Print contrast

The print contrast first increases with the color guidance, then it decreases again due to the dominant tone value increase

The relative print contrast is a measurement parameter in printing technology. It is determined by gradually increasing the solid tone density in a row and measuring the tone value of a specified three-quarter tone (usually 75 or 80%) . On the one hand, the coloring, i.e. the visual power of a print, increases with the solid tone density. On the other hand, it also increases the tone value increase : This worsens the tone value range , which again limits the image performance. ${\displaystyle K}$ ${\displaystyle D_{V}}$ ${\displaystyle D_{75}}$

The calculation formula is: . ${\displaystyle \mathrm {K\%={\frac {D_{V}-D_{75}}{D_{V}}}\times 100} }$

With increasing ink flow (full tone density), the relative print contrast first increases, passes through a maximum and then decreases again. The maximum solid tone density represents the optimum in terms of image technology for color guidance. The relative print contrast is influenced by the printing machine, the printing material, the printing color, the raster and the printing conditions and therefore only applies to a given set of parameters. Its importance is declining with the spread of standardization in printing.

Individual evidence

1. ^ HdP Helmut Kipphan (Ed.): Handbuch der Printmedien . 1st edition. Springer, Heidelberg 2000, ISBN 3-540-66941-8 , p. 107