The Vault
Troubleshooting guide
Dots on my imaged plate don't match the file — highlights dropping out or shadows plugging (dot gain/loss)
Posted by the SuperPrinters team · 7/26/2026
The dot percentages measured on the finished plate (or the resulting press sheet) don't match the file — highlight dots fall off or midtones/shadows plug and read heavier. Color looks off and may drift from plate to plate over a run. Most often caused by wrong or outdated plate calibration curve / no linearization loaded for this exact plate type and screening, among other possible causes — a full step-by-step diagnostic and fix follows below.
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