The analogue manga workflow
Before digital, every grey on a manga page was screentone: a printed adhesive film, cut to shape with a fine knife and burnished down with a spatula. Deleter has supplied that workflow to Japanese manga artists for decades, and many artists still use it for its look — real printed dots with a crispness that digital tone imitates.
Choosing a tone
The percentage is how much of the sheet the dots cover: 5% is a very light grey, 30% a mid-grey. 60-line is a fine dot that reads as a smooth grey on the page. Most artists start with a light tone for skin and sky, a mid tone for clothing and shadow, and a gradation for backgrounds and light effects.
Honest Note:
Who is it For?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)
Which tones should I start with?
10% and a 30% dot cover most needs; add a gradation for backgrounds.
Do I need special tools?
A Tone Knife to cut and a Tone Hera to burnish give the cleanest results.
Can I scan work with screentone?
Yes — scan at high resolution to avoid moiré.