Pre-press analysis: With the same equipment and software, how small is the quality of printed small newspapers and hundreds of thousands of printed ones?
July 12 01:06:41, 2025
At present, most county-level and municipal newspapers are typically published in four editions, with a circulation of around 20,000 copies. Occasionally, a small number of color newspapers need to be printed at large printing facilities. However, these color newspapers are processed using the same software and printing presses as regular publications, which often leads to poor print quality and delays, especially when compared to mass-produced color newspapers. The main issue lies in the fact that high-speed rotary machines operate at a paper belt speed of 9 to 13 meters per second, but small color runs usually only involve about 10,000 copies. Additionally, the color optimization process is not fully utilized for such small quantities.
To address this challenge, machine operators must become more precise and efficient in color adjustments. At the same time, pre-press staff should collaborate closely during the preparation of small color newspapers, making the color adjustment process smoother and faster. This cooperation can significantly improve the overall efficiency and quality of small color prints.
Pre-press processing for color newspapers involves several steps, including image editing, plate-making, output, and plate production. In this context, we’ll explore some strategies to enhance the printing quality of small color newspapers through optimized image processing.
1. **Use RGB Mode for Image Processing**
The RGB color model is based on light and offers a broader range of colors, particularly bright and vivid tones. Since RGB has a much larger color gamut than CMYK, using it during image editing provides more flexibility and richer visual effects. Although the final output will still require conversion to CMYK, starting in RGB helps preserve color integrity before any loss occurs.
2. **Adjust Image Clarity**
Due to limited printing materials and conditions, small color newspapers often use lower screen rulings and higher dot gain. To compensate, a greater sharpening value is necessary to enhance image clarity. Sharpening also helps reduce the loss of detail during screening. The amount of sharpening depends on the original image type, size, and scaling. For example, portraits typically require less sharpening than landscapes, and larger images or higher magnifications may need stronger sharpening.
3. **Adjust Image Tonal Range**
The goal of tonal adjustment is to meet printing standards by accounting for dot gain. It’s important to concentrate the main tonal values in the mid-range (20% to 60%), which is where the human eye is most sensitive. This ensures that the original tone is reproduced as accurately as possible, resulting in clearer and more realistic images. Special attention should be given to critical areas, such as facial features or clothing, where tonal contrast must be at least 15%. Also, avoid cutting off highlights or shadows entirely, and keep the image's tonal range between 2% and 95%.
4. **Color Adjustment**
Color correction aims to reproduce the colors reflected by the original, not the actual color of the object itself. During this process, color deviations caused by scanning or the original source should be corrected to ensure accurate color representation. It’s also important to make sure that the screen simulation matches the final print outcome. Newsprint has a gray scale of 3% to 5%, so comparing proofs or standard prints with the original digital file is highly recommended. Color adjustments should be based on data from the information board, not just what appears on the screen.
5. **Convert RGB to CMYK**
Before printing, all images used for film output must be in CMYK mode. After conversion, it’s essential to check the image for any color casts. If the result isn’t satisfactory, revert the conversion immediately. Avoid re-converting back to RGB, as this can cause further color degradation.
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