Printing with Halftones – 3 Part Series

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Printing with Halftones – 3 Part Series

This month I will discuss Flemenco simulated process.  Next month subject will be be Stochastic, FM (Frequency Modulation) process. This series started last month with the discussion of 4 Color Process. If you missed it, please go back and read it. Let’s get started.

Just to review.

Halftone is the reprographic technique that simulates continuous tone imagery through the use of dots, varying either in size or in spacing, thus generating a gradient like effect. Halftoning is commonly used for printing color photo realistic pictures. However, you can create really cool halftone designs using just one color. It looks best if the design has a lot of detail and contrast. Other factors that affect your halftone is dpi (dots per inch) resolution, lpi (lines per inch) frequency, angle and dot shape (round, square or elliptical). I’ve discussed those in earlier blogs.

Flemenco Simulated Process

Flemenco halftones are outputted at a single angle, usually 22.5 degrees. This differs from 4 Color Process which outputs the halftones at 4 different angles, thus creating a rosette pattern.

PROS

Uses single angle at 22.5 degrees.

Reduces moire pattern.

Printing in the Flemenco style accepts up to 40% press gain without the loss of detail or the corruption of color. The reason is that there is a lot more room between each spot (halftone) allowing for the “physical” gain of the ink that eventually increases tonality and color.

Printing has a soft hand feel on the fabric.

Ink usage is low.

Ink color inventory is less.

Less varying number of screen meshes necessary.

Can use opaque ink spot colors.

Can use more or less that 4 colors.

CONS

Fabric can affect printing.

Screens must always be very taunt.

Screen prep is critical.

Shirt broads must be clean and smooth as to not affect print.

Prints best on smooth fabric.

Must have proper backer to print on dark shirts.

Sometimes needs more that 4 colors to reproduce image.

Testing and practice are necessary. Don’t be afraid to do both. You can print on color/dark fabrics using a backer. Again, a great artist, testing and practice come in handy.

Until next month , when we will discuss Stochastic, FM (Frequency Modulation) process.

Cora Kromer
cora@qdigitizing.com