Singapore 1994-1997 Life On Coral Reef Identification

I need some help identifying the two different printings of the Life on Coral Reef issues.

The first printing was by Leigh-Mardon and the second by Questa. The first was litho and the second was engraved.

Scott gives no guidance on determining differences and SG gives tips on the high values for both (shading of text, eliptical size).

From other issues, Litho often has a dithering pattern and gravure does not.

What I would like to see side by side example of the lower value of both printings to see the difference.

I believe this is an example of the litho printings.

Nice scans. I tried to scan the two varieties together, but my Brother scanner at 300 dpi wasn't up to the task.

With the 20c value, the answer is easy, because there is no photogravure printed 20c stamp. So, this is offset printed. What is confusing you is that the colors are not aligned perfectly, giving the impression that there are the characteristic "sawtooth" edges of a photogravure stamp.

With the two printings, you will see a difference in paper surface. The offset printed stamps have an overall even, smooth surface. With the photogravure printed stamps, some surfaces, the more heavily inked places, will be shinier...much like a color laser print.

There will be the typical printing difference. The edges of printing will be sharp on the offset printed stamps...except for the misaligned colors such as your 20c stamp. With the photogravure printings, the edges will look very fuzzy under 10x magnification.

Sorry I couldn't provide a scan. As I said, my printer/scanner just isn't good enough to show the differences.

p.s. I can send you a reference stamp of the photogravure printing if you need one. It would be the 50c value, the easiest one to find.