This article answers some common questions about the linescreen capabilities of the Apple Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS printer when it is used in transparency mode.

Question: What is the effective Linescreen of the Color LaserWriter 12/600? I have read that it changes from 200 to 141 depending upon the image type. Can I override these settings?

Answer: The linescreen of the Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS is 200 lpi (lines per inch), and it CANNOT be changed; the firmware in the printer ignores any PostScript commands to change the linescreen. Depending on the area being imaged, the linescreen will change to an effective 141 lpi -- mostly in the lighter areas of an image. These settings, unfortunately, cannot be changed because they have been set to provide the optimum results from the print engine.

Question: I know that the Transparency mode changes the speed of the overall throughput, but I have not seen any other changes as I have tested it. Are there any changes made when printing in Transparency mode?

Answer: With transparencies, the only change (other than print engine speed) is that the halftoning structure is changed to allow for a lighter image, and, in turn, better "transparency" when viewed through an overhead. You may be able to notice the individual halftone cells due to the lower lpi, but this effect is only seen when the transparency is viewed without an overhead projector -- it is not present when viewed through a projector.

Question: There are certain applications that do not give you the option to print in Transparency mode (such as PageMaker) is there a way around this?

Answer: Apple is unable to determine how to print in "transparency mode" through PageMaker; "transparency mode" is a function of the Apple print driver, and PageMaker uses their own print driver. Customers should contact Adobe for this information.

Question: I have also heard that although the options for different color matching are available, they are ignored by most applications. Is this true of the Transparency mode as well?

Answer: With regard to color matching being ignored by most applications, this also holds true in transparency mode.

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