Dot gain is an event that occurs in nearly every type of imaging. Dots, or other patterns used to impart the illusion of tonality on an image, will grow when put onto media, causing the visual effect of larger patterns. The amount of change, measured in percent, is the dot gain. It is greatest in the mid-tones of an image, and is absent from both he shadow and the highlight end of the tonal scale. To combat dot gain, printers use corrective curves, which compensate in advance of printing for the effect of dot gain. Color profiles include compensation for dot gain. |