There's plenty of published information on the benefits and drawbacks of printing stochastic. But you do have to be careful as there is a great deal of misinformation and faulty research (e.g. the GATF study on gamuts difference published in 2003 which was recanted the following year).
Two good sources are a TAGA report - see attached, and the PIRA study (if it's still available)
Pira Portal isbn 1-85802-126-x "stochastic screening" by Kelvin Tritton.
Briefly - for sheetfed:
Benefits:
• photographic appearance even under a loupe - i.e. higher fidelity to the original art
• larger gamut in 1 and 2 color screen tint builds
• no screen angle moiré
• no subject moiré
• color more stable as SIDs naturally vary on press - i.e. more consistent presswork
• tones more stable as SIDs naturally vary on press - i.e. more consistent presswork
• no rosettes - i.e. more consistent color and tones in presswork when slight misregistration occurs
• uses less ink - i.e. greener solution
• complements inkjet proofing - no screen-caused surprises on press.
• screen tints dry faster - i.e. easier to align presswork to proof (less need to visually account for dry-back)
Issues:
• requires process control in printshop
• requires consistency/integrity in plate imaging
• requires commitment by printshop (i.e. if it's only used once in a while the printer is less likely to reliably print stochastic)
Personally speaking, if you are able to print stochastic - I don't understand why you wouldn't.
That being said, if you use very high AM lpi screening, then you will also get many of the same benefits. The benefits come from the size of the dots - rather than how they are organized. However, if you are a quality leading print shop - well, there's nothing more beautiful, IMHO, than 10 micron FM. It looks continuous tone, even under a loupe and provides the quality that "high-end" customers deserve in their printed work.
best, gordon p
my print blog here:
Quality In Print current topic: Pressman's hat
