Abstract: A method of recording an image on a record medium in which the image comprises a number of interleaved first patterns (FIG. 1A) comprises deriving a second pattern (17) formed by a complete first pattern and portions of other first patterns whereby the image comprises a plurality of the second patterns in the same orientation and which are not interleaved, and causing relative movement between the record medium (32) and an exposing beam such that the beam scans the record medium and is repeatedly controlled to reproduce the second pattern and thus the image on the record medium.

Abstract: A method of generating a recording beam control function for reproducing an original colored image in which a record medium is exposed to a recording beam of radiation under the control of the control function comprises (a) generating a proof (7) from the original image; (b) generating a first recording beam control function (4) at least partly from the original image using a different reproductive process (2,3); (c) comparing the color of one or more selected areas of the proof (7A,7B) with the color of the corresponding area or areas defined by the first control function; and, (d) modifying the first control function in response to the result of the comparison step to generate a second control function (6) adapted to minimize differences in color between the proof and the reproduced image.