🗓️ Before Class: Teacher Prep
- Gather/set out: Large-format printer + photo printer access, A finished, approved design file, Various paper/media stock.
- Pull up today's slide deck (see 🖥️ Slide Deck below) so it's ready to project.
🧑🏫 Substitute Teacher Guide
A scripted, step-by-step runsheet for today's class -- hand this to anyone covering the room who doesn't know the daily routine.
- Day 1: 📋 Open Substitute Guide
- Day 2: 📋 Open Substitute Guide
🎯 Essential Question
- How do we correctly prepare and run a design on our large-format and photo printers?
📈 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson (2 Days), students will be able to:
- Prepare a file at the correct size, resolution, and color mode for large-format printing.
- Operate the large-format and/or photo printer to produce a finished piece.
- Troubleshoot a common print problem (color mismatch, cropped bleed, paper jam).
📐 Standards Alignment
CDOS (Career Development & Occupational Studies)
- CDOS 2 — Integrated Learning -- students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills are applied in the workplace and other settings.
- CDOS 3a — Universal Foundation Skills -- basic literacy, communication, and problem-solving skills required for a career.
- CDOS 3b — Career Majors -- knowledge and skills required for success within a specific career pathway (here, Digital Design).
Industry Standards (CCTC)
- AR-PRT 2-5 — Apply appropriate software programs in design and production; examine digital proofing technologies.
📚 Key Vocabulary
- Large-Format Printer
- A printer capable of producing posters, banners, and signage far larger than standard paper.
- Bleed
- Extra image area beyond the trim line so a print has no unwanted white edge.
- Color Mismatch
- When a printed color looks noticeably different from what appeared on screen.
🧰 Materials & Tools
- Large-format printer + photo printer access
- A finished, approved design file
- Various paper/media stock
🧠 Do Now (Warm-Up)
Why might a color that looks great on your screen come out wrong on a printed poster?
📋 Main Workshop / Lesson Sequence
This lesson spans 2 Days. Suggested pacing:
| Day | Focus | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Guided Practice | Do Now (5 min): why might a color look different printed than on screen? Mini-lesson/demo (10 min): preparing files for large-format output (size, resolution, bleed, color mode). Guided practice (25 min): prepare a sample file and run a test print, checking for issues. Share (5 min). |
| Day 2 | Independent Production | Do Now (5 min). Independent production (35 min): prepare and print a real approved job (yours or a classmate's) at full size, troubleshooting any print problems that come up. Log lessons learned (5 min). |
✅ Assessment & Exit Ticket
Final printed piece checked against the approved digital file for accuracy and print quality.
Exit Ticket: What is one thing you'd check on a file BEFORE sending it to the large-format printer, based on what you learned today?
📊 Pull up the anonymous Class Check-In for students to fill out before they go.
🧩 Differentiation & Accommodations
English Language Learners: model every step live, then check in one-on-one; provide translated materials and vocabulary support as needed. Students with IEPs: apply the accommodations and modifications listed in each student's plan (examples include extended time, graphic organizers, speech-to-text tools, chunked instructions, and visual schedules). Students with attention-related needs: break tasks into short, checklist-driven steps and provide brief movement or focus breaks. Students ready for a challenge: take on a leadership role critiquing peers' work, extend the project with a second iteration, or research how today's skill is used professionally in the field.
🔗 Resources & References
- None beyond this lesson's materials.