postscript printing

[kerppu]

Hi all!
I could use some help with clearing up some (basic) stuff about PS printing. I have always before sent the native files, but seems like I have to learn this...:o


What printer do I choose in my application? For example when I look at FreeHand on my machine there's only my own printer and Adobe PDF to choose from, but no mention of a PS printer.
If I download Postscript Printer drivers from Adobe's site, do I get more choises?

The right .ppd file I get from my printing agency, I suppose?

What's an .inf file (one of the printers site I looked at, wanted both the .inf and the .ppd file to be downloaded.)?

I have tried to find info about these things on the net but no one has been able to explain it simple enough...I would appreciate if someone could help!

Thank you in advance!
anna

[Vikia]

Can you select Adobe Distiller as your printer?

[urstwile]

What type of printer do you have?

Some printers don't print Postscript unless you a) buy software that will enable your applications to print Postscript to a non-Postscript printer or b) make a PDF out of the program you're using, and then print that to your printer.

["Technical" Terry]

On the Mac, in just about any program, I can click the "print" command and the print diolog box opens. In that, at the bottom left, is a button labled "pdf" with an arrow. When you click that, one of the options is "Save pdf as Postscript..."

[rickself]

Welcome kerppu!

1.) the .inf file is strictly for pc's, so if you're on a Mac, don't worry about that.

2.) If you ARE on a pc, download the .inf file and install the print driver. Go to Settings->Printer and Faxes->Add Printer. Define a new printer as Print to FIle and select the ppd you just installed or actually any ppd you have will work. You'll be able to change the ppd in your print options from within Freehand.

3.) When you select Print in Freehand, in the Printer pull down menu, select the Print to Disk printer you just defined in step 2, and select the ppd that you just installed. Check the Print to FIle box. You should now have all the settings that the specific printer uses.

Hope this helps!

[kerppu]

Well this really is a friendly place: three answers in no time :)! Thank you all, with your kind help I got it solved. And with the help of the Adobe printer driver installer I managed to install the printing agencys printer and ppd...and get it to show and be selected in Freehand. (And yes, I'm on a PC).

If you are not too tired of me already, I have another question I was just thinking about: Is there a way to define a spread in FH that i can output to print as two separate pages? (I have a centerfold with an object that spreads from the other page to the other.) Can I just make a BIG page and let the printerpeople slice it in half? :rolleyes:

Thanks again!
a

[doubting_thomas]

If you are not too tired of me already, I have another question I was just thinking about: Is there a way to define a spread in FH that i can output to print as two separate pages? (I have a centerfold with an object that spreads from the other page to the other.) Can I just make a BIG page and let the printerpeople slice it in half?
a

If it's a centerfold, you can make it the size of two pages + any
bleed that you need around the page. FH is one of the few
graphic applications that'll let you designate multiple page sizes
within one document.

Best bet though... call your printer/printer's prepress to make sure
what your doing is going to work when it comes time to output to
plate. People here can advise, but your printer is the one that matters
when the rubber hits the road.

[urstwile]

As doubtingthomas said, definitely speak to the printer who's going to be doing the work on your job.

[kerppu]

Thanks! I did as you advised and asked them, and they said its ok to make a bigger page along with normal sized pages. They will sort it out themself for the plates.

It's just so hard sometimes to ask about every little thing (don't know why; I'm a teacher and i always encourage people to ask and never find it annoying to answer any questions...).

But, everything just great now and I hope I'll be able to give back and to help out some one here in the future!

[doubting_thomas]

It's just so hard sometimes to ask about every little thing (don't know why; I'm a teacher and i always encourage people to ask and never find it annoying to answer any questions...).

Happy to help


Believe me, you are making everybody's life easier by asking questions
before starting on a project, especially if you are printing it offset. There's just too many variables. Almost every prepress operator worth their salt will be happy to help you when it comes to formatting questions.

The others make great waiters and cooks :p