SCREENING ALTERNATIVES -- Screen Out the Competition

Due to the increase in tone values exhibited in the stochastic samples, print contrast was lowered by 6 to 16 percent, on average, the study found. However, measurements of print contrast on hybrid samples came out comparable to the conventional screen samples.

Anticipating the impact of stochastic screening on tone value and print contrast, some manufacturers attempted to compensate by taking weight out of the plates, the researchers point out. They recommend users perform a linear press run of the stochastic screened work and feed the print characteristics back to prepress in order to properly separate the images.