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CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Certification Examination Objectives


CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Objectives
1 of 13
Copyright �2007 by the Computing Technology Industry Association. All rights reserved.
The CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Objectives are subject to change without notice.
CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+)
Certification Examination Objectives

December 2007

INTRODUCTION
The CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) certification is a vendor neutral credential
that certifies that an individual has the required knowledge and skills of the core operations of
printing and document imaging devices.

The CompTIA PDI+ certification is aimed at the entry-level technician or support person involved
with printer, copier, scanner, fax and multi-function peripherals. The successful candidate will
provide installation, connectivity, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair services using
professional communication skills while supporting printing and document imaging devices.

The individual that receives the CompTIA PDI+ certification validates that he/she has:


The ability to resolve most printing and scanning problems

The ability to perform installation, repairs and maintenance but may require
troubleshooting / diagnosis assistance from higher level technical support

An adequate level of communication and professional skills

Some ability to diagnose connectivity related problems

CompTIA PDI+ serves as a solid foundation for entry into a career involving the service and
support of printing and document imaging devices. It also provides a stepping-stone towards
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) training for authorization on specific devices.

The table below lists the domain areas measured by this examination and the approximate extent
to which they are represented in the examination:

Domain
% of Examination
1.0 Print Engine Process and Components
21%
2.0 Scan Process and Components
10%
3.0 General Troubleshooting
23%
4.0 Basic Electromechanical Components and Tools
13%
5.0 Connectivity
11%
6.0 Color Theory
8%
7.0 Professionalism and Communication
8%
8.0 Safety and Environment
6%
Total
100%

The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from an industry-wide Job Task Analysis
(JTA) and were validated through a global survey in Q2, 2007. The results of this survey were used to validate
the content of the domains and objectives and the overall domain weightings, ensuring the relative importance
of the content.



CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Objectives
2 of 13
Copyright �2007 by the Computing Technology Industry Association. All rights reserved.
The CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Objectives are subject to change without notice.
1.0 Print Engine Process and Components

1.1 Define, describe and demonstrate an understanding of the following
commonly used printing processes:

Identify and describe basic steps of laser / LED printing
o
Photoconductor preparation, charging, writing, developing,
transferring, fusing
Photoconductor preparation

Removal of residual toner by cleaning blade, brush or
roller

Removal of residual charge by light or electrical charge
Charging

Supply uniform charge to the photoconductor surface by
charge corona or charge roller
Writing

Laser or LED creates a latent image by discharging the
appropriate areas of the photoconductor
Developing

Toner is attracted to the latent image
Transferring

Toner is transferred from the photoconductor to the media
by using electrostatic charges
Fusing

Toner is fixed/fused to the media with heat and pressure

Identify and describe basic steps of Ink dispersion printing
o
Purging, ink delivery, image application to media
Purging

Cleaning the heads and nozzles
Ink delivery

Ink is moved from reservoir to print head

Unidirectional and Bi-directional printing
Image application to media

Ink is delivered through the nozzles (print head) directly to
media via heat/charge

1.2 Identify and describe print process components and their functions

Laser or LED image formation components
o
Photoconductor
o
Laser Unit (beam detector, polygon mirror / motor, laser diode, toner
shield) or LED unit
o
Developer Unit (toner supply, mono component, vs. dual
component)
o
Charge assembly
o
Cleaning Unit (residual toner removal)
o
High Voltage Power Supply
o
Low Voltage Power Supply
o
Transfer / separation

Device fuser components
o
Heat roller / belt, pressure roller, lamps / heaters, thermistor, fuser
cleaning components, pawls, thermal protection

Ink dispersion image formation components
o
Print head, IDS (ink delivery system), carriage, carriage belt, ink
supply, purge unit, absorption pads.

Media transport/feed components


CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Objectives
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Copyright �2007 by the Computing Technology Industry Association. All rights reserved.
The CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Objectives are subject to change without notice.
o
Pickup roller, feed roller, separate roller/pad, torque limiter, transport
rollers, registration assembly, sensors, media guides, exit rollers,
gates/diverters/deflectors, static brushes

Ventilation components
o
Fans, ozone filters, dust filters, ducts

Accessories
o
Finishers, sorters, large capacity paper source, document feeders,
stapler, duplexers, punch units, folders cutters, binders, stackers,
inserter.

1.3 Describe the purpose of firmware

1.4 Identify and describe print data flow and job processing

Demonstrate awareness of the interaction between software application,
driver, printer control languages, raster image processing, printing and image
creation.

Identify the impact of memory on the printer

1.5 Identify media types and explain their impact on print process, quality and
device performance

Use appropriate media types based on device specifications

Identify and recognize paper weights, sizes and standards

Identify and recognize paper textures, brightness, grain, coatings

Identify and recognize other media types (ie: transparencies, envelopes,
labels, card stock, raised letterhead, recycled paper)

Describe adverse affects of improper media storage on device performance

2.0 Scan Process and Components

2.1 Identify and describe common hardware scanner components

Lamps, mirrors, CCD, CIS, CMOS, lens, glass, analog to digital converter,
color filters.

Differentiate between ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and flatbed
component

2.2 Describe and summarize image capture in relation to scanning technologies

Identify and describe common scanner technologies such as TWAIN and
network scanning methods

Identify the effects of using different image formats (ie: PDF, JPG, GIF, TIFF)
o
Impact on file size, quality, scan time, network bandwidth, storage,
resolution, color, depth, reduction, enlargement, compression

Define the image capture process
o
Light exposure, reflection, focus, filter, capture (CCD), Analog to
Digital conversion, image processing.

Recognize the reasons for and potential impact of security and anti-
counterfeiting features










CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Objectives
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Copyright �2007 by the Computing Technology Industry Association. All rights reserved.
The CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (PDI+) Objectives are subject to change without notice.
3.0 General Troubleshooting

3.1 Describe and apply general troubleshooting methodology

Observation gather information and validate the symptoms

Establish theory of probable cause based on information gathered
o
Attempt to isolate the problem by eliminating non-causes
o
Use tools and service documentation as needed

Test or Analyze try to recreate the problem and validate theory

Once theory is validated, determine next steps to resolve the problem

Implement solution, validate solution and document actions and results

3.2 Identify and isolate printing hardware issues using available tools

Image quality issues
o
Dark images, light images, weak images, repetitive image defects,
ghosting, smearing, banding, focus, shadows, voided areas, jitters,
registration issues, skew, misaligned color registration, weak color,
missing color, vertical and horizontal black/white lines, black pages,
blank pages, incorrect consumables

Causes of image quality issues
o
Fuser, charging components, laser/LED component, developer
assembly, consumables, photoconductor, print head, drive
components, media transport/feed system, environment

Transport/feed issues
o
Media jamming, skewing, creasing, wrinkling, folding, tearing,
multifeeding, burning, misfeeding

Causes of c