Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging

ICP31320

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

This qualification applies to individuals working in the print manufacturing area creating printed products by hand or machine. They are responsible for the post-press and finishing stages of the print process and apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems. They may provide guidance to others with some limited responsibility for the output of others.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

  • Financial help

    • Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:

      • Career Start (apprenticeship)
      • Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s

      *To be eligible for this funding, you have to do an apprenticeship.

      Check your eligibility

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    • VET Student Loans are not available
    • You may need to pay for equipment or materials.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    • Completing this course through an apprenticeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This apprenticeship is available:

    • Binding and Finishing

  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

    • Through apprenticeship:
      4 years
    • Qualification only:
      1–2 years

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Communicate in the workplace Core
Develop and apply knowledge of the printing and graphic arts industry Core
Inspect quality against required standards in a production environment Core
Maintain a safe work environment Core
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices Core
Apply competitive systems and practices Elective
Apply cost factors to work practices Elective
Apply problem solving techniques to 3D printing maintenance and operation Elective
Apply quick changeover procedures Elective
Apply software applications to digital production Elective
Contribute to workplace innovation Elective
Decorate paper Elective
Deliver customer service Elective
Design basic carton Elective
Digitise images for reproduction Elective
Dispose of waste Elective
Ensure process improvements are sustained Elective
Lift and shift loads mechanically Elective
Manage colour Elective
Manipulate 3D files in preparation for 3D printing Elective
Manually sort mail and parcels Elective
Mount and demount flexographic plates for complex printing Elective
Mount and proof flexographic plates for basic printing Elective
Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan Elective
Operate and monitor machines (basic) Elective
Operate databases for digital printing Elective
Organise personal work priorities and development Elective
Pack and dispatch (advanced) Elective
Pack and dispatch product Elective
Perform basic industry calculations Elective
Plan operational processes Elective
Prepare and maintain the work area Elective
Prepare for personalised digital printing Elective
Prepare for variable data printing Elective
Prepare ink and additives (advanced) Elective
Prepare inks and additives Elective
Prepare machine for operation (basic) Elective
Prepare, load and unload product on and off machine Elective
Prepare, load and unload reels and cores on and off machine Elective
Produce and manage basic digital print Elective
Produce and manage complex digital print Elective
Produce basic coated product Elective
Produce basic collated or inserted (sheet/section) product Elective
Produce basic converted or finished product Elective
Produce basic flat-bed cut product Elective
Produce basic flat-bed die cut or embossed product Elective
Produce basic flexographic printed product Elective
Produce basic folded product Elective
Produce basic laminated product Elective
Produce basic relief printed product Elective
Produce basic rotary die cut or embossed product Elective
Produce complex adhesive, mechanical or sewn fastened product Elective
Produce complex collated or inserted product Elective
Produce complex converted or finished product Elective
Produce complex flat-bed die cut or embossed product Elective
Produce complex flexographic printed product Elective
Produce complex folded and glued cartons Elective
Produce complex laminated product Elective
Produce complex relief printed product Elective
Produce complex rotary die cut or embossed product Elective
Produce complex sequenced or multiple folded product Elective
Produce double-faced web Elective
Produce foil stamped product Elective
Produce single-faced web Elective
Provide basic instruction for a task Elective
Reconcile process outputs Elective
Run and monitor envelope manufacturing machines Elective
Run and monitor sack and bag machines Elective
Set up and monitor in-line printing operations Elective
Set up and monitor in-line scoring, folding and gluing machine for sack or bag manufacture Elective
Set up and operate folder gluer machine Elective
Set up and produce 3D prints Elective
Set up and produce 3D scans Elective
Set up and produce basic digital print Elective
Set up and produce basic guillotined product Elective
Set up and produce complex digital print Elective
Set up and produce complex guillotined product Elective
Set up and produce hand-bound book Elective
Set up and produce hand-made box Elective
Set up and produce specialised digital print Elective
Set up for basic coating Elective
Set up for basic flexographic printing Elective
Set up for basic relief printing Elective
Set up for complex flexographic printing Elective
Set up for complex relief printing Elective
Set up for foil stamping Elective
Set up in-line tube making machine for sack or bag manufacture Elective
Set up machine for basic adhesive, mechanical or thermal fastening Elective
Set up machine for basic carton folding and gluing Elective
Set up machine for basic collating or inserting (sheet/section) Elective
Set up machine for basic flat-bed cutting Elective
Set up machine for basic flat-bed die cutting or embossing Elective
Set up machine for basic folding Elective
Set up machine for basic laminating Elective
Set up machine for basic rotary die cutting or embossing Elective
Set up machine for complex adhesive, mechanical or sewn fastening Elective
Set up machine for complex carton folding and gluing Elective
Set up machine for complex collating Elective
Set up machine for complex flat-bed die cutting or embossing Elective
Set up machine for complex laminating Elective
Set up machine for complex rotary die cutting or embossing Elective
Set up machine for complex sequenced or multiple folding Elective
Support continuous improvement systems and processes Elective
Undertake basic machine maintenance Elective
Undertake basic production scheduling Elective
Undertake inventory procedures Elective
Undertake pre make-ready for die cutting Elective
Undertake root cause analysis Elective
Undertake warehouse materials processing Elective
Use and respect copyright Elective
Use computer systems in the printing and graphic arts sectors Elective
Use electronic monitoring systems (converting and finishing) Elective
Use structured problem-solving tools Elective
Work with digital information Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Print Finisher

    ANZSCO 392111

    Print Finishers bind books and other publications, and finish printed products by hand or machine.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Screen Printer

    ANZSCO 392112

    Screen Printers prepare stencils, and set up and operate power-driven or hand-operated screen print equipment.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker

    ANZSCO 392211

    Graphic Pre-Press Trades Workers manipulate, set and compose text and graphics into a format suitable for printing and other visual media.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Printing Machinist

    ANZSCO 392311

    Printing Machinists produce books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, posters, leaflets, packaging materials and stationery using printing presses.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Small Offset Printer

    ANZSCO 392312

    Small Offset Printers set up and operate small offset printing presses used in instant print shops or for in-house printing.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Chemical Plant Operator

    ANZSCO 399211

    Chemical Plant Operators control the operation of chemical production plant.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Mail Clerk

    ANZSCO 561411

    Mail Clerks collect, sort and despatch mail within organisations.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate I or secondary education

  • Paper Products Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711311

    Paper Products Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture paper packaging and other products from paper and fibreboard stock.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Plastics Production Machine Operator (General)

    ANZSCO 711514

    Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) operate extruding, injection moulding and blow moulding machines to produce finished plastic products.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

Training providers delivering Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 3 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.
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