Measurement of MTF of Graphic Arts Products

Modulation transfer function (MTF) and spread function are performance evaluation tools widely used in optical and photographic imaging. Use of these tools has been sparse in the graphic arts industry. Part of the reason for this is attributable to difficulty in determining the MTF of graphic arts products. A technical approach is presented that provides an estimate of the spread function of these high contrast materials. This methodology is compatible with instrumentation readily available in the typical graphic arts film laboratory. The use of this data to provide insight to graphic arts applications is also discussed. arts film laboratory. The use of this data to provide insight to graphic arts applications is also discussed.