Re: Laser half tone negs.

Luis Nadeau (nadeaul@nbnet.nb.ca)
Wed, 26 Jul 1995 14:28:53 -0300

>I once aquired samples of output (type and graphics) from different
>lazer printers in order to determine which one was sharpest (we needed
>to make line copies and then photo-composite to negs for murals). One
>company sold an 800 dpi model and one a 1200 dpi model, yet none were
>any sharper than the 600 dpi models. The partical size of the dyes
>which were fused to the page by the lazer printer were pretty
>consistent across the brands. Therefore the sharpness did not increase
>with the printers ability to create smaller dots. All dots had the same
>raggedness to them when viewed with a loop. As a matter of fact the
>smaller (800 dpi and 1200 dpi) dots showed off the raggedness more than
>the 600 dpi did. It should be noted that the 600 dpi was far and away
>of much better quality than the 300 dpi.

I have also noticed on numerous occasions that lower resolution machines
provide better results. The reasons are many. Some claim that it is because
of their resolution enhancement technology where for instance, the shape of
dots can be varied. The type of technology makes a big difference too. Most
dye sub printers only use 300 dpi, but the quality is superb. Too bad they
don't last.

A recent issue of _MacWeek_ had an actual specimen of Apple's newest color
laser printer (600 dpi). Their specimen was tipped in directly above an
offset reproduction of HP's output. The quality of Apple's specimen is
stunning. It's about one step away from chromogenic materials. Laser
printing has the possibility of being archival, although I don't know about
the set of pigments Apple uses.

Luis Nadeau
NADEAUL@NBNET.NB.CA
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

>--
>Guy Manning
>grhen@ix.netcom.com