Digital BW, The Print

Hi Doug,

> Austin/Keith:
>
> After reading a George DeWolfe reference to this on inksupply.com, managed
> to track down Epson's "official" guide on scanning resolution:
> <snip>
> Would be very interested in seeing an actual
> side-by-side comparison that proves either theory wrong. Anyone?

The best image out you are going to get is to scan at the optical resolution
of your scanner, and size the print (not interpolating) and let the PPI fall
where it may, providing it's above a certain point.  I've done dozens to
probably near hundreds of comparison tests, and the overwhelming conclusion
is that this gives the best image.  Also, everyone I've suggested this
methodology to, has said the same thing.

The reasoning is pretty obvious.  Decimating the image information means
that you are changing the image data that the halftone algorithm is basing
its decisions on, and that will degrade your output tonality and sharpness.
Now, this isn't true with EVERY image on earth, but as a general rule of
thumb, for me, it has held true.

It is a very easy test you can do for your self.  Scan an image, resize to
your output size in PS NOT allowing decimation to take place, and let the
PPI fall where they may to 240PPI.  Print the image.  Take the same image
and check the little box in re-size to allow decimation, and then change the
PPI to 240.  Print it out.  See for your self ;-)

Regards,

Austin