Creating High-End Halftone Screens

At Graph Expo 2004, stand 5062, GMG is to introduce its One-Bit-Creator feature for GMG Dotproof and GMG Flexoproof.

At Graph Expo 2004, stand 5062, GMG is to introduce its One-Bit-Creator feature for GMG Dotproof and GMG Flexoproof.

The new feature is said to allow users to create high-end halftone screens.

Utilising a screening algorithm and library commensurate with the quality of high resolution CTP RIPs, users can precisely see the degradation induced by screening the image - before it goes on press.

A number of printers use Dotproof to replicate the exact dot structure of their platesetter by importing and proofing one-bit TIFF files from platesetter RIPs.

However, there are many users, such as advertising agencies, design firms, publishers and other creative organisations that do not own a RIP or workflow system, but still require a true representation of how a final printed piece will look - complete with an image setter's screening structure with colour rosettes.

Until now, they have been relying on contone proofs from their digital printers.

Now, with One-Bit-Creator, such firms will be able to create and proof one-bit screen data from their files.

"There are a lot of potential problems that can be discovered with a proof that closely resembles the result on press.

Moir?s caused by interference of designs in fashion shots, or from Photoshop filters are good examples.

Also, trapping problems can be identified at an early stage at the agency," commented Robert Weihing, GMG's chief executive officer.

With One-Bit-Creator, companies can offer dot proofs to their clients or create mock-ups of packages with high quality halftone dot structures - thus providing the customer a better idea of the final product, he added.

A customer can also preview the effects of different halftone screening on the final creative product.

For example, the same advertisement might look different on newsprint than in a high quality magazine.

It is claimed that users can select from a number of pre-defined screen values, including screen frequencies up to 200 lines per inch (lpi), screen angle and dot shape, from a pull down menu.

Because the files created by One-Bit-Creator are optimised for digital printers, they are not appropriate for imaging films or plates.

It is expected to be available in Dotproof and Flexoproof by December 2004, as part of a new feature set.

Users who own GMG software maintenance contracts will receive the upgrade automatically.

Users of older versions can purchase an upgrade.

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