tip one
Pick the right pictures
Choose images with clearly defined shadows and midtones. Those are the places where dot gain can cause illustrations to “plug up.”
tip two
Disconnect the dots
If you’re working with furnished images that have heavy shadows or midtones, talk to your printer about “opening up” the dense areas by reducing the dot size in the separations. A good rule of thumb: Reduce dot size in highlights by 5%, in midtones by 25%, and in shadows by 15%.
tip three
Enhance your profiles
Literally hundreds of SWOP® color balance formulas have been designed to address various combinations of papers, inks and printing methods. Adjust your digital files to compensate for paper tint and finish.
tip four
Navigate the curves
By using the “Curves” tools available in most photo software, you can visually adjust an image file to open up shadows, midtones and highlights.
tip five
Get in line (screen), and (dot) shape up
Choose a line screen that provides good coverage without over-saturating the page. Then talk with your printer about the dot shape that works best for your job. Square dots hold fine detail. Elliptical dots produce better tonal gradations. And round dots are best for web printing or other situations where dot gain is harder to manage.
tip six
The underlaying truth
You can use an underlay of opaque ink to “seal” an uncoated sheet and reduce dot gain.
tip seven
Be dense
On uncoated paper, higher ink density means more detail. Too much ink, however, can cause images to “plug up.” A smooth, well-formed uncoated Domtar paper “holds out” details, resists dot gain and allows a thicker ink film for richer colors.
tip eight
Complete coverage
There are a number of ways to get rich, deep color and images on uncoated paper. Try double bumps of solids. Consider “rich blacks” — made from CMYK colors or other combinations of two or more colors. And use a dull varnish to smooth over dense areas.
tip nine
Watch your dryback
Inks look different as they dry — so the image you approve on press might not seem the same once the job delivers. This is especially true on more absorbent uncoated sheets. The key is to adjust your image files for ink density during prepress, then work with your printer to allow for variables during printing.