What Is Dot Gain?

In printing, images are not made from solid colour blocks. They are made from tiny dots of ink. These dots vary in size and spacing to create:

Light Tones

Small, widely spaced dots create highlights and bright areas.

Mid Tones

Medium-sized dots create smooth midtones and image detail.

Shadows

Large, closely packed dots form deep, dark areas.

Gradients

Transitioning dot sizes create smooth tonal progressions.

Photographic Detail

Precise control of dot size and spacing allows fine image detail and realistic photos.

When ink is transferred onto paper, the dots spread slightly. This spreading is called dot gain (also known as tonal value increase).