If you want to save changes to the Print dialog box but don’t want to print, consider clicking the
Save Preset button to save the settings as a print preset.
Setting up PostScript output paths
InDesign CS2 provides comprehensive control over PostScript output. You can include or exclude device-specific and driver-specific PostScript code along with the PostScript generated by InDesign. These choices makes it easier to tune PostScript files to match the requirements of your downstream hardware or software. You set up each workflow by choosing the Printer and
PPD in the Print dialog box. The following table summarizes how to set up different kinds of
PostScript output paths; the rest of this section describes each path’s purpose and setup in detail.
TO G EN ER ATE :
Driver- and device-independent PS
Driver-independent, device-specific PS
Driver- and device-specific to device
Driver- and device-specific PS
S E T PR I NTE R M E N U TO :
PostScript® File
PostScript® File
<device name>
<device name>
Click Printer button (or Setup on
Windows) and make sure that a file is targeted
SE T PPD M EN U TO :
Device-independent
<device PPD>
(dimmed, uses printer setup)
(dimmed, uses printer setup)
Any output path that generates PostScript files can be directed to a drop folder for further processing by another workflow application, such as Acrobat Distiller. When you create a
PostScript file, you’ll be asked to specify a folder location; that’s when you can specify a drop folder.
InDesign PostScript file, driver and device independent
PostScript generated by: Adobe InDesign only
Device targeted: None
Implications of this output path:
• Ideal for prepress workflows where the output will be post-processed (for example, imposed or trapped).
• 100% DSC compliant.
• Completely device independent.
• Composite CMYK with spot colors. Colors must be separated and trapped later in the workflow.
• Can only be printed to a file, not directly to a device.
Note: Because this output path is driver- and device-independent, it cannot assume what paper sizes are available at the output device.
To set up an InDesign driver- and device-independent PostScript file:
1 In the Print dialog box, choose PostScript® File from the Printer pop-up menu.
2 Choose Device Independent from the PPD pop-up menu. Device Independent is the first item in the menu.
Printer and PPD menus set up for InDesign device- and driver-independent PostScript output
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InDesign PostScript file, driver independent and device dependent
PostScript generated by: Adobe InDesign only
Device targeted: By PPD only
Implications of this output path:
• Useful for preseparated workflows that will be imposed later, to control Adobe
In-RIP Trapping from InDesign, or to use InDesign’s built-in trapping. In-RIP separations and Adobe In-RIP trapping are available only if you select a PPD that supports them.
• Special printer features supported by the PPD are not available. To use them, use a
PostScript output path that uses a printer driver.
• As DSC-compliant as the InDesign PostScript driver- and device-independent workflow, and able to target a specific device.
• Contains device-specific information for line screens, media sizes, and resolutions.
• Supports all output color modes (composite or separated), including composite
CMYK with spot colors, if you select a PPD that supports these capabilities.
• Can be trapped from InDesign when separations are specified in the Output panel of the Print dialog box.
• Can only be printed to a file, not directly to a device.
To set up an InDesign driver-independent and device-dependent PostScript file:
1 In the Print dialog box, choose PostScript® File from the Printer pop-up menu.
2 Choose a device name from the PPD pop-up menu.
Printer and PPD menus set up for InDesign driver-independent, device-dependent output
AdobePS/PostScript 5 driver PostScript file (Windows)
PostScript generated by: Both Adobe InDesign and the AdobePS printer driver
Device targeting: By a printer preconfigured in the operating system
Implications of this output path:
• Useful if your shop handles all prepress tasks at the RIP, such as when printing to a digital press or when the RIP system is capable of trapping, OPI image replacement, and imposition. Also useful for proofing by the customer. If any prepress tasks are to be done later in the workflow, another output path may be more effective.
• Contains device-specific information for line screens, media sizes, and resolutions, along with support for driver-specific features for a specific output device. This results in more support for direct printing and less compatibility with devices other than the one targeted by the driver.
• Highly DSC compliant. However, not as DSC compliant as the InDesign PostScript file workflows.
• Supports all output color modes (composite or separated).
• Can use InDesign to set up built-in trapping or Adobe In-RIP Trapping.
• Can be printed to a file or directly to a device.
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To set up an AdobePS driver- and device-dependent PostScript output path:
In the Print dialog box, choose a printer from the Printer pop-up menu. The PPD menu will automatically display the name of the PPD used to set up the printer. If you want to target a different PPD, from the Printer pop-up menu choose a printer that uses the PPD you want. If an appropriate printer isn’t listed, set it up using the Add Printer wizard.
Printer and PPD menus set up for AdobePS driver-dependent, device-dependent output
Apple driver PostScript® file (Mac OS X)
The Apple Mac OS X printer driver produces PostScript that is DSC compliant and as flexible as the AdobePS output path. The technical implications of this output path are identical to those listed for the Windows AdobePS/PostScript 5 driver workflow above.
To set up an Apple driver- and device-dependent PostScript file on Mac OS X:
1 In the Print dialog box, choose a printer from the Printer pop-up menu.
Printer and PPD menus set up for Apple driver-dependent, device-dependent output
The PPD menu automatically displays the name of the PPD used to set up the printer. If you want to target a different PPD, from the Printer pop-up menu choose a printer that uses the
PPD you want. If an appropriate printer isn’t listed, set it up using the Mac OS X Printer Setup
Utility application.
2 Click the Printer button at the bottom of the Print dialog box, and set the Destination to File.
Specify any other necessary device-specific options as needed, and click Save.
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Save as File option turned on in the Apple driver- and device-dependent output path in Mac OS X.
3 Click Print or Save. InDesign is now set up to use the Apple driver to output PostScript to a file.
Note: InDesign CS2 does not support the Preview option in the Mac OS X Print dialog box. The
PDF documents it produces are low-resolution and not suitable for prepress. Instead, use any of
InDesign’s preview features, such as Preview mode, Overprint Preview, Separations Preview, or
Proof Colors.
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