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Designjets with Adobe PostScript capability

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What is it?

A Designjet series will often have a number of different options for you to choose from.  For example, some are available in 2 different sizes - for A1 or A0 size printing - while others offer PostScript or non-PostScript options (the latter being the cheaper option).  Typically you will see 'ps' after the printer name e.g. Designjet T790ps.  The printers with a PostScript option essentially ensures that your print jobs - simple or complex, big or small - look exactly as you intended.  

What is Adobe PostScript?

Adobe PostScript is a programming language first introduced by Adobe Systems in 1985.  It allows you to print any document, graphic, text, images and colour at the very highest quality possible, from any computing platform to any supported device.  This revolutionised the printing industry and it continues to set the global printing and imaging standard.

Why don't all Designjets have Adobe PostScript?

Combining the Adobe PostScript RIP software with HP Designjet printing technology makes it easy to produce impressive and effective prints as PostScript capability offers increased efficiency, quality, versatility and accuracy over non-PostScript machines.  However, some customers simply don't require this higher level of print capability, so costs can be kept lower by supplying a non-PostScript printer.  Part of the reduction in costs is due to the fact that when using Adobe PostScript in their Designjet products, HP have to pay a licence fee to Adobe.  They do this in order to ensure the highest-quality printing experience from start to finish.  Interestingly, many printer manufacturers use emulated PostScript as a low-cost alternative to paying a licence fee to Adobe, which will produce inferior results.  

How do I know if I need PostScript?

We recommend reading When to purchase PostScript so that you can double check whether you need this option either now or in the future.  If in doubt, it's cheaper to purchase a PostScript printer at the outset rather than buying a standard model and trying to buy the accessory to upgrade it to PostScript later.

How does Adobe PostScript work?

Every time you print, your computer's printer driver automatically generates a PostScript language file which tells your printer how to lay the pixels of your document onto a page (this covers descriptions for the size and style of the type, how colour should be treated and where graphics should be placed).

Once sent to the printer, the PostScript language file is processed by a Raster Image Processor (RIP) which translates the instructions from your application and then optimises the PostScript language file for your specific printer, and finally creates an array of pixels called a Raster Image that is relayed to the device to be printed - exactly as you envisioned it.  This all happens in the blink of an eye.

What are the specific features of Adobe PostScript 3?

  • Advanced multi-threaded rendering techniques deliver up to a 30% increase in system performance
  • Enhanced Portable Document Format (PDF) and Job Definition Format (JDF) workflow support ensures you stay connected to the latest document technology
  • In-RIP Trapping and PDF Trapper features interpret and execute trapping commands automatically, speeding throughput
  • Device-independent colour ensures that output will appear exactly as intended
  • PostScript 3 systems accept input directly from a wide range of file formats (Adobe PDF 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, PDF/X and JPEG 2000) offering maximum workflow flexibility
  • Intelligent image-handling features make it easier than ever to support transparent artwork