Re: Image sharpening vs. plate sharpening -- Was: Scanning oldpostcard for use on book cover

[Arthur Entlich <artistic-1@xxxxxxx>]

Fair enough.  Your explanation goes into some detail that I was not 
fully aware of, and it is quite interesting.

   I guess I would still suggest people who are scanning work for 
publication speak to their pre-press or press people prior to submitting 
files, to make sure that there won't be too many surprises.  There are 
so many printing methods in use now, that file treatment prior to 
submission may alter the results in unexpected ways.

Printers don't have an easy job interpreting files when they are 
submitted from often uncalibrated systems, and various programs.  And, 
quite honestly, even under the best of circumstances, so much 
translation is done during the offset or other printing process that 
some of it seems like good fortune and alchemy.

Art


Preston Earle wrote:

> 
> I don't mean to quibble about semantics and would let this subject go,
> except for the impression that you have left that printers can "sharpen"
> images in the platemaking process.
> 
> I believe you are confusing two different concepts which use the same
> word. Image sharpening (aka USM) is the enhancement of apparent image
> sharpness by increasing edge contrast within the image. Plate
> sharpening, OTOH, refers to dots on one plate being "sharper" than dots
> on another plate and thus (usually) printing lighter. Typically, plates
> made by CTP processes are "sharper" than "conventional" plates made from
> imaged film. In order for the CTP plates to match the conventional
> plates, the mid-tone dot sizes are adjusted in the CTP plate-imaging RIP
> to give the same print densities as the film-based dots. This has
> nothing to do with image sharpening.
> 
> Printers generally endeavor to duplicate the files they are given. If a
> printer has a long-standing relationship with a particular customer, the
> printer may "improve" furnished files by color-correcting or enhancing
> sharpness. Absent other instructions, the printer is generally going to
> give the customer just what is in the files. The files should be
> properly sharpened before submission to the printer.
> 
> I'm not a pressman (and despise the nickname "Press"<G>). I have owned a
> very nice printing company, including an Indigo press, but that is
> another story.
> 
> Preston Earle
> PEarle@triad.rr.com
> 


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