Warren Block said:
Please don't spread misinformation. PCL printers can print the same
quality of graphics as PostScript. The dots on the page are the same.
The difference is in how they are laid out. PCL is a relatively simple
escape code language. Most stuff that prints PCL graphics just sends a
large PCL-encoded bitmap to the printer.
PostScript is a programming language. When you print with it, the
printer actually receives a program. The printer itself runs that
program, which draws the bitmap.
PCL and PostScript are just two ways to get to the same bitmap in the
end.
The original post's quality problem is due to resolution and scaling
settings in software, not the printer language. Probably this is
happening in a print driver setting or some application setting.
Warren:
Please do not spread misinformation here. PS and PCL do not print the
same. According to HP(who created PCL):
When would you need to use PostScript?
Generally, you would need to use PostScript in the
following scenarios:
+ To match font styles with other users in the
organization.
+ To work with Macintosh computers.
+ The work requires the rendering of graphic images in
a particular way which possibly only PostScript can provide.
+ To be compatible with a particular application or
environment (this is more common in certain UNIX (R) environments).
Notice that they say "The work requires the rendering of graphic
images in a particular way which possibly only PostScript can
provide."
Also if PCL and PS can produce the same output, then why does HP and
IMB pay (Adobe)for PS to be added on their printers when using PCL
would be free?
Lastly, About.com says:
When do I use a PS driver? When do I use a PCL driver?
Both Adobe's PS and HP's PCL drivers are page desciption languages.
This means they are both languages that describe how to print a page.
Each has its own positive and negative qualities, and they are good
for different things.
PCL drivers do most of the rendering on the local workstation and the
information is sent in essentially binary form to printer. Postscript
drivers essentially send a page description to the printers where it
is rendered. Since local workstations are generally MUCH faster than
the printers, PCL printing is much faster than postscript and because
it requires less printer memory some jobs may only print if sent using
PCL drivers. However, PCL is also a simpler language than Postscript
so it lacks many of the complex drawing and scaling functions that are
available in Postscript. Therefore, if you are using a package which
takes advantage of postscript's capabilities (e.g. most Adobe products
and some others), you may get better quality output using postscript
drivers and your complex print job may not print properly or at all
using the PCL driver.
If your file is not printing correctly using one driver, go ahead and
try the other. That's one of the first things we'll try when we visit
your station.
Some Printers in the COF have both PCL and PS drivers available. A
Postscript print queue, usually has a "-ps" appended at the end of the
queue name. Choose your driver based on the guidelines above or call
the helpdesk for a recommendation.
PCL and PS are not the same.
I thought the issue was PS vs. PCL simply because the image looks to
be at about 50 x 50 dpi not the printer rated 300 x 300. Heck, the
thing is not even printing the letters out smoothly. I did a little
research and it seems that there are two programs (probably more but
that's what I found) that might help. According to about.com:
"Programs such as GhostScript and PowerRIP provide varying degrees of
PostScript capability to non-PostScript laser and inkjet printers."
That just might be a solution.
Bill Frankel (
www.theaschergroup.com)
