Mar

16

Ink Jets Versus Printing Press- Reality Check

Filed Under Digital Imaging, Herbiology, Illusions, Images in Print


I’m writing a book  called “Correct Color” for a major publisher. It is a guide to achieving accurate color in printed digital images. In the process of “due-ing the diligence” thing and researching existing published materials for the project I read a significant number of other peoples’ books on similar topics. 

While I always learn new things from these works, It never ceases to amaze (and amuse) me just how many of the Photoshop/Camera Raw/Lightroom books contain the same apology for their printed illustrations. The typical disclaimer goes something like this… “I will enlarge this part of the image 200% to let you see the adjustment detail we are making because at actual print size, the adjustment won’t show in print.”

“Hello!! Is anybody listening to this silliness?

If the particular adjustment procedure being taught cannot be seen in print without being enlarged to an overtly-extreme level, then is that adjustment actually meaningful? Is it necessary to enlarge the view to such an enormous level to see an adjustment being made? Does the adjustment need to be made if the results can’t be seen in print? (rhetorical question)

If we can’t see it in print then perhaps the adjustment is overkill. While it may be true that high-level ink jet printers can reproduce and delineate more detail than can a printing presses (running reasonably-high lpi screens), it would seem reasonable that those books teaching minute ink-jet-only adjustments should be produced on the same inkjet printers for which the adjustments apply. More accurate assertion: since the overwhelming majority of all images are printed on real printing presses, perhaps more press-related image-adjustment issues should be taught in these books. Then the illustrations could be produced in real-time (100%) size and deliver their message with great applicability and validity. What a concept!

Think about it!

©copyright 2008 Herb Paynter

http://www.imageprep.net 

 

Comments

3 Responses to “Ink Jets Versus Printing Press- Reality Check”

  1. Demokrit on March 22nd, 2008 10:29 pm

    I have been told that the color gamut of a typical printing press is smaller (or at least a smaller one is chosen) than that of an ink jet printer and that the colors are often not correct; spectrophotometer controlled color profiling, similar to what is used with computer monitors or ink jet printers is supposedly rarely done.

    This means, details that are easily visible on an ink jet print may be completely invisible in a printed book.

    Cheers,

    Achim

  2. birdbrain on March 31st, 2008 7:14 am

    It is unfortunately true that the printing press prints a gamut smaller than the ink jet does. This is largely because of the matrix of the halftone dots used and the limited four colors of inks involved. Further, it is because of a lack of involvement in, and a appreciation for, the profiling sciences that are routinely used by the more sophisticated ink jet users who routinely have their papers and inks profiled for accuracy.

    Unfortunately, these printing companies have not been invited to the techno-party and therefor actually don’t appreciate the potential that is available to them that would increase not only their participation in this technology, but improve the quality of the product that comes off their presses.

  3. russpears on April 17th, 2008 3:07 pm

    What kind of decision making is used in choosing the paper for a project and how best can you gain familiarity with them?

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