A continuous-tone image is one in which each color at any point in the image can transition smoothly between shades, rather than being represented by discrete elements such as

halftone Halftone is the reprographic technique that simulates continuous tone, continuous-tone imagery through the use of dots, varying either in size or in spacing, thus generating a gradient-like effect.Campbell, Alastair. ''The Designer's Lexicon''. ...

s or

pixel In digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element in a Raster graphics, raster image, or the smallest addressable element in a dot matrix display device. In most digital display devices, p ...

Examples of continuous-tone images are natural phenomena, images produced with dye-based processes, images produced with certain analog printmaking processes ( intaglio,

block printing Woodblock printing or block printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later on paper. Each page or image is creat ...

, stone lithography), and paintings. Halftone prints (as produced with

inkjet Inkjet printing is a type of printer (computing), computer printing that recreates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto paper or plastic substrates. Inkjet printers were the most commonly used type of printer in 2008, and range f ...

and offset printers), traditional film, and digital screens are not truly continuous-tone since they rely on discrete elements (halftones, grains, or pixels) to create an image. However, the term applies when the appearance is so smooth that the breaks or gaps between tonal values are imperceptible. TV, computer and phone displays are effectively continuous. Purely analog

video signal Video is an electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving visual media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, which were quickly replaced by cathode-ray tube (CRT) ...

s can provide infinite tone variations according to their

gamut In color reproduction and colorimetry, a gamut, or color gamut , is a convex set containing the colors that can be accurately represented, i.e. reproduced by an output device (e.g. printer or display) or measured by an input device (e.g. cam ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Continuous Tone Printing terminology

See also

References