Cutomised Courses

The Graphic Arts Industry encompasses broadly printing, packaging and publishing where art and technology constantly merge in an amazing diversity of technical and graphic design skills. With the outstanding development in Computer technology, the trade now falls under the much wider concept of Communication industry
.
Few industries have been affected by such pace of change in technology. Changes brought by the digital revolution, new substrates, inks, adhesives and varnishes drastically affect the way we conceive, manage and communicate.

Learning for life
The way we manage change relates to the way we stagnate, progress or succeed. Managing change basically means learning to do things better or doing new things. Changes in the modern world occur constantly. To keep abreast we must adapt by learning continuously. "Learning for life" is now an accepted concept in progressive society.

Customised courses
Recognising this challenge, AGT is offering various schemes to meet the training need of individual or company: Sandwiched and Bespoke courses.

Sandwich courses
The scheme enables busy professionals to meet their specific training needs. All the courses being delivered in term of units, they can join units when they take place in Electronic Publishing, 3D digital Video Animation, Diploma in Graphic Design and HND in Graphic Design.
Certificates of competence are awarded for each unit and achievements are graded as either pass, merit or distinction.

Our marketing would be pleased to advise the specific scheduled time allocated to units for planning purposes. Unit lengths vary from 2 weeks to 5 weeks and are delivered in single stream.

Bespoke courses
The scheme enables companies to meet their training needs. As these needs vary greatly from industry to industry, timing and budget constrains. The courses are delivered on bespoke approach in term of flexibility, content, level, length and timing to suit the requirements.

Basically training is an investment by which the output in term of benefits should be much greater than the initial monetary input and inconvenience. The focus therefore is offering bespoke solutions to specific requirements by means of industrial training.

Consultancy
The college is also providing consultancy training services in the field of graphic design, computer skills, print technology and print management skills within and outside Kenya.

Printing Technology

Pre-Press Operations

Once artwork is designed it has to be prepared for the printing process. In this unit learners will take an image from a computer and plan and prepare the image carrier for the selected printing process. Learners will study the considerations necessary for printing by offset and post-press operations. They will apply this knowledge to the production of a range of printed products. Learners will also gain an awareness of the changes in technology.
The will gain a clear awareness of image carrier production for printing processes and create practical layouts and
impositions for a range of print jobs. They will also plan and prepare image carriers competently for at least one printing process using relevant quality control measures. The unit includs exploring changes in technology in the pre-press area and accurately identifying how they affect production stages.

Printing Operations

It is not uncommon for print operators to run printing presses by rules of thumb, short of a solid foundation. This is a major cause for poor quality, low productivity and high waste. This unit enables learners to gain sound hands-on experience of all stages of commercial printing, from making-ready and running a litho printing press efficiently. Learners will also learn about the commercial standards in printing and the theory behind their work.
In this unit learners will methodically explore printing operations and select suitable presses to print given jobs.
Learners will also be taught to clearly follow make-ready procedures to prepare and set up printing equipment forproduction. Through practical assignment, learners will be shown how to run a press whilst observing health and safety procedures and clean and maintain the printing press and related equipment by following good housekeeping procedures

Post Press Operation

This unit gives learners hands-on experience of the finishing area that is termed 'post-press'. Learners will develop skills in a range of print finishing, converting and bookbinding operations. They will also learn about the commercial standards in post-press and the theory behind their work.
This unit will prepare learners to show clear understanding of the relationship between print finishing, converting and bookbinding in respect of imposition and folding schemes. The learners will also methodically investigate hand and
machine methods of print finishing and converting, hand and machine methods of print finishing and converting and basic bookbinding methods. Learner will be expected to select and use correct sequencing of operations for print finishing, converting and bookbinding to meet specified requirements.

Maintaining Equipment

Maintaining equipment to continue to deliver reliable and peak performance is a major endeavour to achieve productivity, quality and profitability.
This unit provides a hands-on experience of maintaining printing equipment. Learners will develop skills in component removal, cleaning, replacement and setting. They will also learn about why maintenance and servicing are important.
In this unit learners will be given opportunities to m ethodically explore the component replacement and scheduled
maintenance within and outside the responsibility of the operator. Learners will also investigate the need for continual lubrication and the variety of methods that have been devised to do this. During these investigations learners will carry out basic maintenance and component replacement and show an appreciation of the need for maintenance schedules and good housekeeping.

Carton Manufacture

This unit provides learners with an opportunity to develop skills in and understanding of the principles involved in the manufacture of carton packaging. The unit will provide a framework for the learner to learn and develop skills in all aspects of 3D print conversion — constructional design, sample manufacture, die making, cutting and creasing, as well as folding and gluing. In this unit, learners will demonstrate a clear understanding and competent use of the various materials and equipment required in carton production. Learners will be able to consider competent use of carton design
and manufacturing processes. They will show an appreciation of the need for accuracy of cartons and packaging lines and methodically explore technological changes in design and manufacture of cartons as a form of packaging.

Print Administration

Cost Accounting, Costing & Estimating

This unit introduces learners to the role of the administrator in calculating costs, estimating materials and time and cost analysis. Learners will investigate computer packages used in the industry and explore the 'method of working' printed matter. In this unit learners will methodically investigate the cost accounting methods used in the printing and digital media industry. Learners will examine investigate estimation methods in order to select and use a suitable method to estimate the costs for a given job. Learners will be able to compare actual costs with
estimated costs for given jobs and accurately interpret findings.

Printing Materials

This unit is designed to enable learners to develop an understanding of the nature, behaviour and handling of materials. This will involved investigation, comparison, experimentation and use in a variety of situations.
In this unit learners will be given opportunities to investigate the properties and characteristics of a wide range of paper, board and other substrates for specified uses. Learners will also investigate the properties and characteristics of inks, toners and adhesives, the properties and characteristics of light-sensitive materials and digital media surfaces for
specified uses. During these investigations learners will be requested to show clear understanding of health and safety requirements and use suitable ways of keeping risks to a minimum in the workshop.

Production Planning & Quality Control

This unit introduces learners to production planning and quality control. They will gain experience of how to plan production, techniques and equipment used to monitor and control quality through the production process.
In this unit learners will have the opportunity to Clearly describe the process of production planning and explain how it is controlled. They will learn to clearly describe how information is recorded, analysed and processed at each stage. They will also learn how to Prepare a clear and practical production plan for a given job and to clearly
describe how quality control procedures are applied at each stage of production

Sales, Marketing and Customer Care

This unit introduces learners to marketing techniques, product sales and customer care. Learners will explore customer needs and company image in a commercial environment.
Through the unit, learners will show a clear awareness of promotion and company image in preparing a plan to promote a given company's products and services. They will explore the principles of marketing and sales affect production
This will involve carrying out wide-ranging and relevant research to show a clear understanding of how businesses
maintain and monitor customer service. In working through this unit, learners will select and use appropriate methods of customer contact for handling different clients' needs

COURSE UNIT TITLES

Digital Technology

Colour Management and Control

The digital environment has created new challenges particularly for printers. In this unit, learners will be exposed to the science of colour that drives the colour reproduction process in particular the way that the digital platform emulates colour in an analogue form. The unit exposes learners to differentiate between the colour perception of the human vision, the application of colour theory and the limitation of the printing process. The learners are exposed to colour environment, colour temperature, colour gamut, spectrography, densitometry, and the variance that occurs through
ithe colour reproduction process cycle. The unit introduces learners to colour profiling and demonstrates the practice of colour calibration ranging from printing press outcomes, digital proofing and monitor screen. The unit demonstrates the use of specialised equipment and software, interpreting variance and adjusting system to match printed test

Digital Pre-press Operations

This unit provides the learners with an advanced knowledge and practice of digital imaging to film using Rip workstation and processors. It includes the integration of image transfer variables in printing press such as dot gain, trapping and registration. The unit provides learners with knowledge of planning for post-press operations such as pagination, imposition, folding and cutting.
It exposes the learner to analyse, determine and intervene on digital files to meet conformance to standard. This unit
includes practice of quality control procedures.

Text Processing in Publishing

Printers are now increasingly receiving ready-made digital files for imaging. Often they do not meet the technical criteria. The unit gives learners the opportunity to explore text origination and design for a range of publishing work that involves striking a balance between aesthetics, legibility, imagery and convenience.
Learners will be able to explore problems associated with indexing and referencing for general reference work and specialised textbooks. The unit consolidates learners' prior skills in DTP with industry-standard software package.The
learners are exposed to the parameters imposed by the production process and method in digital pre-press, printing and post-press in their publishing assignments.

Print Technology

Mechanised Post-press	This unit prepares the learners with knowledge and hands-on experience in handling machinery in post-press operation safely. Learners will develop the skill in operating machinery in a range of print operation using, manual or automatic feeding. The unit exposes learner to machine design and integration of automatism principle by conveyors, detectors, guides and safety features.The learners get acquainted with job planning to suit machines specification and compatibility from one process to another. From cutting, the unit takes the learners progressively to folding, collating, bindings then enhancing operations.
Multi-Colour Offset Printing	This unit consolidates learners' prior learning and hands on experience in handling lithographic printing presses. Learners will develop the knowledge and skills to print multi-colour work in a range of print situation using single and multi unit sheet fed presses. The unit exposes the learner to evaluate the factors that influence colour work, pre-make ready and make ready operation to meet pass sheet requisite, colour control, maintaining output to standard and managing variances. Learners will be guided in assessing proof characteristics, in interpreting and setting printing parameters to match printed outcome with pass proof. The unit familiarise learners with ink management in process colours, preset spot colour scheme and matching by mixing ink.
Packaging Manufacture	The unit provides the learner with the knowledge and the understanding of material properties, manufacturing technology and design roles that contribute to the creation of packages. The learners widen their awareness on the diversity of printing and converting operations associated with the packaging manufacturing processes. The knowledge on the close relationship between material properties, printability, convertibility and design is reinforced by practical exploration of solutions that lead to effective packaging. Learner will become able to describe the characteristics and usage of the materials utilised in packaging, to specify the suitable printing process and converting process operation to develop carton design solutions and construct cutting and creasing layouts.
Packaging Studies	The packaging industry is by and large among the ten largest industries in many countries. It involves taking into consideration many factors to be taken into consideration in producing effective packaging solutions. In this unit learners investigate packaging from the inception to the final product. They are introduced to the packaging technical requirement, material types, purpose and practical needs, marketing consideration, product type, design solution and environmental issues that have to be incorporated to fit the purpose.The learners gain awareness of packaging manufacturing constraints, which can be overcome with creativity, knowledge of material and processes.
Principles of Maintenance for Printers	Successful printing establishments depending on production output to achieve their business objectives, recognise the importance of maintaining the performance of their plant and equipment. In this unit learners learn about the principles of managing maintenance effectively in term of objectives, roles, structure, responsibilities. The unit exposes analysis of the main principles of managing maintenance effectively in term of objectives, roles, structure, responsibilities. Learners are introduced to engineering to acquire a broad knowledge of machinery general functioning principles and on plant engineering commonly found in printer's workplace. The unit anchors the learners' knowledge by exposing them to maintenance management and practices (e.g. cleaning, lubricating, component removal and replacement) required to effectively sustain the performance of printing equipment.
Printing by Flexography, Gravure and Silk-screen	This unit equips the learner with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the three main printing process that have undergone many technological development in the recent years. They have progressively taken a large share of the printing market in the packaging industry that was initially mainly produced by Lithography. Learners are guided to detect these processes in finished products and to evaluate the factors that influence their usages. Investigating the actual operation in printing plants where these processes are in use reinforces their knowledge. They will be able to compare them with Lithography and determine
Quality Control in Graphic Operations	This unit provides the learner with knowledge and understanding of variability in print material and processes through the whole production chain from origination to post-press. The learner will learn to apply control procedures, organise sampling and use tools and instrument to carry out measurements. Learners will learn to organise and collect data, to evaluate their relevance. The unit introduces learners to quality assurance principles and conformance to specification in origination and pre-press operations, printing operations and post-press operations.

Print Administration

Costing, Estimating and Cost back	The main task of estimators is to assess the cost of producing printing jobs. It is therefore important that they have background knowledge of costing principles. For effective estimating, it is essential for a printing business to have a sound cost accountancy system. The unit assists learners to gain knowledge of roles and functions of estimating and prepares them to assess and select working methods to prepare estimates and quotations both manually and by computers. Collection of production data, interpreting finding and analysing variance are essential activities in managing profitability in the printing business. In this unit learners explore cost back methods in a printing establishment to obtain a good appreciation of the overall aims of this unit.
Developing Human Resources Performance	Effectively managing employees' contribution is a key factor for organisations to achieve their purposes. It is important to ensure that the performance of the labour force is well co-ordinated and motivated to gain committed employee co-operation. The unit assists learners to understand how organisations identify their training needs, design and implement training programmes and budgets. The unit introduces learners to the principles and methods of evaluation. It explores methodology and practice of training adults and awarding achievement. In an environment where training facilities and resources are scarce, development of competence may require exploring a wide range of approaches.
Management in Print Business	Management of business, administration, account and manufacturing operations are the fundamental structured activities of any print media organisation. This unit provides an introduction to the principles of management and policy that contribute to the efficient day-to-day running of organisations. Learners' attention is particularly directed to the functions commonly practised in print business. The learners methodically investigate legal matter and trade practices commonly required in print business. In this unit the learners will explore the principle elements of management that are required to co-ordinate print production and processes efficiently.
Managing Information for printers	Management needs information for both long and short terms planning activities. This information is required at all levels in all organisations and in a form that must satisfy the end users. The unit introduces learners to information systems and tools needed to manage different activities to develop their understanding of how data can be processed to support organisations planning. The unit develops basic skills to build solution using spreadsheet and data base applications. The unit focuses on the widely increased use of personal computer, networking and e-mail to demonstrate key skills in problem solving and communicating information in the printing industry. This will improve the management of clients, stock, estimate, job scheduling and production feedback.
Market and Clients	Traditionally printers concentrated on servicing in-coming clients. Today, marketing is an important consideration to manage the external influences that affect business. In many printing organisations, sales and marketing functions are generally overlapping. A good understanding of sales management in relation to roles, structure, process, salesmanship's attributes and product knowledge is crucial in meeting organisational objectives. To reinforce the learning objectives of the unit, learners are introduced to the order processing procedures and routines.
The Publishing Sector	The aim of this unit is to give learners a broad over-view of the activities of publishers. It involves exploring the various sectors of publishing to discern how publishers adapt to readers needs (e.g. education, referencing, news, entertainment, culture) in term of context, authorship, format, style, design, readability, economy, distribution and periodicity. The unit introduces learner to contractual obligation (e.g. authors and resellers fee, discount). The learners will investigate a broad range of publishing practices (e.g. management structure, promotion and responsibility, re-sellers and distribution, advertising income generation). The learner will be required to identify process and practice of copy preparation, proof reading, designing, gathering research material, team work, editorial procedures and dealing with printers).

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