Craftsmanship Operating Procedures

Craftsman Operating Procedures (COPs)

Through the auspices of the PCA Craftsmanship Forum, PCA now offers Craftsmanship Operating Procedures (COPS) – English & Spanish.

COPS are designed to assist contractor/owners with their need for a uniform quality assurance program, documentation of the means and methods to conduct work, and employee training. The COPS are not designed to teach people how to paint. Instead, COPS enable the contractor to guide employees on the expectations, procedures, and outcomes for all paintwork.

The COPS also serve as baseline for proper application of paint on surfaces in a safe, craftsmanship fashion. Using the COPS, contractors can easily define how work will be completed by all employees. This approach creates continuity, consistency from job to job, and helps establish an image for the company work as defined by the owner.

Each COP is completely customizable. In other words, a contractor can adjust any aspect of the COP to fit company culture, employee skill level(s), and desired techniques (means and methods) of work performance within the company.

When COPS are taken as a “whole,” they become the “persona” for the work of the company. Individually, COPS are instructional guides for employees.

COPS are the work product of the PCA Craftsmanship Forum.

Craftsmanship Operating Procedure Documents and Order Forms

COP Order Form

Download COP order form

English Interior COP Index (pdf)
English Exterior COP Index (pdf)

Spanish Interior COP Index (pdf)

Spanish Exterior COP Index  (pdf)

Free Resources

Session Attendance Record

Employee Training Record

COP-Training-Checklist-1-15-10

COP-Training-Guide-Revised-1-15-10

Sample COP & Tests

COP Test – 6 Panel Door (Closed Book)

COP Test – 6 Panel Door (Short Format)

Painting a 6 Panel Door With Waterborne Enamel