Proofing RIP specialist Best has developed a system for producing colour managed halftone proofs on Hewlett-Packard ink-jet printers.


Best Screenproof supports linescreens of up to 200lpi depending on the printer used. The 6,500 package can be used to drive HPs DesignJet 1000, 5000 and 800 printers.


"To produce the sort of quality were producing, youre into Kodak Approval territory and the need to spend 100,000," said Ian Scott, director of Bests UK distributor Guideline.


The software is designed for markets that want a halftone representation of ripped data.


"Until now, Best has been addressing the 90% of the market that needs contone proofs," said Scott.


"Now it is moving into the last 10% of the market that needs linescreen, including newspapers and flexo," he added.


Screenproof works in two ways: it can take ripped and screened files, re-combine them, apply colour management and output a representation of the halftone; or it can take ripped only files and apply a range of halftone screens to simulate the final result.


Best and HP have put forward three printer recommendations for different halftone applications.


For newspapers and low linescreens up to 110lpi, the DesignJet 1000 series is recommended.


For general proofing up to 150lpi, and where contone proofs are also required, the DesignJet 5000 is recommended.


For 200lpi proofs, the firms said the DesignJet 800, with its 2,400x1,200dpi resolution, was required.


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