Design Tips

How to Avoid Gradation Banding
Reduce line screen (if 150 go to 133)
Compose screens of as many process colors as possible. (When they overlay each other they tend to cover better.)
Boost fountain steps to the maximum (256+)
Always check your individual pieces of film: Colorkeys, Konicas, and some other proofing mediums will not show light screens or gradations well.
It is best to use match prints when doing gradations or light screens.

Saving Money on Film
You can save money on film costs by setting up your smaller documents to print as spreads. For example, having your service bureau output your 8.5 x 11" pages 2-up on an 11 x 17" page will save you 25% compared to printing two individual 8.5 x 11" pages. Remember to check with your print vendor to see if they will require "reader's spreads" (page 1 & 2, then page 3 & 4, like the reader will see them) or "printer's spreads" (paginated in the order they will be fed into the press, which often is very different.)