benday process

printing

Also known as: Ben Day process

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

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The Benday process is a mechanical method used in printing to create shaded or tinted areas using dots. Invented by Benjamin Day, a New York newspaper engraver, in 1879, it utilizes celluloid screens with raised dot and line patterns. Ink is transferred from these screens to a metal printing plate, allowing for the creation of halftone images by selecting different screen patterns for various parts of the image. This process has since been replaced by photomechanical techniques. Printing itself is the technique of transferring ink or coloring agents to paper or other materials to create texts or illustrations.1234

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photoengraving
The benday process
An entirely mechanical procedure for production of a halftone image on a metal printing plate is the benday process (1879), named after its inventor, Benjamin Day, a New York newspaper engraver. This process utilizes a series of celluloid screens bearing raised images of…
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An entirely mechanical procedure for production of a halftone image on a metal printing plate is the benday process (1879), named after its inventor, Benjamin Day, a New York newspaper engraver. This process utilizes a series of celluloid screens bearing raised images of…
Read More