Create a device-independent postscript file – Adobe InDesign CS5 User Manual
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USING INDESIGN
Printing
Last updated 11/16/2011
A device- and driver-dependent PostScript file is ideally suited for proofing (by the designer) to desktop PostScript
printers. It can also be used by service providers who don't plan to do any prepress tasks to the job outside of InDesign
or the RIP system. In other words, if trapping is done, it happens in InDesign or at the RIP.
More Help topics
Choosing the right method for creating a PostScript file
Create a device-independent PostScript file
Select PostScript File in the Printer menu, and select Device Independent in the PPD menu. A device-independent
PostScript file has the following characteristics:
•
It is 100% DSC-compliant, making it ideal for such post-processing tasks as trapping and imposition.
•
All device and driver dependencies are removed, so that the file will print to almost any output device. However,
special printer features found in PPD files, such as image exposure, available media sizes, and optimized screen
frequencies, aren’t available in device-independent output.
•
The color output is always composite CMYK, but it also includes spot colors. As a result, it has to be separated in
post-processing software, or at the RIP using in-RIP separations.
•
It cannot be trapped by InDesign; trapping must occur at the RIP, or in post-processing software.
•
It can only be printed to file (not directly to a device or application) from InDesign.
A device-independent PostScript file is ideal for composite prepress workflows, where the file will be trapped and
separated later in the production process, such as during imposition, trapping, or at the RIP (if the output device
supports in-RIP separations).
1 Choose File
> Print.
2 In the Print dialog box, for Printer, choose PostScript File.
3 For PPD, choose Device Independent.
4 View or change existing print settings. InDesign uses the current page range when creating the PostScript file.
5 Click Save.
6 Specify a name and location, and click Save.
Create a device-dependent PostScript file using InDesign
Select PostScript File in the Printer menu, and select a PPD. A device-dependent PostScript file has the following
characteristics:
•
It is 100% DSC-compliant, making it ideal for such post-processing tasks as trapping and imposition.
•
It contains a description of everything in your document, including information about linked files, optimized
screen frequencies, resolution, and available media sizes tailored to the currently selected output device.
•
All driver dependencies are removed.
•
It can be composite or separated. All of the color output methods that InDesign supports are available. (In-RIP
separations are available if the PPD and output device support them.)
•
It can be trapped by InDesign (either by using Application Built-In or Adobe In-RIP Trapping).
•
It can only be printed to file (not directly to a device or application) from InDesign.