Creating PostScript File (windows)

[Peter_L...@adobeforums.com]

ok, there are two ways of making a PostScript file from Indesign:

1. file > print > setup (button at bottom of dialogue), etc

2. set "postScript File" as the printer at the top of the print dialogue box

the first option is what i'm seeing a LOT of people do. and imho, its so archaic and long winded.

I personally prefer the simplicity of 2 as it is so straight forward.

BUT!...I'm noticing that there's a file size difference of 2mb for the same file exported in the different ways.

basically, what is the difference? and why not use the second method?

(vista x64 btw)

Pete

[Peter_L...@adobeforums.com]

anyone?

[Dov Isaacs]

(1) It is definitely not preferred to create PDF from InDesign by distilling PostScript. Adobe recommends most emphatically that you create PDF via the export function in InDesign, especially to maintain live transparency, color management, tagging, etc. in the resultant PDF file. Any print service providers who tell you otherwise are either (a) very uninformed, (b) Luddites who are scared on newer technology, or (c) have ancient, coal-powered, steam-driven, obsolete RIP software that can't deal with anything beyond 1992 technology.

(2) The "PostScript File" method produces a somewhat generic PostScript file that has no paper handling commands or anything that could or should be considered device-specific. Printing "to file" for a specific printer model yields PostScript that may contain significant additional PostScript to deal with the ideosynchracies of a particular device and that could account for significant differences in file sizes. Note also that options related to images (downsampling, etc.) and fonts (full fonts, subsetted fonts, etc.) can also make a tremendous difference in PostScript file size.

- Dov

[Peter_L...@adobeforums.com]

thanks for replying Dov!

does that include trap settings, etc from indesign? i've seen videos from taz tally regarding CS3 stating that postscript is needed? please confirm.

I am MORE than happy to just use the pdf export way.

would you recommend that i create slightly more advanced joboption settings via distiller? and then use that setting to export from indesign.

thanks for info.