A method for enhancing appearance of a halftone image (204) for imaging on a flexographic plate (108) includes retrieving the halftone image from a data storage device (132); setting a minimal dot size value for printing; analyzing the halftone image with a computer (130); detecting areas (404) in the halftone image populated with a plurality of dots smaller than the minimal dot size value; replacing the plurality of dots with a reduced set of dots wherein each of the reduced set of dots are larger in size (504) than the plurality of dots and wherein each of the reduced set of dots maintains an original geometric characteristics of the plurality of dots; and saving the reduced set of dots.