Digital BW, The Print

Colin & Linda McKie writes:

> Having said that, I would take issue with the
> flat claim that "Sharpening should always be applied as the last step 
> after image sizing and before printing."

Sharpening should always be the last step, for two reasons: (1) it
degrades image quality; and (2) the degree of sharpening required
depends on the exact use of the final image (printing or display, type
of printer or press, reproduction size, dot gain, screen frequency,
etc.).

> We use Photokit Sharpener, which is a 3 step sharpening workflow.

You can use whatever you want, but sharpening should still be the very
last step.  Archived images should never be sharpened, for the reasons
already stated above.  Scans should never be sharpened, either.  You
only sharpen just before you print or display (that is, only when
preparing a specific copy of an image for printing or display).