Prepressforums.com

Lammy · #11 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 05:17 AM

A quad tone has more potential to show more detail in the 1/4 tone of an image over a duo tone depending on what colors are used and how. This is typically why you may see 4 color "halftones" on certain jobs over just black and whites. Most duotones that are two pms colors suffer from a decent 3/4 to shadow weight. Adding a 3rd or 4th color can help to punch up what we want to see as black shadows in that case.

If built properly with total ink in mind for the press and stock no multicolor image should be an issue for press. At times it's nice to let the pressman have more "color" to play with also. Much easier to change the balance on a quadtone than a halftone.

Techboy · #12 (**permalink**) 07-27-2007, 01:55 PM

Hi All,
I should haver remember to ask this question before... Does duotone/tri/quad images create problems on press or is it a none issue with current PDF workflow systems?

Thank you.

RedOak · #13 (**permalink**) 07-30-2007, 01:34 PM

It shouldnt be an issue... You just have to know how to set the screen angles.

I did a tritone a while back that had an underlying silver that was probably one of the coolest print jobs I have designed and printed. It was on a crazy paper as well. We laid down the silver first then came back about a week later to print the rest. Then it was embossed after all of that.

But again... When you put a prepress guy to designing something... He'll test those pressmen....

LoganBlade · #14 (**permalink**) 07-30-2007, 05:59 PM

In school I seen a black and white image done with qud tone in shades of Black and grays. It was a very rich looking black when done but maintained great detail. it has its purposes but they must know what the end results are going to be. so odds are good if a tipical designer they sholuldn't be even thinking about quad...

Piggyman5 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-08-2007, 10:07 AM

Best looking B&W photos I've seen were printed in 4C. May not have more detail but with curves you gan get greater range.

rejamesuk · #16 (**permalink**) 08-08-2007, 11:05 AM

Do you think they may have chosen it for a reason or just for the sake of it?

If they've chosen it for a reason, ie. shaddow one colour, midtones another, highlights another......... then print it as is. Check the curves.

If it just looks like they haven't a clue and you think you can get just as good with a duo... then do that too.

Personally i'd just ask them exactly what they're after.