- This document is for HP printers and Apple macOS or OS X operating systems. Check to see if a driver or app is available to use your HP printer with a Mac computer or laptop. Note: On iOS and macOS, most HP printers work with Apple AirPrint to provide full-quality printing without the need to download or install drivers.
- Apple Macintosh. The original ATM was created for the Apple Macintosh computer platform to scale PostScript Type 1 fonts for the computer monitor, and for printing to non-PostScript printers. Mac Type 1 fonts come with screen fonts set to display at certain point sizes only. In Macintosh operating systems prior to Mac OS X, Type 1 fonts set at other sizes would appear jagged on the monitor.
I have a Docucentre C4350 Fuji Xerox printer which does not have postscript installed. The normal drivers from Fuji assume you have Postscript installed. OS X Show sub menu. Gmail & Mavericks. You need to Choose ‘Select Software' then choose the ‘FX Print Driver for Mac OS X v1.3' that.
If you're creating an Adobe Acrobat PDF to send to your printer from Adobe InDesign, it's now best to avoid Acrobat Distiller. These days, there is no reason a printer should be asking you do use it. And frankly, if they're making such a request, you may want to find an updated printer.
When you're ready to send your InDesign document to print, there are three main ways you can deliver your file: delivering the file in its native InDesign format, delivering the file as a print-ready PDF, or delivering a Postscript file.
Regardless of the file you choose to deliver, always make sure that you've double checked everything in your document before saving the final version. Once the document goes to the printer, it'll be much more difficult (and expensive) to make changes.
If you decide to send the InDesign file, be careful. It's impossible to know what version of InDesign your printer is running (even though InDesign boasts backward compatibility, a perfect translation between versions isn't guaranteed). Will your provider set up the registration marks correctly? Do they have the same versions of the fonts you've used? At the very least, your text may change if your file is opened in a version other than the version in which you created your document.
Instead of creating a Postscript file and then distilling it, you can simply export a PDF from InDesign (specifically 'Export' — don't use the PDF printer driver). Most printers these days actually prefer not to receive Postscript files, and request PDFs instead.
Many printers won't accept Postscript files at all because there's too much room for error. It's too easy for clients to make errors when creating Postscript files. Plus, changes are more difficult to make once the document is written as Postscript, so PDF seems to be the way to go.
Creating Postscript in Mac OS X Using InDesign
There used to be a different process to use Adobe InDesign for creating a Postscript file (.ps file) on a Mac, but with recent updates in technology and software technology, it's a much simpler process. Also, PDF files are generally preferred these days. But if you have to create a Postscript file, the Print Dialog box will be your best friend.
InDesign Print Dialog Settings
It's always better to set printer driver settings from within the Print Dialog box, as opposed to modifying the driver (oftentimes, the same settings are duplicated in both places, and it's best to avoid possible override confusion and conflicts. InDesign is able to accurately print to other printers, but prefers Postscript 3 and the PDF print engine. They're Adobe's printing technologies, after all, so it makes sense!
When making your printer selection from the Print Dialog box, InDesign will look at the PPD for any printer you choose, which it will display in the PPD popup menu. If you want to create/save a Postscript file instead of printing directly to a physical printer, you'll choose 'Postscript file' from the Printer popup menu. You'll then need to choose a PPD file that describes your output device (assuming you know it), or choose 'Device Independent.'
What Does 'Device-Independent PostScript' Mean?
- You'll get a '100% DSC-compliant' file, which means that your file will be able to support any required functions (like trapping or imposition) post-processing
- You'll have a file that will print to just about any output device, because all dependencies on specific devices or drivers have been stripped. (That said, if you need to take advantage of any special printer features like different media sizes or screen frequencies, you won't be able to choose Device Independent Postscript.)
- The file will need color separations created in post-processing software (or at the RIP, with in-RIP separations), because the color output includes spot colors AND composite CMYK.
- Any trapping you want will have to happen at the RIP or through post-processing software. InDesign won't allow trapping in a Device-Independent Postscript file.
- InDesign can only print a Device-Independent Postscript to a file. This file format can't be used if you're going directly to another device or application.
- If trapping and separations will happen later in the production process (like during imposition, trapping, or at the RIP), Device-independent PostScript file is a solid choice.
Steps to Create Your Postscript File on a Mac with InDesign
- If you don't already have your file open in Adobe InDesign, now's the time to open it.
- If you're ready to create your Postscript file, open the Print Dialog box (Cmd + P) or File → Print
- In the 'Printer' dropdown, choose 'Postscript file'.
- A 'PPD' dropdown will appear right under the 'Printer' dropdown. Select 'Device Independent' unless you have another PPD you've been told to use.
- Navigate to the ''Graphics' tab in the left hand menu and choose either Level 2 or Level 3 (if you don't need to use level 2, just keep it set to Level 3).
- Click the 'Save' button at the bottom right of the Print Dialog box, and you'll then be prompted to choose where to save your Postscript file. Be sure to change the file extension to '.ps' even though it defaults to '.indd'.
- If you forget to change the file extension, don't worry; InDesign will prompt you with the following error popup:
Using a PPD from Your Printer
If you‘re being required to create a Postscript printer file, your chosen printer may have actually given you a specific PPD to use for file setup. If you've already installed a specific PPD on your Mac and don't see it as an option in the PPD popup menu, you may need to first decompress it (using an application such as Stuffit Expander).
Okay, So What About Encapsulated Postscript?
Encapsulated Postscript (EPS) is still widely used, but it's quite an outdated file format. EPS is no longer evolving, and because Adobe Creative Cloud and Creative Suite software has become the industry standard, it makes more sense to use Adobe's native formats instead. Adobe has made it seamless and simple to place files from one of its applications into the next and the Adobe file size tends to be both smaller and editable.
Continuing to use EPS as an intermediate file format just doesn't make practical sense. It may be easier to use EPS files with non-Adobe applications, but most up-to-date printers have Adobe on hand.
That said, if you have folders and folders of old EPS files on hand, you don't have to trash them. Adobe's Dov Isaacs promised (via the PrintPlanet website) that Adobe will support EPS as a legacy graphics format, even though using EPS format isn't recommended.
Printing for Less (PFL) has been an industry leader and provider of high-quality, unique printing services since 1996. Though we are a large company with customers across the globe, we treat our customers with the attention and care you'd expect from a luxury printing boutique. From business cards and banners to letterhead, flyers, and beyond — PFL knows printing like no other. Let's talk about your project! Our print consultants are available 7am-7pm MT Monday through Friday at (800) 930-7978.
Question
I don't own a postscript printer but need to create postscript files to send to my printing service and to create PDF? Files using Distiller or PStill . How do I do that?
Requirements
Minimum: Any version of Mac OS? X
Recommended: Mac OX Tiger or newer
Background
A Virtual Printer is what you're looking for. In essence, a Virtual Printer fakes out your Macintosh to think it actually has the printer connected. In POX days (Pre OS X) you used an application called Desktop Printer Utility (free from Apple) to make the Virtual Printer. Well, in OS X it's pretty much the same thing only we us an application called Print Center (Jaguar OS 10.2) or Printer Setup Utility (choose Applications > Utlities > Printer Setup Utility) in Panther and Tiger.
In addition to letting you create Postscript files, a Virtual Printer can be a great way to gain access to larger sheet sizes or full bleed sheets sizes such as 8.5x11, 11x17 or 36x48 inches or larger (see our related article here ). Remember, every printer has a different printable area (hard clipping limit) . So, even if you don't need to make Postscript files, but just want access to different sheet sizes, full bleed or large sheets, creating a virtual printer with those properties is a cheap (free) way to get those features.
What To Do
We'll use a simple example and create a Virtual Printer for an Apple LaserWriter. However, the same steps may be used to create a Virtual Printer for large format printers and plotters such as an HP5500 or HP1055.
We've provided all the verbose steps here along with demonstration movies. However, Apple also provides this summary article and additional information may also be found in your Mac OS help files.
To create the Virtual Printer, do this:
- Launch the Printer Setup Utility application (located on your hard drive -> Applications folder -> Utilities folder )
- Click once on the ADD button
- Choose IP Printing from the pop up (or LPD/LPR)
- Choose Internet Printing Protocol from the Printer Type pop up
- Type localhost in the Printer Address field (localhost is all one word)
- Leave the Queue Name field blank
- Choose a printer type from the Printer Model pop up (e.g. Apple)
- Choose a postscript printer model name from the scrolling list and press the ADD button
- A new item named localhost is added to your list of printers
- Click once on localhost in the printer list
- Click once on the Show Info button
- Enter a new, meaningful, name in the Printer Name field
- Press the Apply Changes button
- Close the Printer Info dialog
You're done! You may now use the printer to make a Postscript file.
Here is an example of these steps in live action (1.7MB QuickTime Movie). (Need Movie Help?)
Note: In step eight when you choose a printer from the list, what your are actually choosing is the PPD? (Postscript Printer Description) file for that particular brand of printer. The PPD contains the information your Mac needs to describe all the features of a particular printer such as sheet size, full bleed, color options, etc.. Mac OS X ships with hundreds of PPD files for a wide range of printers. If you don't see a particular printer description in the list, you can also download PPD files from various printer manufacture's or have one sent to you from a printing service bureau. Mac OS X keeps the PPD files here: YourComputerHardDrive/Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources/en.lproj folder (note en.lproj contains the English files, if you're working in another select the language folder of your choice).
To use the Virtual Printer to create a Postscript File, do this:
Windows 10 Postscript Printer Driver
- Open the document to be printed
- Choose File menu > Page Setup
- Select your Virtual Printer from the list of printers
- Choose a page size, orientation and press OK
- Choose File menu > Print...
- Choose your virtual printer from the list of printers
- Choose Output Options from the pop up menu
- Click to check the Save File As check box
- Choose Postscript from the pop up menu
- Press SAVE
The postscript file is saved to the location you specify. The postscript file may be sent to a printer or used to create a PDF file using Adobe Acrobat Distiller , PStill or other Postscript to PDF conversion applications.
Here is an example of these steps in live action (1.1MB QuickTime Movie). (Need Movie Help?)
- In the 'Printer' dropdown, choose 'Postscript file'.
- A 'PPD' dropdown will appear right under the 'Printer' dropdown. Select 'Device Independent' unless you have another PPD you've been told to use.
- Navigate to the ''Graphics' tab in the left hand menu and choose either Level 2 or Level 3 (if you don't need to use level 2, just keep it set to Level 3).
- Click the 'Save' button at the bottom right of the Print Dialog box, and you'll then be prompted to choose where to save your Postscript file. Be sure to change the file extension to '.ps' even though it defaults to '.indd'.
- If you forget to change the file extension, don't worry; InDesign will prompt you with the following error popup:
Using a PPD from Your Printer
If you‘re being required to create a Postscript printer file, your chosen printer may have actually given you a specific PPD to use for file setup. If you've already installed a specific PPD on your Mac and don't see it as an option in the PPD popup menu, you may need to first decompress it (using an application such as Stuffit Expander).
Okay, So What About Encapsulated Postscript?
Encapsulated Postscript (EPS) is still widely used, but it's quite an outdated file format. EPS is no longer evolving, and because Adobe Creative Cloud and Creative Suite software has become the industry standard, it makes more sense to use Adobe's native formats instead. Adobe has made it seamless and simple to place files from one of its applications into the next and the Adobe file size tends to be both smaller and editable.
Continuing to use EPS as an intermediate file format just doesn't make practical sense. It may be easier to use EPS files with non-Adobe applications, but most up-to-date printers have Adobe on hand.
That said, if you have folders and folders of old EPS files on hand, you don't have to trash them. Adobe's Dov Isaacs promised (via the PrintPlanet website) that Adobe will support EPS as a legacy graphics format, even though using EPS format isn't recommended.
Printing for Less (PFL) has been an industry leader and provider of high-quality, unique printing services since 1996. Though we are a large company with customers across the globe, we treat our customers with the attention and care you'd expect from a luxury printing boutique. From business cards and banners to letterhead, flyers, and beyond — PFL knows printing like no other. Let's talk about your project! Our print consultants are available 7am-7pm MT Monday through Friday at (800) 930-7978.
Question
I don't own a postscript printer but need to create postscript files to send to my printing service and to create PDF? Files using Distiller or PStill . How do I do that?
Requirements
Minimum: Any version of Mac OS? X
Recommended: Mac OX Tiger or newer
Background
A Virtual Printer is what you're looking for. In essence, a Virtual Printer fakes out your Macintosh to think it actually has the printer connected. In POX days (Pre OS X) you used an application called Desktop Printer Utility (free from Apple) to make the Virtual Printer. Well, in OS X it's pretty much the same thing only we us an application called Print Center (Jaguar OS 10.2) or Printer Setup Utility (choose Applications > Utlities > Printer Setup Utility) in Panther and Tiger.
In addition to letting you create Postscript files, a Virtual Printer can be a great way to gain access to larger sheet sizes or full bleed sheets sizes such as 8.5x11, 11x17 or 36x48 inches or larger (see our related article here ). Remember, every printer has a different printable area (hard clipping limit) . So, even if you don't need to make Postscript files, but just want access to different sheet sizes, full bleed or large sheets, creating a virtual printer with those properties is a cheap (free) way to get those features.
What To Do
We'll use a simple example and create a Virtual Printer for an Apple LaserWriter. However, the same steps may be used to create a Virtual Printer for large format printers and plotters such as an HP5500 or HP1055.
We've provided all the verbose steps here along with demonstration movies. However, Apple also provides this summary article and additional information may also be found in your Mac OS help files.
To create the Virtual Printer, do this:
- Launch the Printer Setup Utility application (located on your hard drive -> Applications folder -> Utilities folder )
- Click once on the ADD button
- Choose IP Printing from the pop up (or LPD/LPR)
- Choose Internet Printing Protocol from the Printer Type pop up
- Type localhost in the Printer Address field (localhost is all one word)
- Leave the Queue Name field blank
- Choose a printer type from the Printer Model pop up (e.g. Apple)
- Choose a postscript printer model name from the scrolling list and press the ADD button
- A new item named localhost is added to your list of printers
- Click once on localhost in the printer list
- Click once on the Show Info button
- Enter a new, meaningful, name in the Printer Name field
- Press the Apply Changes button
- Close the Printer Info dialog
You're done! You may now use the printer to make a Postscript file.
Here is an example of these steps in live action (1.7MB QuickTime Movie). (Need Movie Help?)
Note: In step eight when you choose a printer from the list, what your are actually choosing is the PPD? (Postscript Printer Description) file for that particular brand of printer. The PPD contains the information your Mac needs to describe all the features of a particular printer such as sheet size, full bleed, color options, etc.. Mac OS X ships with hundreds of PPD files for a wide range of printers. If you don't see a particular printer description in the list, you can also download PPD files from various printer manufacture's or have one sent to you from a printing service bureau. Mac OS X keeps the PPD files here: YourComputerHardDrive/Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources/en.lproj folder (note en.lproj contains the English files, if you're working in another select the language folder of your choice).
To use the Virtual Printer to create a Postscript File, do this:
Windows 10 Postscript Printer Driver
- Open the document to be printed
- Choose File menu > Page Setup
- Select your Virtual Printer from the list of printers
- Choose a page size, orientation and press OK
- Choose File menu > Print...
- Choose your virtual printer from the list of printers
- Choose Output Options from the pop up menu
- Click to check the Save File As check box
- Choose Postscript from the pop up menu
- Press SAVE
The postscript file is saved to the location you specify. The postscript file may be sent to a printer or used to create a PDF file using Adobe Acrobat Distiller , PStill or other Postscript to PDF conversion applications.
Here is an example of these steps in live action (1.1MB QuickTime Movie). (Need Movie Help?)
Summary
Now that you're finished, you can use this new virtual printer as if it was connected to your computer. Just remember when you're printing to pick this printer from the Printer pop down menu. And don't forget to choose to save the file as a Postscript or PDF using the Output Options pop down menu (other wise you'll be waiting an awfully long time for your computer to somehow try and find the specified printer, or perhaps it can grow one?)
This Apple Knowledge Base article also contains helpful information and related links which discuss which printer PPD's and print drivers are installed with Mac OS X (Panther or Jaguar)
If all of the above steps seem rather long, don't forget it only take a few minutes to setup and you're away to the races. The beauty of this technique is you change the Virtual Printer at any time or create as many as you like. With a Virtual Printer you can have a HP2500 today, an HP5000ps tomorrow or an Epson the week after that.
Postscript Printer Driver For Pc
We hope that helps
caddpower.com
List Of Postscript Printers
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