Dot gain soars at high screen rulings
High severitySymptoms
The print comes out far darker than the proof; plugged midtones despite correct densities
Probable causes
- The higher the ruling, the greater the total dot perimeter: at 250 lpi gain can double that of 150 lpi with identical settings
- compensation curve calculated for a lower ruling
Create a free account to see the fix
Includes 5 steps and prevention
The step-by-step solution and prevention for this problem are in your account. A free account shows 1 full solution per day; paid plans are unlimited.
The Print Guy · 2026-10-05
Other problems in this category
High rulings/Stochastic · TPG-012
Highlight loss (the dot won't print)
Gradients start abruptly: the 2-3% disappears and a visible step appears
High rulings/Stochastic · TPG-013
Plugged shadows (loss of dark detail)
From 85% to 100% everything looks the same: shadow detail disappears
High rulings/Stochastic · TPG-016
Accelerated plate wear at high rulings
Highlight loss mid-run; the job starts well and degrades
High rulings/Stochastic · TPG-017
Critical ink-water balance in stochastic
Stochastic is unforgiving: small water variations produce visible color shifts
High rulings/Stochastic · TPG-018
The paper won't support the chosen ruling
Mottling, irregular dot and loss of detail even though press and plates are correct
High rulings/Stochastic · TPG-019
Blankets and rollers unsuited to fine screens
Dirty dot, fill-in between dots or irregular transfer only on high-ruling jobs