murray_coppold

I know printing type as a screen of a color is a bad idea. However, we receive client files where this is done, and have to deal with it.

For single-color screen type, I remember reading somewhere that one should avoid a screen of exactly 50%, and use say 40% or 60% instead. Something to do with the raster dot distribution.

Does anyone know about this -- whether it is true or not?

Thanks for any help.

jeffrey_smith

The issue with a 50% tint is that the pattern of dots are made of equal amounts of negative and positive space, giving the impression of a checkerboard. This could have produced an undesirable effect from an older imagesetter (Like a Linotronic) but more modern platesetter/imagesetter along with the component that does the screening makes an adjustment on the shape of the 50% dot to avoid this problem.

murray_coppold

Ahh, so that's it. Thanks for the info.