Pancyprian Graphic Arts study plan

Define and give one worked example of each element and principle of design (balance, contrast, hierarchy, unity, rhythm, proportion) using your own sketches.

Explain the difference between RGB, CMYK and spot colour workflows and state at least two production situations where each is the correct choice.

Annotate a printed poster or brochure you own, identifying the grid, hierarchy and colour strategy used, in a one-page written analysis.

Calculate effective image resolution for three given print sizes and identify which fail a 300 ppi at final size target.

Describe the full prepress chain from native layout file to imposed PDF, naming the checks performed at each stage.

Set up a document with correct bleed, trim, safe area and slug values and export a print-ready PDF/X-style file from software you use.

Classify typefaces (serif, sans serif, slab, script, display) and match five given print jobs to appropriate families with justification.

Explain key typographic measures (leading, tracking, kerning, measure, x-height) and adjust a paragraph so it meets a stated readability target.

List the standard preflight errors (missing fonts, low-resolution images, RGB objects, missing bleed) and describe how to detect and fix each.

Apply a typographic hierarchy to a single page using only size, weight and spacing, and defend each choice in writing.

Compare offset lithography, flexography, gravure and digital toner/inkjet on setup cost, run length, substrate range and typical quality.

Explain the main offset press systems (plate and blanket cylinders, dampening, inking, registration, sheet transfer) and label them on a hand-drawn diagram.

Describe how ink trapping, dot gain and registration error affect printed results and state how each is controlled on press.

Match five given jobs (short-run label, long-run magazine, packaging carton, variable-data mailer, large-format banner) to the most suitable printing process with cost and quality reasoning.

Explain how ink type (oil-based, UV-curable, water-based, solvent) interacts with substrate absorbency, drying and adhesion.

Compare coated, uncoated, recycled and synthetic substrates on ink holdout, opacity, stiffness and finishing compatibility.

Describe paper grain direction and calculate the most economical sheet layout for a given finished size and run quantity.

Identify and describe the main finishing operations (cutting, folding, creasing, perforating, laminating, foiling, embossing, die-cutting) and state one design constraint each imposes.

Select and justify a binding method (saddle stitch, perfect, spiral, case) for four given page counts and life-expectancy requirements.

Draw a folding scheme and imposition for a given finished piece, showing creep allowance for saddle stitching.

List the principal workshop hazards (solvent vapour, ink mist, paper dust, noise, manual handling, machine nip points) and the control measure for each under a hierarchy-of-controls approach.

Explain correct handling, storage and disposal routes for inks, solvents, wipes and waste paper in a print workshop.

Explain how colour management differs between print (CMYK, ICC profiles, soft proofing) and screen (sRGB, display calibration, gamut limits).

Prepare and export web-ready assets (correct dimensions, compression, colour profile, alt text) from a print-origin design.

Describe file formats and their trade-offs (JPEG, PNG, WebP, SVG, PDF) and choose one for five stated delivery scenarios.

Explain how an interactive or web deliverable changes design decisions around typography, contrast and resolution compared with print.

Complete a colour-management exercise: assign, convert and soft-proof an image and record the visible differences.

Build a cost estimate for a specified job covering substrate, plates or setup, press time, finishing, waste and margin.

Produce a production schedule for a multi-stage job, identifying the critical path and two realistic delay risks.

Define quality control checkpoints across prepress, press and finishing, and state the measurement or visual check used at each.

Explain how proof types (soft proof, contract proof, press proof) differ in authority and when each is appropriate.

Identify the client-facing communication points in a job and draft the questions you would ask at each.

Answer a full set of timed practice questions across all nine domains and score each domain separately to expose weak areas.

Re-teach your two weakest domains from your own notes without referring to source material, then correct the gaps.

Consolidate all weekly deliverables into a single indexed revision file with cross-references between domains.

Recite from memory the key figures and rules you must know (bleed, resolution targets, dot gain ranges, binding page-count limits, hierarchy-of-controls order).