Screening Standards and Specifications

One of the advantages of a conventional film-based workflow is the ability to specify film attributes. The screen ruling and angles of film is easily verified, and fixed. Much of the early success of SWOP, Specifications for Web Offset Publications, was due to an agreed upon film specifications, namely emulsion down, 133 lpi, and specific angles. This paper will review the history and current status of printing specifications and standards relating to screening, and challenges going forward with emerging stochastic and hybrid screening technologies. Note: This manuscript was not received in time for publication in the 2003 TAGA Proceedings.