dot range compensation vs. profiles

JJ
Posted By
Jussi_Jokinen
Jan 18, 2004
Views
379
Replies
5
Status
Closed
Hi!

A question that has puzzled me for a while:
A general rule for adjusting images for print is to compensate them according to printers dot range: if dot range is for example 5-95 (minimum and maximum printing dot in that specific process), an image should be compensated to produce dot all over the printed image. That is achieved by lowering contrast (in this case by moving images white and black point by 5 %).

A number of tutorials and books tell us this. (Or this is as I have understood it…)

But what is the relationship between profiled (eg. Euroscale coated v2) RGB 2 CMYK conversion and dot range compensation?? Does a particular profile take care of compensation or should it be done anycase? I mean, a profile is a description of printing process’ characteristics..

I’d preciate your views.
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CC
Chris_Cox
Jan 30, 2004
The printer profile will include whatever dot compensation is necessary. The user shouldn’t have to worry about details like that.
Y
YrbkMgr
Jan 30, 2004
As Chris alludes, dot gain is a function of each individual printer. The mfrs know how much (or should) a dot spreads when it lays down ink. One of the variables is the choice of media upon which you print. For example, with Epson printers, the choice of Photo Glossy Paper, Photo Glossy Film, or Plain paper, dictates the amount of ink that is laid out to compensate for dot gain, on that media.

Some folks (myself included) find that some Epson printers print too dark on a particular medium. Changing my media from Photo Glossy Paper to Photo Glossy Film produces a better result. Your mileage may vary.

But as Chris also said, you shouldn’t have to worry about it.

Peace,
Tony
B
BLUDVLZ
Jan 30, 2004
Unless your printer is like our local newspaper and lays down the black ink twice, thereby giving a huge dot gain that is pretty insurmountable…
J
JasonSmith
Jan 30, 2004
"The mfrs know how much (or should) a dot spreads when it lays down ink."

The profile knows that too.
Y
YrbkMgr
Jan 30, 2004
The profile knows that too.

True, I neglected to point that out.

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