Proposed Symbols for Density Measurement in the Graphic Arts.

Communication and teaching within the graphic arts can be made more effective through the use of consistent symbols. This proposal deals with the symbols representing the most commonly used density measurements. This includes such areas as measurements of positive or negative images on originals or reproductions either by transmission or reflection, and the characteristics of such measurements such as arbitrary 3-filter, colorimetric, equivalent neutral density, analytical, integral, etc. The derivation of the symbols was guided by two criteria: 1) That the symbols are logical enough that if forgotten they can be derived from the conditions of measurement, and 2) they are simple and short enough so as to encourage their use. The relationships of these symbols to the proposed ANSI standards for transmission and reflection density are discussed.