Common Printing Problems with Design Elements

Common Printing Problems with Design Elements: Here is a list of some very common design elements which cause potential problems for most printers.

1. Use of "hairline" rules (¼ point or less).
2. Type smaller than 10 point.
3. Screen tints of less than 4 percent.
4. Gradations using single digit percentage screen builds.
5. Type overprinting tints of more than 30 percent.
6. Type reversing out of tints of less than 60 percent.
7. Use of the color "registration black".

1. Hairline Rules - Defined as a rule of less than ¼ point, hairline rules will appear heavier on your laser proof because the printer cannot resolve the fine line. If you do use ¼ point rules, or even ½ point rules, they should usually be only one color to avoid registration problems on press.
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2. Smaller Than 10 Point Type - Type of this size should overprint screen tints. It should normally be one color or a build of no more than two process colors.
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3. Tints Less Than 4 to 5 Percent - Conventional printing processes do not allow accurate reproduction of flat tints of less than 4 to 5 percent. You should talk to you printer prior to attempting to use a screen tint of less than 4 percent.
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4. Gradations - When creating gradations in process colors, care should be taken to assure that the tint build is not too fine. For example, a light PMS color may have only 3 percent of cyan at full strength. If a gradation is created from 100% to 20% of this PMS color, then the cyan will go from 3% to 0.6% - a non-reproducable tint value. This will most likely cause banding and other undesirable effects. The smallest tint in a gradations should be of a reproducable dot value and over a distance which will minimize banding.
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5. Type Overprinting Tints - The maximum recommended screen tint behind type to maintain readable type is 30 percent. Of course, the point size and color of the type and the background color will affect this value, but it is a good rule of thumb to assume a 30 percent gray value as maximum.
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6. Type Reversing Out of Tints - The minimum recommended screen tint behind reverse type is 60 percent. Once again, the type size and screen tint colors will affect this value.
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7. Registration Black - The color "registration black" is used to print on all colors (all spot colors and process separations). It is usually used for registration marks and should NOT be used as a substitute for process black, a custom black, or a black kicker.
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