File Conversion
- To PS<top>
- For Windows:<top>
- Create directory on a drive that you will be using and call it something obvious. In the below, the directory created was on the C: drive and named psfiles. Its path is therefore C:\psfiles.
- Download this compressed PPD file. It is a zipped ppd file. Unzip this archive, and place the resulting file in the newly created directory.
- Open this page,
select download, download the file, and install it, using the following instructions as your guide:
- Double click the install file.
- When it asks whether the printer you want to set up is a local or network one, select local.
- When it asks what printer port, select "FILE:" without the paranthesis.
- When it asks for what model of printer or for a ppd file, it will have a browse or locate button. Click this button.
- Go to the directory you made in step 1, and select the ppd file you placed in the directory in step 2.
- When it asks about sharing, you can share or not share the printer, it won't matter if everything you are doing is on the local machine (which is all this tutorial addresses).
- When it asks about the name of the printer, name it whatever will be obvious or leave it at its default, which is just fine.
- Select the options for it not to print a test page and for it to not become your default printer (you don't want to mess with your current setup of printers and defaults).
- Finally, hit the install button after navigating through a bunch of useless windows. Wait and when it is done move on.
- Go to the program you wish you print out of, select the printer you created in step 3
through the installation process by the name you called it in step 3g. Prepare publication
to print by setting options appropriate to the program, which may require you going into the
settings of the printer by pressing properties next to the printer name. Many options are
available and this setup is very dependent on the software you are running and the piece you
want printed, so specific options will not be addressed, but general options that are often
available include (followed by the correct setting; note: these settings are right for nearly
all pieces, although there are exceptions; chances are, however, that if you don't know you
need something different, you don't):
- Resolution (DPI, etc)
- 2400
- Screen (LPI, etc)
- 175 (except for web, enter 150 for web)
- Composite/Separate
- If creating subsequent pdf, use composite so it can be viewed, otherwise use separate if you only want a ps file.
- Page Size
- Make at least 1/4" inch larger than trim size of page in both directions
- Centering (page placement, etc)
- Center page in print boundaries
- Bleed Size
- 1/8" at least
- Marks (printer marks, registration marks, etc...)
- We prefer them off, but we can work with them on; however, make sure they won't get into the trim size of the page (the reason why we prefer them off, if they aren't there, then there certainly will not be a problem with them being in the right place)
- Preserve transfer function
- Generally, this is not necessary and may cause problems
- Overprint EPS Black
- Normally, select this option
- After setting these options, hit print. A dialog box will come up asking for a file name, type in the path to the directory you created in step and what you wish to call the file with a .ps extension. So if I was using the directory I created in step 1 and wanted to call the file BrenBro (for Brenner Brochure...see naming conventions if you are unsure what to name it), I would enter in this box "C:\psfiles\BrenBro.ps" without the paranthesis.
- After the program finishes printing the file, your completed ps file will be in the above directory under the file name you gave it.
- For Mac:<top>
- For Windows:<top>
- To PDF<top>
PDF creation using Adobe Distiller is very easy. Open Distiller, set to "Press Optimized", and then open the ps file you created and a PDF will be automatically made.
See the following for a description of how to export of programs that have internal PDF exporting capabilities: