New Ways to Judge Test Exposures from the Laser Scanner.

Since the introduction of the Hell Chromatograph DC 300 B/L color scanner, new films designed specifically for laser applications have been developed. It is apparent that there is also a need for a new and more useful method of evaluating exposures which will produce better and more consistent separation results. Such a method must involve a knowledge of the basic relationship between laser, film and processing as well as the specific separation requirements. This paper examines this relationship and suggests criteria for exposure evaluation and quality control which are applicable to a variety of film-developer combinations. Further guidelines on using test patterns to check other film characteristics such as resolution, contrast and latitude and etchability are also presented.