Line Screen

Term from Printing Services industry explained for recruiters

A Line Screen is a basic measurement used in printing that tells how detailed or fine a printed image will be. Think of it like the resolution on a TV - the higher the number, the sharper the image. When someone talks about "line screen" or "lines per inch (LPI)" in printing, they're describing how many dots of ink make up each inch of the printed image. This is important because different types of printing jobs need different line screens - newspapers might use a lower line screen while glossy magazines need a higher one for sharper images.

Examples in Resumes

Managed print quality control using Line Screen adjustments for various paper types

Optimized LPI settings for high-quality magazine production

Trained junior staff on proper Line Screen selection for different printing applications

Typical job title: "Print Production Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Print Production Manager Prepress Technician Print Quality Controller Press Operator Print Production Coordinator Print Services Specialist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you determine the appropriate line screen for different printing projects?

Expected Answer: A senior specialist should explain how they consider factors like paper type, printing method, and final viewing distance when choosing line screen settings. They should mention specific examples like using lower line screens for newspapers and higher ones for glossy magazines.

Q: How would you troubleshoot print quality issues related to line screen?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of common print quality problems like moiré patterns or grainy images, and explain how adjusting line screen settings can resolve these issues. Should also mention importance of proper file preparation.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What line screen settings would you use for different paper stocks?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain common line screen ranges for different paper types, like uncoated vs coated stock, and why certain settings work better for different materials.

Q: How does line screen affect image quality in different printing conditions?

Expected Answer: Should explain the relationship between line screen, image detail, and print quality, including how to balance these factors for optimal results in different printing situations.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is a line screen and why is it important in printing?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that line screen determines how many dots per inch are used to create printed images and why this matters for print quality.

Q: What are typical line screen values used in common print jobs?

Expected Answer: Should know basic line screen ranges like 65-85 for newspapers, 133-150 for magazines, and when each might be appropriate.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of line screen measurements
  • Knowledge of standard line screen settings
  • Basic print quality checking
  • File preparation fundamentals

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Line screen selection for different materials
  • Quality control procedures
  • Problem-solving print quality issues
  • Understanding of different printing methods

Senior (5+ years)

  • Advanced troubleshooting of print quality
  • Training and supervision of staff
  • Process optimization
  • Technical specifications development

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic printing terminology
  • Inability to explain relationship between line screen and print quality
  • Lack of experience with different paper types
  • No understanding of quality control procedures