[tpitman]

Ghostscript will print to just about anything. You might want to check to see if people are having problems printing out of Vista, though. I do all my art on a Mac, Illustrator or Photoshop, print either .ps files or .pdfs using a PDF printer in the dialog box so I have the options of custom sizes, but you should also have available a device independant printer (or whatever it's called). I drag the files over my network to a folder accessible from my PeeCee running Windows 2000 Professional, open the file from Ghsotview and print away to my HP9800. I've been using Chromopaque waterproof film from Screeners Choice, but I see they have a different film now.

 

[MotoskinGraphix]

Step 3 - Corel, Print to file

Select print from the file menu to open the print dialog. You'll notice that I have selected the "HP Laserjet 4/4MV Postscript" printer. If you don't have this printer driver installed, install it now and come back to this step. In order to "unlock" the halftone separation functions, you have to trick Corel into thinking you are printing to a postscript printer.

After installing this printer, check "Print to File" and go to the separations tab. On the separations tab, check "Print Separations" and "Use Advanced Settings". Uncheck all colors except black in the bottom window. After checking Use Advanced Settings, the frequency and angle will become editable. Change those numbers to achieve the desired halftone effects. A lower frequency number makes the dot size larger. I'll use a frequency or 25 so you can easily see the halftone dots in the final print.

Press Print and select a filename for the .prn print file.

I am lost right here with the install printer 4/4mv postscript ptinter. Where do I get the printer driver because certainly I dont have it. Do I just download some random postcript printer driver and install some random postscript printer? Isnt the computer going to ask for some sort of printer software?

I am lost at this stage of the game.

 

[inky]

ok ,i am playing with ghost and gsview and corel, i am past the 4/m part and i can print to pdf and get dots,,i am not good at corel but how do i do mutilple say 3 halftone color seps in corel ..into ghost? say i have a red box on bottom and a smaller green on top of it and a smaller yellow on to of it...what are the steps to create these half tones to ghost (i can't grey scale all three at once,then it sees all 3.....thanks

 

[inky]

nevermind found it (print plates to seperate files)...thanks!

 

[Lnfortun]

I softened the edges with the eraser tool.

Why is it necessary to soften the edges?

BTW it is a great presentation.

Thank you.

 

[MotoskinGraphix]

Why is it necessary to soften the edges?

BTW it is a great presentation.

Thank you.

It isnt...it was done just to make the image more a finished design and to show a haftone fade on the edge. If you are trying to figure out the program dont even worry about fading the edges.

 

[tpitman]

Can the 9800 print film? heck if i know. I own an epson.

fred

Yup. I either print line art directly off my mac, or for halftones and/or trapping, I print to file, open the .ps file in Ghostview, and print away.

I'm currently using Chromopaque waterproof film from Screener's Choice and getting great, dense films, but I see they are carrying a new type of film that's supposed to be the nuts, so we'll see.

There are other films available. Do a search of the forums, or go over to Screenprinters.net and do a search there to see what works for others.

 

[Lnfortun]

Step 2 - Corel X3

Open Corel and import the image you just created. If you work in Corel only, you can omit the PS step and just create your images in Corel. Once the image is imported, go to BITMAPS -> MODE -> GRAYSCALE and convert the image to grayscale.

Hi Ross,

I found that you do not need to convert to gray scale when printing through GSView when using a psotcript color printer. I used a postcript Seiko Color printer driver. I printed the image in color to a file. It Opens in GSView in color but when printed it is converted to halftone. There are three modes in the printer dialog window: a) B/W for halftone, b) Gray scale continuous tone and c) Full color mode.

By the default print mode in GSView is B/W which is used for halftone.

Thought I would mention it to save a step.

 

[MotoskinGraphix]

The whole point of halftone is color seps, LPI and screen angle...and the ability to customize the settings. The idea is to be able to print halftone films and color seps. on a non postscript printer without purchasing a RIP software. Nobody prints film in color...that is the entire point of color seps, they are all printed black.

 

[psi]

Hi guys,

Learned a lot from this thread.

Is there a way to set dot gain while exporting from Illustrator to PS file or printing from Ghostscript?

Thanks...any help would be much appreciated.

Joel

 

[darwinchristian]

Joel-

not entirely sure as i have moved into the paid postscript driver world, but i know that the transfer function within photoshop's print dialog will control the transfer of ink, and thus the dot gain.

if it's possible to generate your prn ghostscript file directly from photoshop, i'd try messing with the transfer function within photoshop's print dialog settings for output, and then "print" to your ghostscript PS device, generating the prn file to print through ghostview/ script.

this may work, but i'd probably solicit Fred, otherwise known as the poster "ImageIt," as i have learned pretty much all of this from him.

derek

 

[mituco76]

how to i get this>>>>>HP Laserjet 4/4MV Postscript driver

 

[darwinchristian]

here.

basically in xp just add a printer and pull from the menu.

 

[mituco76]

how do i get "gsview" thk you

 

[psi]

Hi Fred,

I have a good workflow printing from Illustrator to PS file then opening in GSView and printing halftone film from there to my Epson 3000.

I was just wondering if there is a way to define dot gain in that process. Because at the moment I am having to play with the gradient fills in Illustrator to reduce the gain.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Fred.

 

[mituco76]

thks man. very good info you have on this page

 

[skitzz]

Great stuff here! Very informative! Thanks!

 

[bsod]

Hi!

I would like to use GS in the place of a RIP.
Is it possible to increase the ink density? I'm using r2400 and k3 inks.

Thanks,
BSOD

 

[tpitman]

Hi!

I would like to use GS in the place of a RIP.
Is it possible to increase the ink density? I'm using r2400 and k3 inks.

Thanks,
BSOD

All Ghostscript does is interpret the postscript variables of whatever graphics program you used based on the PPD you use to enable those postscript features. It does nothing to the actual output from your inkjet printer. The only adjustments for ink density you can make are those enabled by the print driver for your particular printer, and those will be available in your print dialog box when you go to print your file, whether it is from Ghostscript or just straight to your printer from your graphics program. It's something you have to fiddle with, and the type of film you use can have a bearing. If you'll do a search here and over at Screenprinters.net, you'll find lots of info, and lots of different solutions to the ink density problem, depending on the printer.

 

[bsod]

Hi all!

Currently I'm using QuadtoneRIP to print out dense films (720dpi tiff's). My prints are not dark enough otherwise, no matter what settings I choose in the driver. With QTR I can increase the ink limit to even 800% (currently using 100%black, 100%m, 100%y).
Is there a way to integrate QTR's color management (build icm's or something) in the "ghostscript workflow"?

Thanks,
BSOD