Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 9
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Printing Craft
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Printing: Advertising, Publishing And Graphic Careers In Printing.
Topic: PRINTING— EDUCATION AND CAREER IN PRINTING (CONT)
Subject Matter: Estimators in printing, Costing and quotations for print jobs, Sales management roles, Customer service in printing business, Order processing basics

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define an estimator in the printing business.
Explain the concept of costing and its importance in printing.
List the key roles of sales management in print services.
Describe essential customer service principles in printing.
Outline the basic steps involved in processing a print order.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of accurate estimation and costing in business success.
Show interest in the various career paths within the printing industry.
Value the role of good customer service in retaining clients.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify the components of a quotation form for print jobs.
Demonstrate how to review a sample print order form for completeness.

Participate actively in discussions about different roles in the printing business.
Communicate effectively about the importance of teamwork in order processing.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Printing Craft.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary School Printing Craft.
Ojo, A. (2018). Printing Craft for Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press PLC.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Quotation forms
Sample invoices
Printed order forms
Calculator
Product catalog sheets

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the various business and administrative roles within the printing industry, beyond just the production aspects. It enables them to see how different functions like estimation, sales, and customer service contribute to the overall success of a printing business and provides insight into potential career paths.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of what printing is and some general career opportunities in the printing industry from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN PRINTING (CONTINUED)

Estimators in Printing

An estimator in a printing business is a professional responsible for calculating the cost of a print job before it is produced. They determine the price that will be quoted to the customer.

The following are duties of a printing estimator:

Calculating the quantity and cost of materials (paper, ink, plates).
Estimating labour time and cost for different production stages.
Adding overhead costs (rent, utilities, salaries) and profit margins.
Preparing detailed cost breakdowns for quotations.

Costing and Quotations for Print Jobs

Costing is the process of determining the total expenses involved in producing a print job. A quotation is a formal document provided to a client, stating the estimated price for a specific print job.

The following are key elements considered in costing a print job:

Materials: Paper, ink, plates, finishing materials.
Labour: Wages for designers, press operators, finishers.
Overhead: Fixed costs like rent, utilities, depreciation of machinery.
Profit Margin: The desired profit percentage added to the total cost.

Sales Management Roles in Printing Business

Sales management involves overseeing the sales team and strategies to attract customers and secure print orders. Their role is important for the growth and profitability of the business.

The following are roles of sales management:

Developing sales strategies and targets.
Identifying potential clients and markets.
Presenting printing services and products to customers.
Negotiating prices and terms of service.
Maintaining strong customer relationships.

Customer Service in Printing Business

Customer service in printing involves providing support and assistance to clients before, during, and after a print job. Good customer service helps to build trust and ensure customer satisfaction.

The following are principles of good customer service:

Listening carefully to customer needs.
Providing clear and timely communication.
Addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
Following up with clients after job completion.
Maintaining a professional and helpful attitude.

Order Processing Basics

Order processing is the systematic procedure for handling a print request from the moment it is received until the final product is delivered and invoiced.

The following are basic steps in order processing:

Receiving the customer’s order (e.g., via email, phone, or in person).
Verifying order details, specifications, and payment terms.
Scheduling the job for production.
Monitoring the production progress.
Arranging for delivery or pickup of the finished products.
Issuing invoices and collecting payment.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reminds them of the previous lesson on general careers in printing. The teacher then introduces the topic of specific administrative and business roles in printing, asking pupils what they think an “estimator” might do.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s greeting, recall the previous lesson, and offer ideas on the role of an estimator.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and connect the new topic to prior knowledge.

Step 2: Estimators in Printing

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines an estimator and explains their duties, using examples of how they calculate material, labour, and overhead costs. The teacher may show a simple example of a cost breakdown.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the role and responsibilities of a printing estimator.

Step 3: Costing and Quotations for Print Jobs

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of costing and the purpose of a quotation. The teacher then uses a sample quotation form to point out the various elements included, such as quantity, description, unit price, and total cost.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the sample forms, take notes, and ask questions about the components of a quotation.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the process of costing and the structure of a print quotation.

Step 4: Sales Management Roles in Printing Business

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Elaboration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the importance of sales in any business, including printing. The teacher then explains the key roles of sales management in finding clients, negotiating, and maintaining relationships.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion, share their views on sales, and take notes on the roles of sales management.
Learning Point: Pupils understand how sales management drives business growth in printing.

Step 5: Customer Service in Printing Business

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Interactive
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains why good customer service is important in the printing industry. The teacher then outlines key principles of good customer service, such as clear communication, listening, and problem-solving, inviting pupils to share their own experiences.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, share relevant experiences, and note down the principles of good customer service.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the value and principles of effective customer service in printing.

Step 6: Order Processing Basics

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visualisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the step-by-step process of handling a print order from receipt to delivery. The teacher may use sample order forms to illustrate how information flows through the process.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the sample order forms, follow the explanation of each step, and ask questions.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the sequence and importance of proper order processing.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define an estimator in the context of a printing business.
List three duties of a printing estimator.
State two key elements considered when costing a print job.
Mention two roles of sales management in the printing industry.
Explain why good customer service is important in printing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of these administrative and business roles in the printing industry. The teacher assigns homework: “Research and write a short paragraph on how technology has impacted the work of a printing estimator.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given a task to reinforce understanding.

Lesson Keywords

Estimator – A person who calculates the cost of a print job.
Costing – The process of determining the total expenses for producing a print job.
Quotation – A formal document stating the estimated price for a print job.
Sales Management – Overseeing sales strategies and teams to attract clients.
Customer Service – Providing support and assistance to clients.
Order Processing – The systematic handling of a print request from start to finish.

Differentiation

The teacher will provide additional support to struggling pupils through simplified explanations and one-on-one guidance, while advanced pupils will be encouraged to research and present more detailed examples of costing or customer service strategies.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should adapt this plan to suit the specific needs and context of their pupils and available resources. Practical examples from local printing businesses can enhance understanding. Encourage pupils to think critically about how these roles interact in a real-world setting.