How do I convert film to digital?

[Wheels]

I have a customer that has film from an old job, (2 color job). There is duotone photograph on the piece they would like reproduced. We are all direct to plate and are unable to handle the film. Scanning the printed image didn't give very sharp reproduction. Is there an easy way to utilize the film to get a digital version that will have better results?

[DFagan]

Have you tried scanning the film only, then create a multi channel photoshop document to piece them back together. You can then spec what each channel color will be for the films scanned.

Just an idea. Give it a shot!

[MMC]

You need to find someplace that has a copy dot scanner.........

[edwinb]

I like Dave's answer, You need to scan at the highest resolution you can and then descreen
Edwin

[T]

Diddo Copy Dot

[William Campbell]

We can convert your film to a variety of digital files, depending on your needs, up to 16" x 20" originals. Larger flats must be broken into smaller sections, and since de-stripping is required anyway, the only job we are prevented from handing are large posters.

Check out our website: Revere Graphics - Portland, Oregon

--
William Campbell
Revere Graphics Portland Oregon USA
voice 503-239-6098
william@rgraphics.com
Revere Graphics - Portland, Oregon

[claude72]

You need to scan at the highest resolution you can and then descreen

No ! you are mixing two methods!!!

... either you scan the film as a grayscales picture, and then you need to scan at the normal resolution of a contone picture (300 ppi for example) and you must descreen to remove the screen...

... or you scan as a copy-dot, meaning that you scan the screen as is... then you need to scan:
- at the resolution of the imagesetter that did output this film (commonly 2400 dpi),
- in 1-bit mode
(because the film is a 1-bit "picture", a raster is always a 1-bit picture... it's the purpose of the screen to succeed in simulating many gray scales using only black dots on white paper)
- without descreen!!! you need the screen to re-print the film with it's original screen.

[Al Ferrari]

Claude is correct. And for implementing the copydot method, you would be a fool to try it on an ordinary scanner. You really should have this done with the proper equipment at a shop like Revere Graphics.

Al