EPS vs PS

[Georgina]

Can anyone help please? Printers have just supplied a .ps file rather than the requested .eps. What are the benefits of .ps?

[rickself]

A postscript file contains the fonts, resolution any printer specifiec information that would come from the print driver used. An eps does not. For that reason, when a client wants to send a ps file, I send them the print driver specific to the job or press it will run on.

[Broacher]

Rick,

An eps can certainly contain fonts. Printer specific information isn't necessarily a great thing for handoff. It can even get in the way, for some things. The big difference is that PS files can contain multiple pages whereas an EPS cannot. Also, EPS have the option of containing a preview for placement in layout apps, and PS files don't (though it's not such a big deal with apps like ID that can generate them on import).

And of course, there are lots of weird exceptions in both formats waiting to be discovered by the prepress adventurer. (Usually at around two minutes to midnight, two hours past deadline)

[Georgina]

Thanks! That helps.

[rickself]

You're right Broacher.
That's what I get for answering before my first Mocha!

EPS can contain fonts. Unless, of course, we're talking about a Quark eps.

If your printer is asking for a ps file, make sure and get their ppd (print driver) from them and installed correctly. Have them tell you about setting p bleed, whether they want you to have makrs on the page, etc. Don't assume anything. The prepress guy will appreciate your questions.

[Broacher]

Even Quark EPSs can contain fonts. I know there was a third-party font embedded extension way back in ver. 4 that allowed you to do this, and if I'm not mistaken, it's now a standard option in the EPS export box.