Process Color Printing On A One-color Press

Because the final color result is not known until the last pass is completed, press operators must depend more on instrumental evaluation with a densitometer for each of their intermediate colors. Some multi-color press operators have become somewhat lazy about using a densitometer because they can see the final composite image. Single-color printers, out of necessity, must use a reflection densitometer to monitor and control the printing process. This procedural discipline works to their advantage and can provide them with less color variation throughout production than if they evaluate the color by eye.