User guide

Bitmap Resolution

The Prism Printer can print at 300x600 DPI (dots per

inch). It is important to remember this when you create

your CD label. The resolution has a great effect on

transitions between colors. You can see for yourself the

differences between two common DPIs. The figure at the

right shows the same soccer ball at 72 and 300 DPI. Since

the Prism Printer prints at 300x600 DPI and high-

resolution images appear better, it is best to use 300 DPI

graphic images or pictures. The 600DPI directions improve

the overall print quality.

The effectiveness of dithering is dependent on the

resolution. The smaller the dots that dithering uses to

create colors, the more realistic the colors. For the best

results and the greatest ease, we recommend that you start

with 300 DPI pictures or designs. For example, if you are

scanning a photograph for your label, you should set the

scanning resolution at 300 DPI.

Anti-Alias

Anti-aliasing is an option that the graphic designer can

select or deselect when saving a graphic image. Anti-aliasing is designed to smooth out

the edges of a graphic image. It does this by inserting extra pixels that are half-

colored between the picture edge and the background. It looks better on the graphic

designer’s computer screen, and it works effectively on

pictures with the Prism Printer. However, it has a

reverse effect on logos and text objects. Therefore, it is

recommended to disable the anti-alias option for text and

objects that are small and thin like text.

Notice the text examples on the right side. The anti-

aliased text at 72 dpi looks bad. The next example was

saved with anti-alias at 300 dpi. It looks much better

than the 72 dpi image, but a closer look shows the edges

are gray. The gray edges will not print well when the

object is this small. The last example would print the

best.

Color Depth

Electronic graphic images can be saved in multiple color

depths. The amount of colors determines the color depth.

The higher color depth, the better the image appears.

Graphic images can be saved in 16.7 million, 256, or 16 colors. The disadvantage to

the larger color depth, is it takes up much more memory and time to print.

Since the Rimage Prism Printer can only print 7 solid colors, and it dithers all the

other colors, there is no need to save images at anything above 256 colors. Keep the

graphic images down to 256 colors and the results will be at their best and it improves

the print speed.