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Generating PostScript Files with Windows

S4309 • September 2007

This document tells you how to generate PostScript files on a computer with Windows. These files are useful for printing with mPrint.

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About PostScript Files

PostScript is a page description language developed by Adobe Systems. It is used for printing documents on laser printers and more. It captures formatting information and allows the document to be printed as it appears on your computer monitor. PostScript files created using the method described in this document usually have names that end with the file extension .prn, which stands for printer file (for example, newfile.prn). Some PostScript files have names that end with the file extension .ps (for example, newfile.ps).

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Prerequisite: Having a PostScript Printer Defined

You must have a PostScript Printer defined on your computer—even if you do not have access to the defined printer—in order to generate a PostScript file.

Check to see if you have a PostScript printer defined by doing the following:

  1. Open any document and select Print from the File menu.

  2. In the Print dialog box, click the Properties button.

  3. Check for PostScript:

    • Windows 2000 users: Then click Advanced. If the printer is PostScript, a little blue ps will appear beside the printer name.

    • Other Windows users: If the Properties dialog box includes a PostScript tab at the top of the box, the printer is a PostScript printer.

    IMPORTANT! Depending on your printer and printer driver, you may not see the options listed here. If you are unable to tell if you have a PostScript printer defined on your computer, follow the instructions below for adding one.

If you have a PostScript printer defined, you can skip ahead to the instructions for generating a PostScript file. If you do not have a PostScript printer defined, first follow the instructions below for adding one.

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Adding a PostScript Printer

NOTE: You might need to have your Windows installation media available in case you are asked for it during this process.

  1. Click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen.

  2. Select Settings, then Printers, then Add Printer. (You may only be able to select as far as Printers. If so, in the Printers window that opens, double-click the Add Printer icon).

  3. The Add Printer Wizard will open. The wizard will look different, depending on which version of Windows you are using. The questions, however, will be basically the same. Click Next to begin using the wizard.

    4. Screen shot of Add Printer Wizard opening screen.

  4. When asked if you want a local or network printer, select Local Printer.

    If there is an Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer checkbox below the Local printer selection, uncheck the checkbox. Click Next.

    5. Screen shot showing selection of Local printer.

  5. When you are asked to select a printer port, select FILE: (Print to File). (You may need to scroll down the alphabetical list a little way to get to FILE: (Print to File).) Then click Next.

    6. Screen shot showing selection of FILE: (Print to File). as the printer port.

  6. Make these selections:

    • From the Manufacturers list on the left, select Apple (because most Apple printers are PostScript).

    • From the Printers list on the right, select Apple LaserWriter II NT (the version number doesn't matter).

    Then click Next.

    Screen shot showing selection of Apple as the manufacturer and Apple LaserWriter II NT as the printer.

  7. When you are asked if you want to make this the default printer for your windows-based programs, click the No radio button. Then click Next.

    8. Screen shot showing the No radio button -- for selecting not to make the printer your default printer.

  8. When asked if you want to make the printer available to other users, click the Do not share this printer button. Then click Next.

    9. Screen shot of Do not share this printer button.

  9. When asked if you want to print a test page, click the No radio button. Then click Next.

    10. Screen shot showing the No radio button -- for indicating you do not want to print a test page.

  10. Click Finish to close the wizard.

    11. Screen shot of completing the wizard.

You now have a PostScript printer defined that you can use to generate PostScript files.

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How to Generate a PostScript File

  1. Open the document (for example, a Microsoft Word file) that you want to convert to PostScript format.

  2. From the File menu, select Print.

  3. In the Print dialog box, select your PostScript printer from the Printer Name pop-up menu.

    4. Screen shot of selecting your Apple LaserWriter II NT printer from the Name pop-up menu.

  4. Still in the Print dialog box, check the Print to File checkbox. Then click OK.

    5. Screen shot of Print to File checkbox.

  5. Give your PostScript file a name, then click OK.

    6. Screen shot of naming your PostScript file.

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Additional Resources

Visit ITCS's Information System to obtain ITCS computer documentation and other resources. A list of relevant documents follows:

We welcome your comments; please send e-mail.

ITCS's Online Help Desk provides a variety of computing help resources.

For further help, send e-mail or phone (734) 764-HELP.

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