Hybrid Screening is a combination of AM and FM screening. Hybrid screening is designed to improve print quality by increasing the output LPI for any given resolution. For example, if a printer is currently imaging plates at 2400 DPI with output at 150 LPI and is able to hold a 1% dot when printing on the required substrate, using HXM screens it would be possible to print at 200-250 LPI without any special pre-press or on-press requirements.
Hybrid Screening Demo
The areas that suffer most when trying to increase the LPI for a given printing condition (typically the substrate) are the loss of dots in the highlights and merging of dots in the shadow, resulting in loss of detail. Using current computer-to-plate imaging systems at 2400 DPI, it has been shown that a 0.5% dot can be produced on some plating material. However, only a very controlled printing system on the finest sheet fed presses with premium gloss paper stock can this 0.5% dot actually print over the course of a reasonable press run. This is where HXM comes in. HXM recognizes the issue and is, therefore, designed to carefully control the dot size and placement in the 0-8% and 92-100% range within the tonal scale.
In essence, a Traditional AM dot shape is used (something similar to Euclidean) for the 9–91% tonal region and a Frequency Modulated or FM dot for the two end regions. Two distinct features make this type of screen a true Hybrid. First is the use of two screening types to form a combined screen, and second the fact that the dot size is fixed at a known printable size, which ensures print quality at the extreme ends of the tonal scale. The number and placement of the dots in the FM regions use a randomization generator but are aligned with the traditional screens to ensure a smooth transition from the FM to AM or AM to FM.
Higher screen rulings can be used without major retooling, producing visually higher quality printing. The range of screens offered within the HXM screen set can handle both matte and gloss stock. Its use of hybrid screening allows the enlargement or reduction of images without affecting quality or detail. In fact, it can significantly improve the print quality with smoother flesh tones, flat tints and gradient transitions. This is achieved by controlling the dot size in the highlight and shadow, ensuring it is does not disappear in the light areas or merge in the dark areas.
The HXM screen sets are built for three specific industry segments: Newspaper, Commercial and Flexography (Flexo) printing. The Newspaper and Commercial screen sets use a traditional dot shape while the Flexo screen set uses a round dot shape. Please refer to the chart below for resolution and line screen offerings for each category of HXM.
Step 2: Install HXM
Download and unzip the appropriate plugin. When installing the plugin you will need to select the root of the RIP folder (Example: HardDrive\Rti8.1 or HardDrive\RTI RIP-Kit). After installing the plugin you will need to unlock the plugin by following the directions listed below. Windows HXM Installer Macintosh HXM Installer
Step 3: Unlock HXM
Start the RIP by double clicking on the RTI icon within the RTI folder on your hard drive. Go to the 'RTI RIP-Kit' menu ('File' on Macintosh versions of the RIP) and scroll down to Configure RIP. Click on the Extras button and highlight 'HXM' then click Add. Enter the HXM password: 5181900 and click OK. While in the Configure RIP Window you will also want to Configure the RIPs memory. Change the Printer Buffer = 32,768 and then click OK. The RIP will say that it needs to reboot. Click Yes to reboot the RIP and then start the RIP back up by double clicking on the RTI icon.
Flexo Update
If you are installing the Flexo version of HXM you will need to download and install the following file "HXMFlexo1200.ps" into the RTI \ SW \ Tiles \ hxmgeneric folder (overwriting the existing file). This is an update that only needs to be installed if you are using the Flexo version of HXM. Flexo HMX Revision File
Step 4: Create Page Setups
In order to print to the RIP and have the RIP output you must first create a page setup. HXM Page Setup
Step 5: Create Shared Printers
Once you have created a page setup you can share that page setup so that other computers on the network will be able to print to the new page setup. Before you share printers from your RIP you will need to download the RTI PPD. The PPD folder contains the RTI Postscript Printer Description (PPD) which can be used to print to the RIP from both Windows and Macintosh computers. Download the RTI PPD (works on both Windows and Macintosh computers)
This PPD folder contains PPDs for a wide variety of devices. The RTI PPD is a universal PPD. Creating a Shared Printer from a Windows RIP Creating a Shared Printer from a Macintosh RIP
Why use Hybrid Screening?
Traditional AM Screening. A common artifact of conventional fixed screening (AM) is moiré. This can be reduced by careful manipulation of screen angles, adjusting the input resolution and increasing the output lines per inch (LPI). Other screening types can eliminate moiré but have additional printing requirements and therefore may not be suitable in some applications. The challenge with conventional AM screening is to be able to print the smallest dots possible to enhance the detail, maintain highlight detail and to provide smooth gradients where present. Hybrid screens have been designed to solve the printing challenges that come from printing at higher screen rulings.
Traditional FM Screening. FM screening places dots of varying size in a pseudo-random way to produce the required tints. Advantages of this include increased apparent sharpness and the removal of cross screen and object moiré. This is achieved because the dots are dispersed instead of clustered as they are in a traditional periodic screen. Because of the variable dots, FM screening does have some limitations. These include printing blanket hardness, TVI, ink tack needed adjustment, not being printable for long runs and substrate quality which can cause piling. However, FM does make ink saving a possibility, and if process control is tightly maintained, has been shown to print purer colors.
Unlock hybrid screening on a free trial and compare our product to Adobe TurboRIP Hybrid Screening, Agfa Sublima with combined Agfa Balanced Screening (ABS) and Cristal Raster, Eagle FAM Screening, EFI OneFlow Hybrid Screening, Heidelberg Prinect Hybrid Screening, I-tone HybridScreen, RIPit OpenRIP PerfectBLEND Flexo Hybrid Screening, Screen Spekta AM/FM Hybrid Screening. All trademarks property of their respective owners.
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