Dot-for-dot from inkjet prints?

[ElyseC]

The short version of this story is that a client upgrading their publishing operation is contractually bound for a few more months to use a particular print shop that, believe it or not, still has a process camera and shoots dot-for-dot film. The print shop will not take electronic files. (I know, I know...astounding isn't it?)

Anyway, my client has an ancient Apple Laserwriter 8500 that is on its last legs, er fuser, that they print everything to and paste up on layout sheets for the printer to shoot. They are very nervous about the Laserwriter because it's starting to act wonky yet again and they doubt very much they'll be able to find a replacement fuser for it this time. If it goes out on them, they're prepared to buy a new printer, but need something that'll let them print the line screen they need now, then take them into the future when this obligation to the old print shop is done.

It has been so many years since I've even thought about doing what they're doing that I'm not sure I remember how I used to do it. Will inkjet printers print halftones like laser printers? If they get another laser printer as a replacement, do they need it to be PostScript these days? And whatever they get needs to do tabloid, ideally tabloid bleed. Their target budget for a new printer would be under $2000 -- as far under as possible!

[PeterArnel]

Elyse
I might look at the cost of supplying film to the printer - unless its alot of pages its only for a few months it may be the cheaper option
Peter
Thats if you can find someone with an old film setter

[terrie]

elyse: Will inkjet printers print halftones like laser printers?

From all I know about inkjets, the answer is no...don't have a clue what to suggest as to the laser printer...

Terrie

[Robin Springall]

I absolutely agree with Peter: create press-optimised PDFs and, for now, supply films.

[ElyseC]

It will be a lot of pages and I know of no service bureaus in the area. Heck, I'm not sure there are any left anywhere within reasonable driving distance.

They're stuck with their current workflow until sometime near the end of the year, so I guess they need to somehow create PDFs with the line screen built in (now how on earth do you do that?) and print those to whatever new printer they get. Or continue to hope that the rickety ol' 8500 holds out for five more months.

[ElyseC]

Originally Posted by Robin Springall

I absolutely agree with Peter: create press-optimised PDFs and, for now, supply films.

Not an option, unfortunately. Nowhere here to output film these days that we know of.

[PeterArnel]

Ok this is along shot - cant the printer shoot some screened bromides for them

[ElyseC]

Originally Posted by PeterArnel

Ok this is along shot - cant the printer shoot some screened bromides for them

Hm. I don't know, because I think we're being separated by a common language -- what are screened bromides? I have a feeling I know exactly what they are, but by a name that's common here in the States.

[PeterArnel]

hahaha sorry about that -
a bromide in the UK is a paper print off a negative - we used to make them with paper contact negs in the old days
Peter

[ElyseC]

Originally Posted by PeterArnel

a bromide in the UK is a paper print off a negative

Aha. Got it. Yes, I believe we'd call that a contact print.

Hm. I think I'm misunderstanding - if you need the negative first to make the print, I'm missing how that would be better. Would be an extra two steps, no? If they cannot find anyone to output negs, then I doubt they'll find anyone who runs RC paper.

What they need is to get their InDesign and QuarkXPress documents in hardcopy with halftones printed to 85 line screen. (They have two different publications, separate business acquisitions, built from legacy templates - they're switching everything in stages to ID). This printer they must use can only take reflective art, using an old process camera to shoot to film. (You know...I wonder where he even gets such film and in the quantities he must be using.)