Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Printing Craft
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Printing Processes: Functions, Materials, Tools And Equipment Used.
Topic: TECHNICAL WORKSHOP IN PRINTING INDUSTRY.
Subject Matter: Types of technical workshop in printing industry, Computer room functions, Image origination and composing section, Lithographic darkroom, Tasks carried out in each room.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify different types of technical workshops in the printing industry.
State the functions of the computer room in a printing workshop.
Explain the processes involved in the image origination and composing section.
Describe the purpose and activities of a lithographic darkroom.
Mention specific tasks carried out in each printing workshop section.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of each section of a printing workshop.
Develop an interest in the various stages of the printing process.
Recognise the need for safety and order in a workshop environment.

Psychomotor Domain:

Differentiate visually between various printing workshop sections using charts or images.
Outline the workflow from image origination to darkroom processing.

Participate actively in discussions about printing workshop operations.
Collaborate with peers to understand the interconnectedness of workshop sections.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Printing Craft, SS1.
Okoro, J.O. (2018). Printing Technology for Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press PLC.
https://www.printindustry.com/printing-process/workshop-layout
https://www.graphicsprint.com/articles/darkroom-essentials

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Printing workshop layout chart.
Computer workstation photo.
Composing tools images.
Darkroom safety signs.
Projector (if available) for showing images.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the different parts of a printing workshop and what happens in each section. Knowing these details is important for anyone interested in printing, as it shows how a printed material is created from start to finish.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of what printing is and may have seen simple printing equipment or examples of printed materials.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

TECHNICAL WORKSHOP IN PRINTING INDUSTRY

Types of Technical Workshops in the Printing Industry

A printing workshop is divided into different sections, each with specific functions to ensure a smooth printing process.

The following are common types of technical workshops or sections in the printing industry:

Computer Room / Pre-press Section
Image Origination and Composing Section
Lithographic Darkroom
Plate Making Section
Machine Room / Press Section
Finishing and Binding Section

Functions of the Computer Room (Pre-press Section)

The computer room is where digital preparation of print jobs takes place before they are sent to the press. It is a critical part of modern printing.

The following are key functions carried out in the computer room:

Design and Layout: Creating and arranging text, images, and graphics for print.
Text Processing: Typing, editing, and formatting written content.
Image Editing: Retouching, colour correction, and manipulation of images.
Page Assembly: Combining all elements into final page layouts using desktop publishing software.
File Preparation: Ensuring files are in the correct format and resolution for printing.
Proofing: Generating digital proofs for client review.

Image Origination and Composing Section

This section deals with the creation or acquisition of images and the arrangement of text and visuals for reproduction.

The following are tasks carried out in the image origination and composing section:

Photography: Capturing images using cameras.
Scanning: Converting physical photographs or artwork into digital files.
Manual Composing: Arranging individual characters (type) and blocks by hand for letterpress (less common in modern offset).
Digital Composing: Using software to arrange text and images on a page (often overlaps with the computer room).
Artwork Preparation: Preparing illustrations and graphics for reproduction.

Lithographic Darkroom

The lithographic darkroom is a light-controlled environment used for processing light-sensitive materials, primarily films and plates, in the pre-press stage of offset lithography.

The following are tasks carried out in the lithographic darkroom:

Film Processing: Developing and fixing photographic films used for image transfer.
Contact Printing: Creating film positives or negatives by exposing light-sensitive film to existing artwork or films.
Plate Exposure: Exposing printing plates to light through films to transfer the image onto the plate surface.
Chemical Handling: Preparing and managing chemicals for film and plate development.
Quality Control: Inspecting processed films and plates for defects before they move to the press.

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 asks them to name some items they use daily that are printed (e.g., books, newspapers, labels). The teacher then asks if they know how these items are made and explains that today’s lesson will introduce them to the different sections of a printing workshop where these items are produced.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions, mentioning printed items and expressing their thoughts on how they are made.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of a printing workshop and its relevance.

Step 2: Types of Technical Workshops

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents the printing workshop layout chart and points out the different sections. The teacher lists and briefly describes each type of technical workshop in the printing industry, such as the computer room, image origination, darkroom, machine room, and finishing section, using the visual aids.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart, listen attentively, and identify the different sections as the teacher explains them. They may ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and differentiate among the main sections of a printing workshop.

Step 3: Computer Room Functions

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a photo of a computer workstation and explains the specific functions of the computer room (pre-press section). The teacher details tasks like design, text processing, image editing, and page layout, emphasizing its role in digital preparation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and observe the photo. They state some functions of the computer room as the teacher asks questions.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the digital tasks performed in the computer room.

Step 4: Image Origination and Composing Section

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the image origination and composing section, showing images of composing tools. The teacher describes how images are created or acquired (photography, scanning) and how text and visuals are arranged, linking it to the previous computer room discussion.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and observe the images of tools, identifying their use in composing and image origination.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the processes of image creation and arrangement in the composing section.

Step 5: Lithographic Darkroom

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visualisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the purpose of the lithographic darkroom, highlighting its need for light control. Using darkroom safety signs as visual aids, the teacher describes tasks such as film processing, plate exposure, and chemical handling.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen carefully, understanding the unique environment and tasks of the darkroom. They identify safety signs.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the darkroom’s role in processing light-sensitive materials for printing.

Step 6: Discussion of Tasks in Each Room

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Recap
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a brief discussion, asking pupils to recall and state specific tasks carried out in each of the discussed sections (computer room, image origination, darkroom). The teacher provides additional examples if needed.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate, stating tasks and functions for each room, reinforcing their understanding.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their knowledge of the specific activities in each workshop section.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

List three types of technical workshops found in the printing industry.
State two functions of the computer room in a printing workshop.
Mention two tasks carried out in the image origination and composing section.
Explain the main purpose of a lithographic darkroom.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of each section in a printing workshop. The teacher then gives an assignment: “Draw a simple layout of a printing workshop and label at least four sections discussed in class.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils recap the lesson and receive homework to reinforce learning.

Lesson Keywords

Pre-press – The stage of preparing a print job before it goes to the printing press.
Composing – The process of arranging text, images, and other elements on a page for printing.
Origination – The creation or acquisition of images and artwork for reproduction.
Lithographic – Relating to lithography, a printing method where images are transferred from a plate to a blanket, then to the printing surface.
Darkroom – A light-tight room used for processing light-sensitive photographic materials.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research specific software used in the computer room. For pupils needing more support, the teacher can provide simplified diagrams and allow them to work in pairs during activities.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to relate the workshop sections to everyday printed items. Emphasize the flow of work from one section to another to give pupils a holistic understanding of the printing process. Practical examples or virtual tours (if resources permit) can enhance learning.