Taco 'bout an awesome print. 2 color Taco Tuesdays
Posted Dec 12, 2012, 9:13 PM UTC
1213
20% dot gain?
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The black was ran through a 158 so that the main text would be solid. I processed the halftones at a frequency of 36 at 300 dpi and overcompensated on levels/dot size somewhere in the range of 30-40% since the mesh was so low.
I ran these manually otherwise I'd of done a bit tighter dots and done the black on a 196 on the auto. I leave myself a lot more wiggle room when I plan to print them by hand. I hate how hard it can be to clear a high-mesh screen sometimes.
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When you do compensation for low mesh, what software process or function in what software do you use? I feel like my method is a bit wack
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I'm just converting my files to bitmap in photoshop and then setting them up as a halftone screen. I don't trust RIP software after doing it myself this way for so long. The auto calibrations for dot gain can sometimes leave you with dots that are too small.
When I talk about 30-40%, I mean the reduction in % of opacity before processing halftones with the perceived correct tone on the computer monitor being the starting point, and white being the other end.
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Yeah that's how I do it. I was always tempted by automated RIP systems and I guess that's really the question I was asking but I've never used one so I guess I should quit worrying about it. You aren't the first person to tell me not to trust em.
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Maybe a silly question but, 2 color? I see 3!
A halftone of black and golden-yellow actually looks like a brown-ish/green color and was perfect for the taco filling. Black prints over the yellow.
If you've ever tried to darken yellow ink with black you'll notice the "fun" shades it turns. Same thing.
you are a brilliant sonofabitch
One of the small joys that I have in life is printing one less color than I have to with the same effect, all thanks to a little art prep.
I love to print, and I am looking for other printers to learn more from and print with, you wouldn't happen to live in southern california would you?
That would bring me joy as well. I haven't ventured beyond plain ol' spot color yet. Very excited to make a new kind of mess.
Wow, good job!