How do I...? Service Bureaus Why...? Concepts

How do I...?

How do I print a document?

To print an open document, choose Print from the File menu. Select options from the Print dialog box and click Print. Alternatively, click on the Printer button of the toolbar to open the Print dialog box.

Before you can print, you must customize your printer options by choosing the Print Setup command from the File menu in PageStream.

How do I print in color?

Choose Print from the File menu to display the Print dialog box. Select Color from the Method pop-up menu. Click OK.

How do I print to a PostScript printer?

Before you can print to a PostScript printer, you must select a PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file matching your printer.

A few common PPD files are included with PageStream for Amiga. PPD files are included with all PostScript printers. Look on the disks that came with your printer for the PPD file, or contact your printer manufacturer for assistance. MacOS includes PPDs for most of the Apple LaserWriter printers; they are stored in System Folder:Extension:Printer Descriptions.

To select a PPD for PageStream, choose the Print Setup command from the File menu to display the Print Setup dialog box. Click on the Browse (>>) button beside the PPD text box. A file selector will appear to select a PPD file. Select a PPD file and click OK. Click Save or Use in Print Setup.

How do I print a PostScript file to disk?

Choose Print Setup from the File menu to display the Print Setup dialog box. Select PostScript File from the Send To pop-up menu. Click Save or Use.

Service Bureaus

Using a Service Bureau

There are two ways to print your documents using a service bureau's printer or imagesetter:

• If the service bureau has PageStream installed, they can take your PageStream document and print it to your specifications. To do this, the service bureau must have all the fonts and external graphics you used in the document.
• You can print your document to disk as a PostScript file. Your service bureau can then send this file directly to their PostScript printer or imagesetter.

To send a PostScript file from a Macintosh computer to a PostScript printer or imagesetter:

Drag the PostScript file onto a desktop printer icon.

If you do not have MacOS 7.5 or newer, you must use the Apple LaserWriter Font Utility which comes with MacOS but is not installed automatically.

To send a PostScript file from a Windows computer to a PostScript printer or imagesetter:

Open a DOS prompt. Type: COPY FILENAME /B LPT1:

FILENAME is the name of the PostScript file to copy. LPT1: is the most common printer port-you may need to change this.

To send a PostScript file from an AmigaOS computer to a PostScript printer or imagesetter:

Open a shell. Type: COPY FILENAME PAR:

FILENAME is the name of the PostScript file to copy. PAR: is the name of the parallel port device. You may need to change this.

Choosing a service bureau

When choosing a service bureau, use the following criteria to help make your decision:

1. Can they print PageStream documents directly? Ask if they have PageStream.

2. Ask if they accept PostScript files. Any service bureau worth your money will accept these. If they don't know how to deal with them, choose a different service bureau.

Why...?

Why does my printer print mirrored?

Check to ensure you have selected the correct PPD file for your printer with the Browse (ª) button next to the PPD text box in the Print dialog box. Without a PPD file, or with the incorrect PPD file, it is possible for a printer to print PageStream documents mirrored when they shouldn't.

Concepts

PostScript printers

PostScript printers use the PostScript® printer control language developed by Adobe Systems Inc. PostScript is a method of describing a page to a printer. The PostScript interpreter in a printer understands the commands and renders the text and objects to the page.

PostScript printers can image a page much faster than a non-PostScript printer. All of PageStream's features may be used with PostScript printers, whereas some features such as shape fills and EPS illustrations require a PostScript printer.

In general, most inkjet printers do not have PostScript interpreters, although some highend models offer a PostScript option. Some laser printers such as Apple's Personal LaserWriter series are Quickdraw printers, while others are PostScript.

We highly recommend PostScript printers for use with PageStream. PostScript is almost mandatory for professional use.

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