Prepress & Color Control Queries, ZQA

Moire prevention in halftoning for critical image quality preservation

How can precise Screen Angle settings and the selection of Halftoning methods effectively prevent Moire errors in printing?

Moiré/Moire is a common Halftoning error that occurs when the screen angle of dots interferes with the angle of the design patterns or the material patterns. To prevent this, it is crucial to adhere to standard angles (such as 45 degrees for the key color). Furthermore, in multicolor printing, different angles must be used for each CMYK color to prevent overlay and the creation of undesirable visual patterns.

Selecting the FM Halftoning (Frequency Modulation) technique is also a powerful solution for Moiré elimination, as this technique uses randomized dots instead of regular grids, making it less angle-sensitive. The technical team should always check print profiles before final production. Investing in specialized quality control tools ensures that Halftoning is maintained at the highest standard and the visual quality of the product is not compromised.

Aligned with: X-Rite / FOGRA / Kodak