Improve output quality

[Lessa]

I'm creating newsletters with b/w photos in it. For some reason, the photos look awful when printed by the printer (they are 300dpi and look fine if I print them to my printer). He used a 100 line screen. I told him to use 85 next time because the photos almost look like they were xeroxed (not much gray tone).

Is there something I can do in Photoshop to improve my chances of getting good quality from a crappy printer? I thought maybe saving as eps with "include halftone function" might help? Will it? Is there a way to save a tiff or eps to 85 line screen?

 

[pixl8r]

It sounds like your printer isn't using a halftone screen at all. You could try applying the halftone function yourself using the Halftone filter (Filter>Sketch>Halftone Pattern). You can set the dot size and line screen in the filter settings.

Hope it helps.

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!

 

[Lessa]

I tried that filter, it gives it more of a special effect look than a real halftone.

 

[pixl8r]

True on screen, but it actually prints pretty well. At any rate it's probably worth a try.

 

[Lessa]

oops, I was trying filter->pixillate-> color halftone. The one you suggested looks like it will actually work.

But don't you think it's lame that a printer can't do the halftone himself? I have never had a printer expect me to do the halftone. Sheesh!

 

[pixl8r]

Yeah I would say that is a lousy printer. Sounds like they are using a Xerox as their press.