Digital Prints

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Mastering Digital Printing
What about PostScript?
Adobe PostScript refers to both a page-description language and a processor that “interprets” PostScript data. PostScript files describe and locate
all bitmapped images, vector art, and type on a rectangular page by X and Y coordinates. You can create PostScript files by saving files created in
drawing and page-layout programs through a PostScript engine in your imaging application, or as a stand-alone application.
Do you need to be worried about PostScript? If you’re creating professional graphics, color separations, or contract proofs destined for the commercial
pre-press or printing industry, then yes, you’ll need to involve PostScript somewhere in your workflow. However, if you are printing normal
bitmapped files to your own non-PostScript printer (which is what most desktop inkjet printers are), you won’t need it.
If you’re dealing with PostScript files or files that have EPS graphics included, then you may need to have either a PostScript printer or add a
PostScript interpreter to the computer or the printer. Or, use what I like to call the “PDF PostScript RIParound” trick. PDF (“Portable
Document Format”) is a file format that is built on PostScript language. By taking your digital file and going through Adobe Acrobat and its
Distiller program, you can convert the file into a PDF that will render all EPS elements cleanly (see Figure 11.1).
Do You Need a RIP?
As with PostScript, it all depends. For normal desktop printing of bitmapped images, a
RIP is not required. But, if you want access to advanced color management with individual
ink limits and channel controls, if your files are very large or complex, if you need to
print to unusual output sizes, if you have PostScript elements in your file, or if your printing
crosses over into the commercial pre-press world at all, then you will want a RIP. In
general, the larger the printer, the more specialized the printing needs, and the more likely
a RIP will be appropriate.
Special Color Printing Software
There is another option that falls somewhere between the default printer drivers and
RIPs, and that is specialized color printing software. (For more about printing software
Figure 11.11 Top: bitmapped image
with type and EPS logo printed from
QuarkXPress to a non-PostScript inkjet
printer. Note jagged logo (arrow).
Bottom: same image except printed
from a PDF version of the same file.
Note how logo cleans up.