(v13) Screening
This page applies to Harlequin v13.1r0 and later; and to Harlequin Core but not Harlequin MultiRIP.
The Harlequin Core supports multiple methods of providing halftone screening, including:
- PostScript spot functions
- PostScript threshold screens
- Spot functions as embedded in PDF files
- An API to add your own screening engine. For more information see the API Reference Manual.
- Tile-based screening that supports non-monotonic 1-bit screens (HalftoneType 116). For more information see the Extensions Manual.
- Harlequin Precision Screening (HPS™), a proprietary mechanism to provide moiré-free screening for color reproduction when using spot functions
- Harlequin Dispersed Screening (HDS), a family of stochastic (FM) screens
- Harlequin Cross-modulated Screening (HXM), hybrid screens designed for high-quality offset and flexo printing
- Advanced Inkjet Screens, Mirror and Pearl, designed to mitigate common artefacts seen when printing on high-speed inkjet presses
In addition, it includes extensions to those screening mechanisms, including:
- Functionality to increase the number of gray levels achievable for a given resolution, screen frequency combination
- Controls to manage the selection of screens when processing live PDF transparency
- Methods for overriding various aspects of screens set by a job, such as the frequency and spot shape
- Automatic selection of screens by object type (HalftoneType 195)
- Rich support for multi-level screening (for example, for inkjet presses using grayscale heads)
Harlequin Core can also be integrated with Global Graphics Software's dedicated screening engine, ScreenPro™, which can apply screening at very high speed post-RIP; it can also incorporate PrintFlat™ to correct for non-uniformity in the print.