RIPs for Screen Printing (dts)

[Joseph Donahue]

Does anyone have feedback/suggestions about 1 bit tiff rips for large format Screen Printing direct to screen?

We currently use Harlequin, and it's ok, but I would really like a better FM dot than HDS.

Anyone using anything else? If so, how do you like it?

[zombie]

You can also try their HXM.

[gordo]

[snip]
We currently use Harlequin, and it's ok, but I would really like a better FM dot than HDS.

What don't you like about their FM dots?

You can also try their HXM.

HXM is AM screening from 5%-95%.

best, gordo

[Joseph Donahue]

Well, it has a repeating pattern, (which isn't a deal killer, as we use it for yellow only) but I think the "worm" pattern is a little tough to keep from bleeding on a screen print. Also, there isn't a lot of flexibility as far as micron size. We are planning to upgrade to a 1270 dpi device, and we'll need the "double dot" plug in to get a pattern coarse enough to screen print cleanly. Finally, (this falls under the category of "pet peeve") it's a little annoying that you have to set up separate page setups and hot folders to get a halftone cmk/stochastic yellow combination.

I've seen output from other rips (Esko, ColorGate, even Wasatch) that have really nice random FM patterning, but they have drawbacks as well (i.e. price, speed, flexibility, etc.). That's why I threw the question out there. I've never really been in love with Harlequin, but I haven't found anything that screams "better mouse trap".

[meddington]

Drawbacks aside, you might find that the licensing for FM screening options is significantly more expensive compared to HDS, let alone the cost of the RIP.

[maxon]

You may want to test the new digital modulation screenings for harlequin instead.

[gordo]

Why are you using FM for the Yellow?

best, gordo

[macdevin]

Why are you using FM for the Yellow?

best, gordo

It's fairly common to print the Yellow in FM to help avoid moire. Unlike offset you have to fight lpi to screen mesh issues. You can't run the lpi angle in parallel with the mesh.

[Joseph Donahue]

Also, with screen printing, "pile height" is an issue. Since the ink tends to be like paint, and sit on top of the substrate, rather than soak in, the yellow can create a moire against the other colors as they tend to fill in the low spots between dots.

[Joseph Donahue]

I've read a little about it and emailed back and forth with a rep. It looks pretty interesting, but the rep seemed to think it wasn't a good fit for resolutions as coarse as we require. I'm not sure why though.