Experimenting with Hifi-Printing Techniques

In result of the continued efforts to improve the quality of printed full-color images, new techniques, such as FM (or stochastic) screening or multicolor (the number of inks higher than the conventional CMYK) printing have emerged in recent years. The term 'hifi-printing' links up these techniques. The new methods were first received with great enthusiasm but people engaged in research and experiments have also viewed them with criticism because of the problems with their practical applications. At VTT Information Technology, we have started research and experiments to study the potential of the new methods and their effects on the achievable print quality. In the experiments we have compared the various screening methods for printing high-quality products. The research was also carried out to find the bounds of the gamut when adding an extra color to the conventional CMYK printing. This paper reports the results of this research and the experiments and discusses the potential of the new method. Technology, we have started research and experiments to study the potential of the new methods and their effects on the achievable print quality. In the experiments we have compared the various screening methods for printing high-quality products. The research was also carried out to find the bounds of the gamut when adding an extra color to the conventional CMYK printing. This paper reports the results of this research and the experiments and discusses the potential of the new method.