Opening New Doors

Screening is another area that has changed dramatically. Using stochastic screens and a host of "conventional" dot structures, smoother vignettes and expanded tone range (down to 1 percent to 2 percent dots) can be produced.

"Packaging now has the technology to optimize image output for any printing conditions to a degree never thought possible," says Murray. "On the same plate or film, we can image a background pattern with stochastic screens at the equivalent of 100 lines per inch (lpi), and render the foreground photo subject at 150 lpi with a conventional circular dot." Murray is quick to point out that this kind of quality optimization requires diligent press characterization, and is only possible within a highly cooperative relationship between prepress and printing.