training workbook

Sign Making & Documentation
A training on the creation, printing, and documentation of a sign at Central Beverage Company
Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini
Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………… page 3
Background……………………………………………. page 4
The Software…………………………………………… page 8
Basic Computer Operations………………………….. page 11
Main Lesson…………………………………………… page 13
Exercise 10…………………………………………….. page 20
Summary………………………………………………. page 21
Appendix I……………………………………………. page 22
Appendix II…………………………………………… page 24
Appendix III………………………………………….. page 26
Appendix IV…………………………………………... page 31
Appendix V…………………………………………… page 37
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Introduction
The purpose of this training topic is for salespeople at Central Beverage Company (CBC) to gain general
knowledge in the sign making process at CBC. In this lesson you will learn about the six necessary stages
required to design, print, and document a sign at CBC. Based on the results of a front-end analysis, I have
determined prerequisite skills that will be reviewed in the background section of this workbook.
The possession of a general knowledge of sign making as a salesperson carries two major benefits. Firstly,
there are times when the sign maker is unavailable to print a last minute sign. It can create undue stress for
all involved and ill feelings against the sign maker if a sign cannot be completed. With a salesperson able to
create his/her own sign, these issues can be avoided. Secondly, this knowledge will benefit even the most
novice computer user as the skills gained in this training can be applied to other areas of computer use.
Therefore, learning to create, print, and document a sign is important for salespeople at CBC because the
knowledge can 1) aid the individual in his/her current position; and, 2) be fundamental information he/she
can take forward into future endeavors.
This lesson will relate to a salesperson position, in that, it is a good study into the process of creating
signs for street use. Additionally, other information will aid novice computer users as well as those
unfamiliar with the organizational structure of CBC.
Please access the companion website for this training at the following link:
http://www3.govst.edu/hptadvanced/http/Christina/structuredlesson/index.html
Objectives
At the end of this lesson you will be able to:
• Identify the salesperson’s route number given a DM and salesperson name with
100% accuracy;
• Given a scenario, fill out a “Banner Request Form” with 90% accuracy;
• Given knowledge of basic computer operations and the design software FlexiSign,
design a sign with 95% accuracy.
• Given knowledge of basic computer operations and the software VersaWorks,
perform functions to prepare the sign for printing with 95% accuracy;
• Conduct basic Roland printer operations to prepare the printer for printing with
100% accuracy;
• Given knowledge of basic computer operations, the software VersaWorks, and a
Roland printer, print the sign with 100% accuracy;
• Prepare the sign for street use with 95% accuracy;
• Given knowledge of basic computer operations and the software Microsoft Excel,
record sign information for future use by management with 95% accuracy.
Outline
Background (CBC information, “Banner Request Form”, software, computer operations)
Target Lesson: Six Steps of Sign Making & Documentation at CBC and Independent activity
Lesson Summary
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Background
Sign making can be a tedious task for those who do not realize how fun it can actually be. I am sure that
everyone has seen a sign advertising one product or another and thought “I could do that better!” Well, if
you learn the basics of sign making today – and maybe more complicated sign making in the future – you
can do just that. Making a sign at CBC is simple and fun. However, there is a breadth of knowledge and
some prerequisite skills required to complete the process.
Before you begin the training, you should have a basic understanding of CBC’s organization and their
“Banner Request Form,” some information about the software you will be using in the training, and basic
knowledge of computer operations.
Review of CBC organization. At CBC, sales districts are divided into teams. For each team, there is
one district manager (DM) and several salespeople. In order to understand where a sign is going and to
determine vital information about a sign with regards to salesperson and final sign destination (what account
location will receive it), it is important to understand the division of sales teams. In the chart below you
will see the labels of all 7 districts. In bold you will see the names of the DM’s. And, finally, you will see
each sales route designated by assigned number with salesperson name.
(Note: this is information as of March 2015)
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
John
Aranki
Mike
Shannon
John
Sabella
Steve
Karlicek
Kimmie
Warner
Nick
Mikal
Dave
Colander
502 Darren
520 Kevin
564 Rico
565 Richard
571 Bill
573 Jose
517 Mark
518 Joe
519 Camie
575 Jerlean
506 Joel
508 Freddie
509 Paul
510 Brian
512 Mike
582 Mark
548 John
550 Keith
552 Casey
572 Beau
576 Jerry
554 Peter
555 Sammy
556 Jamieson
558 Mike
560 Patrick
540 Mick
577 Zac
578 Thomas
580 TJ
581 Francisco
504 Ron
514 Matt
516 Eric
Exercise 1
Instructions. Given the following DM names and Salesperson names, indicate the appropriate route number.
See the companion website’s “background” section for an audio recorded explanation of the correct answers.
District Manager
1. Dave Colander
2. John Sabella
3. Kimmie Warner
4. Mike Shannon
Salesperson
Matt
Brian
Jamieson
Camie
4
Route #
Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Review of “Banner Request Form.” A “Banner Request Form” is a document specific to CBC;
however, you need to know what to create no matter where you are creating a sign in the future. For the
purpose of this training, we will be using the “Banner Request Form” currently in use at CBC. Please see
below for the “Banner Request Form.” Notice the form is labeled with detailed information.
Date of sign request
submission
Salesperson name or
designated route
number
The number of signs
being requested on this
sheet
Name of the
account for which
this sign is
designated
Size of the sign:
Choose one of the
standard sizes or indicate
in “Other Size” which
size signs to create. All
signs should be written in
inches.
Only use this box
when requesting
cooler stickers and
shelf tags.
Standard sizes are
indicated to the left
of this box.
Paper Type:
Use “Plain Paper” for standard,
short term signs;
Use “Adhesive” for cooler stickers
or tap handles;
Use “Banner Material” for long
term banners or outside events.
Indicate if a sign should be
laminated (only available if paper
type is “Plain Paper”); and if the sign
should have grommets (only
available for “Banner Material” and
“Plain Paper” signs laminated and
not laminated)
General rules, guidelines,
and “things to remember”
for creating signs.
Use this box to describe what should
be on the sign: pricing information,
logo information, type of item (case,
bottles, drafts, cans, keg, etc.), color
scheme if specifics are needed, and
any extras like “hot buy” or holiday
theme.
Exercise 2
Instructions. After familiarizing yourself with the “Banner Request Form” and the details of the document, complete
the exercises on pages 5 and 6. You will be given two scenarios and two blank “Banner Request Forms,” one
accompanying each scenario. Fill out the information on the provided forms using the details from the scenarios.
See the companion website’s “background” section for a document containing the correct answers.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Scenario 1: On March 5, 2015, Jose indicated that he needs 4 signs that read “Old Style 24pk cans $13.99.” Include
a picture of the 24pk. He wants the price printed large and in the color red. Everything else is up to you to design. Two
of the signs should be 12x18 on plain paper, one should be 18x24 on plain paper, and one should be a cooler sticker.
None of these signs need to be laminated or need grommets. The signs will be going to Rainbow Liquor.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Scenario 2: On March 14, 2015, salesperson 518 requested ten 12inx18in signs on plain paper. These signs are for
a St.Paddy’s Day party at the Blarney Stone Pub in Oak Forest, IL. They do not need to be laminated and do not need
grommets. They should say “PBR Pints $2.50 – St.Paddy’s Day Special.” He wants you to add a leprechaun and make
the sign green themed. He also wants one 4ftx6ft banner that matches the previous signs (note, this is a short term sign
for an indoor event). He does not need the banner laminated but he would like grommets in the four corners.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini The Software
In addition to understanding the organization of CBC and the elements of a “Banner Request Form,” an
individual creating, printing, and documenting a sign at CBC should have a running knowledge of the
computer software needed to create and record a sign, the Roland Printer, and the paper being used.
1
2
3
4
1. FlexiSIGN. FlexiSIGN is the software used to design a sign at CBC. This training will give you basic
knoweldge on how to import media, design the sign (size, colors, elements, etc.), and export the sign to be
printed.
2. Roland VersaWorks. VersaWorks is software specific to Roland Printers. The Printer CBC uses is a
Roland Printer; therefore, it is necessary to use VersaWorks to print the signs created in this training. For
our training, we will be using VersaWorks to print signs in an .eps file format. We will be choosing printer
functions in this program to ensure that the process runs smoothly.
3. Microsoft Excel. Excel is used to record sign information for future use by management. The
management at CBC uses this information to charge accounts and suppliers for the signs created. In order
to have accurate information, it is important that all information about the sign is input into the appropriate
file. As of March 2015, the file is entitled “2015 SIGNS.” As of March 2015, the current pricing equation
is as follows:
Height of sign x Width of sign x Number of signs = Square footage x 1.75 = Cost of sign request
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini 4. Roland Printer. The Roland Printer is what will print your finished sign. The only thing necessary for
this training is to be aware of the basic menu panel on the printer. That menu panel is shown in the picture
below. Make note of the heater indicator light, and the power, function, enter, and down arrow buttons.
Function
Enter
Power
Down arrow
There are three types of paper being used: plain paper, banner material (vinyl) and adhesive vinyl. The
printer is never left loaded with paper. In this training, you will learn to load the printer with paper.
However, you will not learn to distinguish between the three types. This is prerequisite knowledge. See
below the images of the three paper types:
Plain Paper
Banner Material (Vinyl) with
Grommet
All of the paper types are 4ft in width. No sign can have a larger width than 4ft. Remember the following
when choosing which paper type to use:
•
•
•
Use “Plain Paper” for standard, short term signs;
Use “Adhesive” for cooler stickers or tap handles;
Use “Banner Material” for long term banners or outside events.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Exercise 3
Instructions. Match the item with the BEST description by drawing a line to connect the items. Example:
HOT BUY!
This word is red
HOT BUY!
This word is highlighted
See the companion website’s “computer info” section for an audio recorded explanation of the correct answers.
The important buttons are “power” and “function”
Roland VersaWorks
Roland
Printer
FlexiSIGN
Banner Material
(Vinyl) with
Grommet
Microsoft Excel
Plain Paper
Use this software to calculate the cost of a sign.
Use this for standard, short term signs.
Use this program to choose printer functions so that
the printing process runs smoothly.
Use this for cooler stickers or tap handles.
Use this for long term banners and outside events.
Use this software to design the sign at CBC.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Basic Computer Operations
In addition to having knowledge of the organization of CBC sales teams, the components of a “Banner
Request Form,” and information about the software, printer, and media used at CBC, a person creating a
sign at CBC should have knowledge of some basic computer operations. The individual should be able to
open/close specified software and files, save and export files, import an image from file, search for images
on the web, and copy and paste web images.
In order to gain a basic understanding and working knowledge of these processes, please access the five
videos on the companion website in the “computer info” section:
•
Open/Close Software and Files
•
Save and Export Files
•
Import and Image from File
•
Search for Images on the Web
•
Copy and Paste Web Images
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Exercise 4
Instructions. Now that you have viewed the videos on the companion website for this training, please choose the
BEST answer to the following questions. See companion website’s “computer info” section for an audio recorded overview
of the correct answers.
1. According to the video “Open/Close Software and Files,” how would you open FlexiSign?
A. Right click the icon for the program.
B. Find the program on the toolbar.
C. Double left-click the icon for the program.
D. Left-click the icon for the program while pressing shift on the keyboard.
2. According to the video “Save and Export Files,” to save a new version of a previously saved file in
FlexiSign while not overwriting the previous file, what option in the dropdown “File” menu would you
select?
A. Save
B. Export
C. New
D. Save as
3. According the video “Import an Image from File,” what icon would you select to import a logo into
FlexiSign?
A.
B.
C.
D.
4. According to the video “Search for Images on the Web,” what size images from the web are the best to
use?
A. Nothing under 500 pixels
B. Nothing under 1000 pixels
C. Square images 4inx4in
D. 1000x1000 pixels
5. According to the video “Copy and Paste Images from the Web,” what option from the “Edit” drop down
menu in FlexiSign should you use to paste an image after you have copied it from the web?
A. Paste Over
B. Paste Special
C. Insert New Object
D. Paste
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Main Lesson
Now that you clearly understand the organization of CBC, can identify and fill in the elements of a “Banner
Request Form,” have knowledge of the basic computer operations used in this training, and know a little bit
about the software, media, and other technology used in this training, you can now learn about the steps
required to design, print, and record information about a sign at CBC.
Six Steps to Sign Making & Documentation:
STEP
ACTION
1
Design a Sign
Using FlexiSIGN
EXAMPLE
Open FlexiSIGN software and create the sign using program functions. Save
the sign to be edited in the future and export the sign in .eps format to be
compatible to print in VersaWorks.
See Camtasia video on companion website going through steps
using the “Banner Request Form” in Appendix 1.
Exercise 5: Create a sign using “Banner Request Form” (See
Appendix 2) and export file to be used later in the training.
Feedback: See companion website for an example of how the sign
created in the Exercise should look.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini 2
Prepare Roland
Printer for
Printing
Turn on the printer and load the appropriate paper. Secure clamps on the
printer to set up, allow printer to heat, and turn on fan to dry ink.
See companion website (Appendix 3) for a job aid showing the
steps involved in preparing the Roland printer for printing.
Exercise 6: From among the four images on page 15 of the
workbook, distinguish the one image that shows a printer that is
properly prepared for printing.
Feedback: See companion website for video feedback explaining
answers in the exercise.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini PRINTER 1
PRINTER 2
PRINTER 3
PRINTER 4
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini 3
Preform Program
Functions in
VersaWorks to
Prepare Sign for
Printing
Open VersaWorks and import the sign to be printed. Choose appropriate
options to prepare the sign for printing.
See Camtasia video on companion website going through steps
using the sign created in the step 1 example.
Exercise 7: Go through the steps demonstrated in the video using
the sign created and exported in Exercise 5 found in step 1.
Feedback: See Camtasia video on companion website going
through the steps that should have been taken in the exercise.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini 4
Print the Sign
Using Roland
Printer
After you’ve sent the data to the printer from VersaWorks in step 3, you
must wait for the Roland Printer to print the sign. There’s nothing for you
to do in this step aside from just waiting for the sign to complete the current
print project.
5
Prepare the Sign
for Street Use
Cut the sign using Roland printer and scissors found in the sign room. Roll
the sign and wrap with rubber bands always available in the sign room. Label
the sign with salesperson route number and account name. Put the sign on
the appropriate DM shelf so the salesperson can find it.
See companion website or Appendix 4 for a job aid showing the
steps involved in preparing the sign for street use.
Exercise 8: See page 18 for the instructions and exercise.
Feedback: Listen to audio on companion website that explains
the correct answers from the exercise.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Exercise 8
Imagine that you have printed the sign you prepared for printing in Exercise 7. Using what you learned in the job aid
provided in step 5, number the steps below 1-6 in preparing the sign for street use with 1 being the first thing and 6
being the last thing you would do. Access the companion website for an audio explanation of the correct answers.
___ Catch freshly cut media before it hits the floor
___ Roll the sign and wrap with rubber bands
___ Cut the sign along the border
___ Put sign on appropriate DM shelf
___ Label sign with correct salesperson route number and account name
___ Select “sheet cut” under “function” menu on Roland Printer
Continue on to step six of the target lesson
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini 6
Record
Information in
Excel for Future
Use by
Management
Use Microsoft Excel to open the file “SIGNS 2015.” Conduct
program functions to record the sign just made for future use by
management.
See Camtasia video on companion website going
through steps using the “Banner Request Form” in the
step 1 example.
Exercise 9: Using what you learned in the Camtasia
video, record the information from the “Banner Request
Form” used in exercise 5 found in step 1.
Feedback: See Camtasia video on companion website
going through the steps that should have been taken in
the exercise.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Exercise 10
Instructions. Use the knowledge you gained in the training to create the signs indicated in the following banner
request form. Complete each step in its entirety. If you need to refer back to the target lesson, do so. If you need an
example of a sign similar to this one, refer to the “Exercise 10” page on the companion website or Appendix 5. If you
experience technical difficulties contact the CBC graphic designer at (708) 359-5780 or the head of the IT department
at (708) 344-6602 ext. 134. Leave your finished signs on the table in the sign room for the graphic designer to review.
April 3, 2015
Halina’s
Pub
518
2
APRIL Beer of the
Month
Bell’s Amber Ale
$4
bottles
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Summary
In this lesson you learned some basic information about the organization of CBC sales teams, the details of a
“Banner Request Form,” basic computer operations, and basic functions of the computer software and Roland
printer used at CBC. You also learned the six steps involved in sign making at CBC:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Design a sign using FlexiSIGN
Conduct basic Roland printer operations to prepare for printing
Preform program functions in VersaWorks to prepare sign for printing
Print the sign using Roland printer
Prepare the sign for street use
Record information in Excel for future use by management
Sign making is fun and easy for those with basic computer knowledge. If you are a salesperson at CBC, you
will now be able to create your own signs if the need arises. If you are a new hire in the sign department at
CBC you have gained knowledge of the functioning of CBC as a company and the different software and
programs used to make a sign. Finally, if you began this training with little-to-no computer knowledge, you
now have a basic understanding of computer operations, sign making, and computer software. No matter at
what level your prerequisite skills, you now can go forward and explore the infinite world of graphic design.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini APPENDIX I
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini 23
Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini APPENDIX II
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini 25
Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini APPENDIX III
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Prepare the Roland Printer for Printing
The purpose of this job aid is to provide you with the skills to prepare the Roland Printer at Central
Beverage Company for printing. The benefit of learning these skills is that you will be able to print a sign
on the printer.
If you have any questions about other operation of the printer or you run into trouble, please contact
Central Beverage’s graphic designer at (708) 359-5780 or the head of the IT department at (708) 344-6602
ext.134.
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the
parts of the printer.
Image 1
Image 1 shows the Roland Printer not
loaded with media and not ready to print.
Image 2 is a small part of the area in Image
1 indicated by a yellow square. The piece in
Image 2 is called an inside clamp.
Image 3 shows the back of the printer
where rolls of paper will be placed.
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4 is a larger representation of the
piece of Image 1 circled in Red. This is the
control panel on the printer. You will be
using the Function and Power button only.
Image 5 shows the outside clamp which is
circled in green in Image 1.
Image 4
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Image 5
Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Step 2: Turn the printer on.
Press the power button
The printer will automatically display the
message “NOW PROCESSING…” and will
take about 3 minutes to heat. You will know
it is heating when the indicator light under
the word “heater” is lit.
Allow the printer to heat.
When the screen on the control panel reads
“SETUP SHEET,” you are ready to move to
the next step.
Step 3: Load the printer with paper.
Move to the back of the printer. Choose the
appropiate media for printing based on the
“Banner Request Form” you are using: plain
paper, adhesive, or banner material (vinyl).
Place the paper on the back of the printer as
shown, so that paper rolls over the top and
not under. You should secure the black end
pieces by pushing hard.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Step 4: Secure the paper.
Pull the paper up into the printer and slide it
forward inside the printer. The printer
should then come out the front of the
printer. Pull it forward enough so that it
does not slide backward. See Images 1 and 2
for an illustration.
Image 1
Next, open the plastic saftety cover on the
front of the printer. Identify the inside
clamps. There should be 5. You can slide
these clamps to the left and right. Make sure
that the smaller blue bar attached to the
wheel of each clamp is placed somewhere
between the larger blue bar in its respective
section on the printer.
Finally, lower the outside clamp to secure
the inside clamps.
The screen on the printer’s control panel will
again automatically display a “NOW
PROCESSING” message until the setup is
complete.
Once set up is complete, the screen on the
printer’s control panel will automatically
display a width measurement, indicated by a
W and a number. The dimensions displayed
should not be smaller than 48 inches. If the
measurement is smaller, adjust your inside
clamps left and right to make the distance
between them greater.
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Image 2
Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Step 5: Turn on the fan and place in a
position off to the side but so the air flow
will directly hit the sign as it prints.
Though the printer is heated and drying the
ink as the sign prints, having the fan blow on
the sign will make it dry much faster.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini APPENDIX IV
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Prepare the Sign for Street Use
The purpose of this job aid is to provide you with the skills to prepare a sign for street use at Central
Beverage Company. The benefit of learning these skills is that you will understand basic printer operations
to cut the sign and the information needed to indicate where the sign is going.
If you have any questions about other operation of the printer or you run into trouble, please contact
Central Beverage’s graphic designer at (708) 359-5780 or the head of the IT department at (708) 344-6602
ext.134.
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the
parts of the printer.
We will be using the control panel section
only. We will be using the screen on the
control panel, Function button, Down
Arrow button, and Enter button. The
buttons are circled in red.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Step 2: Select the Sheet Cut function on
the printer control panel.
Press the Function button once.
Press the Down Arrow button two times
until the Sheet Cut function appears on the
screen.
Press the Enter button once.
The screen should read “SHEET
CUTTING…” and you should hear the knife
on the printer cutting the sheet if you
preformed these functions correctly.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Step 3: Catch the freshly cut sheet before it
hits the floor. This is important, especially if
the ink is still damp.
Step 4: Cut the sign along the sign’s
borders using scissors available in the sign
room.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Step 5: Roll the cut sign and wrap with
rubber bands always available in the sign
room.
Step 6: Using a pen or marker, write the
information on the rolled sign that is vital for
the salesperson to identify the sign.
You should include the salesperson route
number and the account name, both obtained
from the “Banner Request Form.”
For this example, the sign is going to an
account manager. So the sales person
number is 520 and the manager of this
account is Kevin Williams.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini Step 7: Place sign on correct DM shelf
based on the system set up at Central
Beverage Company.
Shelves are divided by district. For the
example of salesperson 520’s sign, the sign
would be placed on John Aranki’s shelf.
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini APPENDIX V
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Sign Making & Documentation Copyright © 2015 Christina Carrarini 38