualification.
How you’d practise it
You don’t watch this. You do it.
You are not assessed on remembering this. You are assessed on applying it, analysing it, evaluating it and producing something. So that is what the practice is: projects, role play and your own live cases, with a tutor in the room.
The Navigator · your what-if tutor Illustration - Bring your own plan Create
For “Plan and Produce Edited Images” you bring the plan you are actually working on, not a case study. Zavmo pulls on the assumptions in it until the weak one shows.
- Map a live decision Analyse
“Control The Use Of Variable Data With Digital Printing Machines” runs on a decision you are facing now. Zavmo maps it with you and shows what the second-order effect looks like before you find out the slow way.
- Lead it Apply
“Manage Colour Digital Printing Machines” is practised on the team you actually have. You talk through the call you are about to make, and Zavmo makes you say it the way you would say it to them.
What you leave holding
The standards this credential builds, in the shape the product keeps them
Nothing here is marked learned. There is no learner on a public page, so the map shows what the qualification covers rather than what anybody has done.
- Comply with company environmental procedures
- Control Digital Colour Printing Machines
- Control Multiple Hopper Feeders
- Control in Booklet Making Machinery
- Control output and quality from flat sheet digital colour printing machines
- Control output and quality from three dimensional printing machines
- Control output and quality from web fed digital colour printing machines
- Control programmatic guillotines
How you would learn this
One to one, on the work you already do
A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.
A lesson from Contribute to Improving the Effectiveness of the Print Organisation, one of this qualification's own units.
Applied to your own work
Learners will understand how to contribute to improving the effectiveness of a print organisation. This unit covers interpreting work schedules, managing resources, minimising material wastage, and recognising the importance of effective communication.
- 1 Remember
- 2 Understand
- 3 Apply
- 4 Analyse
- 5 Evaluate
- 6 Create
It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time. Teaching towards this qualification begins when you subscribe.
Built for GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Digital Pre Press for Print
23 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by GQA Qualifications Limited.
- Contribute to Improving the Effectiveness of the Print Organisation
- Control The Use Of Variable Data With Digital Printing Machines
- Design And Produce Creative Digital Colour Artwork For Print
- Maintain Digital Systems In Working Order
- Make Gravure Cylinders
- Make lithographic printing plates
and 17 more in the full unit list below.
Free tools
Want a read on where you stand?
Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.
Learned on your own work, taught one-to-one.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your free first module is Future Fluency, so you can see how the teaching works before you pay for anything.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.
The title, level, credits, guided learning hours and unit learning outcomes on this page are taken from the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Where this data comes from.