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How to Use a PostScript Printer

PostScript drivers deliver professional-grade, high-resolution output

By Jacci Howard Bear Jacci Howard Bear Writer A graphic designer, writer, and artist who writes about and teaches print and web design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 18, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Accessories & Hardware Printers & Scanners Guide To Buying a New Printer The Quick Guide to Webcams Keyboards & Mice Monitors Cards HDD & SSD Raspberry Pi PostScript printers use the PostScript programming language from Adobe. Commercial printing companies, advertising agencies, and large in-house graphics departments likely use state-of-the-art PostScript printers. Desktop publishers in homes and small offices rarely need such a powerful printer. Here's a look at why PostScript printers are the publishing industry's standard, and why you may not need one if you print only simple documents. PostScript 3 is the current version of the Adobe printer language. It's been the industry standard for high-quality professional printing since 1997. scanrail / Getty Images

PostScript Translates Images and Shapes Into Data

PostScript was developed by Adobe engineers. It's a page-description language that translates images and complicated shapes from computer software into data, turning out high-quality prints on a PostScript printer. Not all printers are PostScript printers. However, all printers use a printer driver to translate digital documents created by software into an image that the printer can print. Another page description language is Printer Control Language (PCL), which is used in many small home and office printers. Many modern printers include drivers that emulate PostScript. Some documents, such as those created by graphic designers and commercial printing companies, contain an intricate combination of fonts and graphics that are best described using PostScript. The PostScript language and a PostScript printer driver tell the printer how to print that document accurately. PostScript is generally device-independent. If you create a PostScript file, it prints the same on any PostScript device.

Who Should Invest in a PostScript Printer

If you only type business letters, draw simple graphs, or print photographs, you don't need the power of PostScript. For simple text and graphics, a non-PostScript printer driver is sufficient. A PostScript printer is a good investment for graphic artists who routinely send designs to a commercial printing company for output, or who make presentations of their work for clients and want to display the best prints possible. A PostScript printer delivers accurate copies of digital files, so people can view how complicated processes look on paper. Complex files that involve transparency, many fonts, complicated filters, and other high-end effects print accurately on a PostScript printer, but not so much on a non-PostScript printer. Portable Document Format (PDF) is based on the PostScript language. One of the two primary graphics formats used in desktop publishing is Encapsulated PostScript (EPS), which is a form of PostScript. You need a PostScript printer to print EPS images. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What to Consider Before Buying a New Printer How to Print in Black and White on Mac How To Open .PUB Files Without Microsoft Publisher How to Print to PDF How to Print From an iPad What Is a Knockout in Graphics, Prepress, and Printing? The Best Mac Desktop Publishing Software of 2022 What Is Desktop Publishing Software? How to Connect a Printer to a Laptop How to Find the Printer on Your Network in Windows 11 How to Print From an Android Phone Brother HL-L8360CDW: The Professional Grade Printer your Office Needs What Is a Device Driver? How to Fix Printer Spooler Errors in Windows 10 Epson Workforce WF-7720 Review: 13” x 19” Format at a High Cost The 10 Best Printers of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies