It is believed that the printing of FM network is already a commonplace topic and this technical concept is not new. In fact, everyone around the inkjet printer is also using the FM network to achieve photo image effects. But in the real offset printing process, what are the details of practical application? At the same time, what business opportunities are there? The author had the privilege of doing some experiments and understanding in the past few weeks. I hope to share with you here.
First, the introduction of thermal CtP makes FM offset printing feasible. In foreign countries, the accepted standard is for printing 200 pages or 15 to 20 μm FM for hardcover book printing, and 20 to 30 μm for packaging printing. Change to the familiar size ratio. Imagine a 200-line network whose half-tone screen is actually 127μm x 127μm. Therefore, the 25μm FM is 4%, while the 20μm is 2.5%, and 15μm.
It is 1.4% of the mesh. Please survey your company's version of the master: general film printing can be how much print points, the traditional PS version can only achieve accurate exposure and even record 5% of 200 lines of the mesh, and then more difficult to do it. Therefore, it is basically impossible to achieve the FM network required in the traditional concept printing.
The reality is that only thermal CtP technology can provide FM network production. Considering the factors of mechanical wear in the printing process, a larger FM mesh is recommended for packaging printing to improve its print durability.

Second, the effect of the color difference of the paper on printing hue. This feature is worth our attention. The influence of the background color of the paper on the printing color is improved in the FM network. For example, if the background color of the paper is yellow, or the same image is printed on different machines, it is easier to obtain the gray balance with the FM network as a mixed ash ladder. Color requirements are not strict, suggesting that costs have fallen.

Third, there is a more stable hue control over the half tone using the FM network. Everyone knows that regardless of the type of network, halftone dot value increases with the size of the dot. If 50% is 15%, 25% and 75% can be 10% or 13%, but when the FM network The gray dots are the same size as the young dots, and there is only one stable and consistent value added when printing. Therefore, a stable color management curve can be obtained more easily. At the same time, it is worth taking note of the advantages of printing long prints, such as package printing or high-demand prints. Just think about how many factors affect the value-added changes of outlets when printing tens of thousands of copies. The FM network has become simpler than halftones, making it easier for the printer to recover color in the whole process, reduce losses and complete production faster.

Fourth, the advantage of multi-color overlay network printing. This advantage can help increase the color gamut of offset printing and restore more accurate colors such as brilliant orange and pure green.
Because of these and other advantages, the printing industry in foreign countries has also applied a large amount of printing on the FM network. Whether it is on the buyers or the printers, it is also a double-minded situation.

Regardless of the long print, such as newspaper printing, packaging and printing, and the hardcover book, FM network production has gradually become more and more popular. I believe that all of you are interested in the industry. Here are a few things you should be aware of.

1. Try to print a 4% flat screen. If a half-tone 200-line screen is used, there should be 40,000 uniformly distributed dots of ink at 25 μm per square inch. For example, with a 25 μm FM network, it is an uneven distribution of 40,000 ink dots. If you consider 20μm frequency modulation, it is an uneven distribution of 50,000 20μm ink dots, even if printed full version.
2. Therefore, under the same printing conditions, a 20 μm image has a higher contrast than a 200-line image. If it increases the amount of ink on the FM network, the image may be too hard and the visual effect of a gradual layer jump may occur.

3. Because the printed FM network is faced with young printing. Therefore, it is necessary to have higher requirements in printing pressure, ink-water balance, and tape conditions.
The application of FM and CtP has always been a new topic in the local market. However, with the popularity of thermal CtP, the potential and business opportunities are really attractive. At the same time, it is not as good as waiting for customers to actively provide quality products to win orders from customers.