Gradients on proofer versus press

[jeffs@printnw.net]

I am having a problems with my gradients looking chopping and having "hard lines" on press. The plotters on my Epson 9800 look a lot better?

What can I do? The customer thinks it is a press issue. Is there something I can? Is there some information I can pass along to the designer regarding designing gradients?

I am also using Apogee X version 5.

Thanks for the help.

[zoran]

Our situation is opposite, gradients are usually better on press than on Epson.
You have to make sure you don't have gradient as an image but smooth shade.
I suspect this is due to modern APPE rendering smooth shades at 2400 dpi for plate, rather than Epson 720 dpi.

Actually I am not even sure that it gets rendered for epson.
I think I read somewhere that Epson is using "preview" image from smooth shade to plot gradient.
I am not sure where I read this info so take it with grain of salt.
I am pretty sure some more advanced techies can chime in and clarify it for all of us.

[marktonk]

It is difficult to say without seeing what it looks like. You could look at what screening you are using and what dot shape. A Euclidean dot versus a square may help smooth it. Also check your calibration curve, if it does not have a smooth transition, it can also cause breaks

Zoran, what screen system are you using and what dot shape? This may help give him some guidance.


Regards,

Mark