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stanb
stanb
Participant
November 15, 2019
Question

How can I significantly increase the dot gain in indesign? I want to use MORE ink/toner...

  • November 15, 2019
  • 7 replies
  • 1524 views

 I am trying to figure out  how to increase the dot-gain for a gray-scale PDF export within InDesign, so that all the lines and text will appear FATTER, so the books can be read easier in low light situations, or from a greater distance. I want to use MORE ink/toner, not less.  

 

My digital printer (a knowledgeable person) tells me if I use the 30% dot-gain adjustment, it will actually COMPENSATE for 30% gain, and makes the output lighter. How can we make everything  significantly heavier?  We have been experimenting, but are nearing our deadline, and are looking for answers. Any experts out there with a solution? Thanks!

 

Ironically, I knew how to do this easily 40 years ago, by changing the exposures when making PMTs or negatives, or when burning the aluminum plates (yep, I’m  obviously an old-timer). Figured it would be easier today to make compensation in our digital world— ha!

 

[And does this forum have a place to just share help with knowledge and techniques— I’m not suggesting a “bug” OR a “feature request.”]

This topic has been closed for replies.

7 replies

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 15, 2019

Can you share the PDF?

 

Have you checked the output numbers in AcrobatPro's Output Preview? If you are making a conversion to a Gray profile when you export to PDF you are likely getting a conversion to a different gray value. Depending on how the document is setup you could get this:

 

The CMYK black exported to PDF with a Gray profile set as the destination in the Output tab, sampled in AcrobatPro—0|0|0|100 US Web SWOP Coated CMYK converts to 87% grayscale:

 

Luke Jennings
Luke Jennings
Inspiring
November 15, 2019

Have you tried the print setting- Print as image? sometimes that helps.

If you were dealing with a scan or non-100% black type, there is an Acrobat preflight fixup that can darken your PDF, but is sounds like your PDF has too thin black type or lines. If you have the fonts, you could open the PDF in Illustrator, select all and add a very thin stroke. If you don't have the fonts, you would first need to outline the type in Acrobat, then open it in Illustrator.

This work-around is not ideal, for several reasons, but for printing purposes, it might help you.

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2019

     

    As far as I know, there's no dot gain adjustment knob in InDesign.

     

    "How can we make everything significantly heavier?"

     

    Type: Change to heavier font(s)

    Vector graphics: Increase stroke weights

    Images: Jack up the Levels midpoint (or superimpose a copy and set its blend mode to Multiply)

    stanb
    stanbAuthor
    Participant
    November 15, 2019

    When my music typesetter exports finished music pages from Finale, he saves them as PDFs, which are 100% Vectors, is that right?

    If so, how do I "stroke weights" as you suggested?  Does that get done in Finale before exporting?  Or can I "increase Stroke Weights" with any PDF file?

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2019

    There is no assurance that the PDF is 100% vector and InDesign will only import it as any other linked graphic.

    You can not make any changes or edits to it using InDesign and even with a full blown version of Acrobat I'm not sure you'd have much luck doing this.

    J
    Community Expert
    Jeffrey_SmithCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2019

    What you are trying to accomplish really needs to be done on the output, not the input with profiles. This really depends on the device you are printing to, and if the functionality of printing heavier is an available option.

    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Derek CrossCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2019

    Text type should be printed in black (there's no screen to have a dot gain). In fact printers ink is not pure black it's very dark grey, and that adds to the readability of the text.

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2019

    I am trying to figure out how to increase the dot-gain for a gray-scale PDF export within InDesign, so that all the lines and text will appear FATTER, so the books can be read easier in low light situations, or from a greater distance. I want to use MORE ink/toner, not less.

     

    Is the problem with grayscale images, or 100% black text and lines? If you are only using 100% black for your type and lines there would be no dot gain—100% black would have no halftone dot.

     

    It sounds like you might be getting a conversion from 100% black to a gray percentage when the file is exported or printed. For composite printing make sure your InDesign Appearance of Black Printing/Exporting Preference is set to Output All Blacks as Rich Black.

    Frans v.d. Geest
    Community Expert
    Frans v.d. GeestCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2019

      (removed)

    A
    Anonymous
    November 15, 2019

    Moving to the InDesign forum from Community Help

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