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From: jwi@lzfme.att.com (Jim Winer @ AT&T, Middletown, NJ)
Newsgroups: comp.text.desktop
Subject: Re: ventura
Summary: Paper makes a difference
Keywords: ventura,xt
Message-ID: <1320@lzfme.att.com>
Date: 8 May 89 15:06:50 GMT
References: <629@eeg.UUCP> <2008@trantor.harris-atd.com> <3719@nunki.usc.edu> <5679@brunix.UUCP>
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T, Lincroft NJ
Lines: 50

In article <5679@brunix.UUCP>, cs132085@brunix (Gregory Brail) writes:
> In article <1312@lzfme.att.com> jwi@lzfme.att.com (Jim Winer @ AT&T, Middletown, NJ) writes:
> >
> >300 x 300 dpi is quite adequate for printing if you use 12 point
> >type and larger, particularly in the highly legible type
> >famlies.
> 
> I hate to sound like an old fuddy-duddy, but I've found that 300X300
> dpi output looks noticably less clear than higher-resolution output
> when printed on any paper better than newsprint. Just look at the ads
> in the back of computer magazines -- it's pretty easy to tell which
> ones are printed on LaserWriters, even if they're well-designed and
> laid out. Needless to say, they usually aren't. On glossy paper,
> 300X300 dpi type just doesn't make it. On coarser-grade papers, it's
> sometimes OK, however.

I forgot to mention that some of the special super-smooth papers
designed for laser printers make a big dfference. I use the
Hammermil Laser Plus for masters (the one with the wax barrier).  A
photomicrograph of the toner particles on regular paper looks like
spilled creosote on a bunch of logs (the paper fibers). A similar
photomicrograph of the special laser papers looks looks more like
bird droppings on a pile of twigs -- i.e. the print quality is about
twice as good.

Incidently, a number of magazines have indicated that some brands of
special laser paper are no better than regualr paper, so look at the
results under a microscope if you can before investing heavily in
paper.

> >For those who are serious about reproduction, create your pages
> >oversize at about 129% (for 5-1/2by 8-1/2 pages) and then have them
> >reduced to 77% when the plates are made. This increases your
> >resolution to about 400 x 400 with virtually no cost.
> 
> Excellent suggestion. You can even print at 200% and reduce by 50%.
> This looks even better. 
> 
The 129% figure is used specifically because this is as large as you
can make a 5-1/2 by 8-1/2 page and still get it to fit on an 8-1/2
by 11 page.

Jim Winer ..!lzfme!jwi 

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