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screen printing => Screen Making => Topic started by: shirtshack on January 08, 2016, 09:03:30 AM

Title: How are you testing halftone detail?
Post by: shirtshack on January 08, 2016, 09:03:30 AM
On another post you will see I am testing EOM, but reading the forums I hear a lot of talk about resolution of half tone dot ect- Once I have finished with the EOM and tension I would like to try these tests to make sure my emulsion selection is good enough.

How would I go about testing this?
I use a epson 4800 with blackmax inks and Accurip software for my positives so I assume I need a good test file I can print, any body know where I can download one?
Title: Re: How are you testing halftone detail?
Post by: jvanick on January 08, 2016, 10:06:00 AM
I use a file that dottonedan created...

but this one works really nicely as well:

http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,8018.0.html (http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,8018.0.html)

to do this the 'right' way you may want a densitometer, however, you can certainly test with a file such as the above and eyeball until you get something that looks right from the 3%-95% range.  (if you can get a nice smooth transition through that range, you're doing better than most shops).

Title: Re: How are you testing halftone detail?
Post by: Underbase37 on January 08, 2016, 10:06:57 AM
I would start here.

http://www.kiwo.com/expo-check/

You want to find the best exposure time that works with your emulsion and exposure unit.

One you get that dialed in, if you want you can make a small bar at the bottom of each logo you burn that has a halftone going from %0-%100 or %5-%95.

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Title: Re: How are you testing halftone detail?
Post by: shirtshack on January 08, 2016, 12:08:57 PM
I have an Amex Exposure calculator which appears similar to the KIWO, also have a strip that should expose and wash out to the 7 mark so I should be accurate with my exposure.
Title: Re: How are you testing halftone detail?
Post by: jvanick on January 08, 2016, 12:10:53 PM
once your exposure times are dialed, then I like messing with the rip, dotgain settings, coating techniques and washout techniques to get the best screens possible.