Selecting PostScript Printer Description files


    To define the output device for printing or creating a separation, you select the PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file that corresponds to your PostScript printer or imagesetter. (You can only create separations with a PostScript device.) This fills the Print dialog box with the available settings for the output device.

    Note the following:

    • A PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file isn't the same as a printer driver; rather, it customizes the behavior of the driver for your specific printer. A PPD file contains information about the output device, including printer-resident fonts, available media sizes and orientation, optimized screen frequencies, screen angles, resolution, and color output capabilities.
    • Illustrator uses the information in the PPD file to determine which PostScript information to send to the printer when printing a document. For example, Illustrator assumes that the fonts listed in your PPD file reside in the printer, so they are not downloaded when you print, unless you explicitly include them.

    Note: Certain PPD features commonly found in imagesetter PPDs won't be accessible from the Illustrator Print dialog box. To set those printer-specific features, click Setup (Windows) or Printer (Mac OS) in the Print dialog box.

    • For best printing results, Adobe recommends that you obtain the latest version of the PPD file for your output device from the manufacturer. Many prepress service providers and commercial printers have PPDs for the imagesetters they use.
    • Be sure to store PPDs in the location specified by the operating system. For details, consult the documentation for your operating system.

To select a PPD:

  1. Choose File > Print.
  2. Choose one of the following from the PPD menu:
    • A PPD that corresponds to the output device you use to print the document.
    • Device Independent. This option is only available if you are printing to a PostScript file and are not using a specific PPD related to a printer.
    • Other to locate a custom PPD, such as one provided by your service bureau for use with the specified printer. The PPD's filename corresponds to the printer's or imagesetter's name and model, and may display a .ppd file extension (depending on how your system is set up). Navigate to the PPD you want, select it, and click Open.