Line screen vs. Stochastic (Staccato)

[mlarsen]

The company I work for is considering going back to line screen after using Staccato for ten years. we use a 36μm dot on the web press and a 20μm on the sheetfed. Reasoning behind this is mostly quality, main concerns being: color consistency, registration, color quality, grainyness in the black screen. So- in everyones opinion, what would you recommend and why?

[andyfest]

We tested stochastic (hybrid & FM) when we were installing our CTP line about 14 years ago. I never liked the soft"dithered" look of some of the images. We use a fine (200 lpi) AM Euclidean dot screen. Maybe considered old-fashioned these days but it still works really well. Our sister company has been using a Prinergy Staccato hybrid screen for years though and they seem to like it. They have had some issues matching client-supplied proofs that use AM screens, an issue that we don't have. We have had to print a couple of those jobs for them as they couldn't match the supplied proof.

[mattbeals]

200 LPI Euclidean is a very good choice, but I like staccato. Once your setup for it and the process is consistent I don't see a reason to change. In my opinion there'd have to be a compelling business reason to switch.

[Farabomb]

We're running 175 with a round dot.

The boss was talking about getting this neat new thing called film...

[Joe]

We're running 175 with a round dot.

The boss was talking about getting this neat new thing called film...

It is making a comeback...for cameras.

[David]

200 line Euclidean is the best way  (highlight round dot - square dot @ 50 - shadow round dot).
Most people don't like the "noise" associated with the stochastic dot.

[born2print]

I like our Stacatto (10 micron) but just for jobs that benefit from it, like super fine details. Also very handy for color separations with more than 4 colors! Like touch plates.
But we mostly run 175 and 150 eliptical, occasional 200.
HTH

[Ear]

175 line elliptical here too, on the sheet and heat... 100 line golf-ball dots on our news. 

I would like to try FM dot for the newspaper web. I feel like the higher end stuff is good with high-line halftone dot but a lower quality news web might benefit from a 30ish micron FM, but maybe not?

[Joe]

175 line elliptical here too, on the sheet and heat... 100 line golf-ball dots on our news.

I would like to try FM dot for the newspaper web. I feel like the higher end stuff is good with high-line halftone dot but a lower quality news web might benefit from a 30ish micron FM, but maybe not?

Our owners have wanted to try it for years for our newsprint. Until they hear the cost of the license. They keep asking about it all the time though. The price keeps getting higher each time.

[Ear]

   Yep, same here. You mean stuff costesses money? 

[Joe]

  Yep, same here. You mean stuff costesses money? 

 

If it was a new bass boat there wouldn't be any hesitation at all about the money!

 

[frailer]

  Yep, same here. You mean stuff costesses money? 

 

If it was a new bass boat there wouldn't be any hesitation at all about the money!

 

They are the same world over, ya?

[Diddler]

I have calibrations set up for 133, 150, 175 & 200 line depending on the job (or sales rep).  90% of job would run at 175.
Funny how they never know the difference. 

[Farabomb]

Just like the one that insisted I needed to run his custom trap settings for all his metallic jobs. I even heard him brag about it on a customer okay.

It was processed like every other spot color job, nothing special at all...

[born2print]

Just like the one that insisted I needed to run his custom trap settings for all his metallic jobs. I even heard him brag about it on a customer okay.

It was processed like every other spot color job, nothing special at all...

Interesting, we have custom trapping for metallic
(KO and trap black and all traps at 1/2 normal width)