Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts

About this course

Do you want to work in the printing or graphic arts industry? This course will give you the knowledge and skills to work in roles such as printer’s assistant and digital print operator.

Skills and knowledge you will learn in this course includes:

basic screen printing
digital imaging and editing
basic design concepts
operating and managing machines
preparing films, inks and additives
digital processes.

You can choose from a range of elective subjects to develop further skills in:

converting, binding and finishing
digital media technologies
screen printing
printing support.

Note that the availability of electives may vary depending on your selected training provider.

This course can be used as a pathway into a range of specialist areas within the printing and graphic arts industry. You may also choose to enrol in further study, for example a Certificate IV in Design.

This qualification is recognised nationally under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

This course can be done as a traineeship. You’ll get technical knowledge through coursework and hands-on experience through paid work. On completion you will receive a nationally recognised qualification.

To enrol as a trainee, you’ll need:
1. a job in a relevant workplace in the same field as your course, and
2. an employer willing to sign a Commonwealth Government ‘Training Contract’ and support your learning at work.
To get started:
- contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for information on finding an employer and for ongoing support
- find a course provider that delivers the course as a traineeship.
To get help:
- contact the TAFE and Training Line
- visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page
- visit Apprenticeships Victoria.

Units of study

Core units

Unit title	Unit code
Prepare and maintain the work area	ICPSUP2030
Inspect quality against required standards in a production environment	ICPSUP2160

Elective units

Unit title	Unit code
Deliver a service to customers	BSBCUS201
Set up single-faced web	ICPCBF2140
Set up double-faced web	ICPCBF2160
Produce basic folded and glued cartons	ICPCBF2180
Produce basic converted or finished product	ICPCBF220
Set up and produce basic guillotined product	ICPCBF2210
Set up machine for basic flat-bed die cutting or embossing	ICPCBF2250
Produce basic flat-bed die cut or embossed product	ICPCBF2260
Set up machine for basic rotary die cutting or embossing	ICPCBF2270
Produce basic rotary die cut or embossed product	ICPCBF228
Set up machine for basic flat-bed cutting	ICPCBF2310
Produce basic flat-bed cut product	ICPCBF2320
Set up machine for basic folding	ICPCBF2410
Produce basic folded product	ICPCBF2420
Set up machine for basic collating or inserting (sheet/section)	ICPCBF2430
Produce basic collated or inserted (sheet/section) product	ICPCBF2440
Set up and produce hand-collated or inserted product	ICPCBF2450
Set up machine for basic adhesive, mechanical or thermal fastening	ICPCBF2610
Produce basic adhesive, mechanical or thermal fastened product	ICPCBF2620
Set up and produce hand-fastened product	ICPCBF2630
Set up machine for basic laminating	ICPCBF2810
Produce basic laminated product	ICPCBF2820
Clean sack and bag machines	ICPCBF297
Run and monitor sack and bag machines	ICPCBF2980
Run and monitor in-line bottom making machine for sack or bag manufacture	ICPCBF301
Produce single-faced web	ICPCBF3050
Produce double-faced web	ICPCBF3070
Set up machine for complex sequenced or multiple folding	ICPCBF3410
Access and use the internet	ICPDMT2630
Create and test interactive storage devices	ICPDMT2960
Capture digital images	ICPDMT3210
Edit digital images	ICPDMT3220
Mount and proof flexographic plates for basic printing	ICPPRN2110
Produce basic flexographic printed product	ICPPRN2140
Produce basic gravure printed product	ICPPRN2220
Produce basic lithographic printed product	ICPPRN2320
Produce basic pad printed product	ICPPRN2420
Set up for foil stamping	ICPPRN2610
Produce foil stamped product	ICPPRN262
Set up for basic coating	ICPPRN271
Produce basic coated product	ICPPRN272
Produce and manage basic digital print	ICPPRN2820
Use digital media consumables	ICPPRN2830
Use colour management systems	ICPPRN284
Use digital workflow	ICPPRN2850
Finish a digital product	ICPPRN2860
Use digital processes	ICPPRN2870
Produce basic relief printed product	ICPPRN2880
Set up for basic flexographic printing	ICPPRN3130
Set up for basic pad printing	ICPPRN3410
Set up and produce basic digital print	ICPPRN3840
Develop basic design concepts	ICPPRP2110
Select and apply type	ICPPRP2210
Produce pages using a page layout application	ICPPRP224
Produce graphics using graphics applications	ICPPRP2250
Electronically combine and assemble data for page layouts	ICPPRP2320
Output images	ICPPRP2520
Proof images	ICPPRP2600
Produce offset lithographic plates	ICPPRP2670
Produce flexographic photopolymer plates	ICPPRP2680
Design basic carton	ICPPRP281
Produce PDF files for online and screen display	ICPPRP2840
Scan images for reproduction	ICPPRP2860
Transfer digital files	ICPPRP2970
Produce typographic images	ICPPRP3210
Digitise images for reproduction	ICPPRP3220
Operate databases for digital printing	ICPPRP3850
Prepare screen	ICPSCP2150
Prepare substrate	ICPSCP2210
Manually prepare direct emulsion stencil	ICPSCP2330
Manually prepare and produce screen prints	ICPSCP2700
Manually produce basic screen prints	ICPSCP2710
Semi-automatically produce basic screen prints	ICPSCP2730
Automatically produce basic screen prints	ICPSCP2750
Finish screen print products	ICPSCP2810
Prepare film for basic screen printing	ICPSCP2820
Reclaim screen manually	ICPSCP3110
Prepare film for complex screen printing	ICPSCP3830
Prepare, load and unload reels and cores on and off machine	ICPSUP2010
Prepare, load and unload product on and off machine	ICPSUP2020
Prepare machine for operation (basic)	ICPSUP2070
Operate and monitor machines (basic)	ICPSUP2080
Prepare inks and additives	ICPSUP2110
Pack and dispatch product	ICPSUP2210
Lift and shift loads mechanically	ICPSUP2360
Undertake warehouse materials processing	ICPSUP2410
Reconcile process outputs	ICPSUP2430
Perform basic industry calculations	ICPSUP2630
Enter data into electronic systems	ICPSUP2800
Use computer systems in the printing and graphic arts sectors	ICPSUP2810
Undertake basic machine maintenance	ICPSUP2820
Dispose of waste	ICPSUP3230
Undertake inventory procedures	ICPSUP3420
Apply quick changeover procedures	ICPSUP3570

Course providers

This course is offered by the following providers. Click on the links to the provider websites for the latest information on course details, fees and how to apply.

Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Frankston Road (Frankston)
Delivery modes: Part time on-campus
- Visit Chisholm Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Wodonga (West Wodonga)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Wodonga TAFE for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider