Patent ID: 8399177

Claim:
A method for printing an image, the method comprising: preparing an image mask based on the image wherein preparing comprises: obtaining halftone image pixel data of a first nominal resolution corresponding to the image; increasing the resolution of the halftone image pixel data in at least one pixel dimension; applying a fixed pixel pattern to all image feature sizes of the halftone data; processing the image mask based on the processed halftone data; affixing the image mask to a relief medium precursor; exposing the relief medium precursor to radiation through the image mask; producing the relief medium from the relief medium precursor; and printing the image using relief features of the relief medium; wherein applying the pattern is designed to provide a constant reduction in transparency in corresponding image areas of the image mask; wherein producing the relief medium comprises producing a relief medium that resolves the pattern in corresponding relief features; wherein printing the image comprises printing solid image features with an increased ink density when solid relief features resolve the pattern; and wherein applying the pattern to all image feature sizes of the halftone data comprises applying the pattern to a halftone image feature with a size at least as large 30 microns in diameter.