Install a PostScript Printer Driver

The first step is to install a postscript printer driver on your machine.

1. Click on the Start button, and choose Printers and Faxes.
   • For Windows 2000, go to Start, Settings, Printers.
   
   
2. Choose to Add a Printer
   
   
3. The Add Printer Wizard will open. Click Next to continue.
   
   
4. Choose to create a Local printer attached to this computer
   
   
5. Uncheck the Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer option. Click the Next button to continue.
   
   
6. Choose the LPT1 port. Click on the Next button to continue.
   
   
7. Next, choose the Manufacturer and Printer. Be sure to choose a printer with a postscript driver.
   • In the sample below, HP was chosen as the manufacturer, and the HP LaserJet 4000 Series PS printer driver was chosen.
   • Note the PS at the end of the printer name. That specifies this driver is a postscript driver.

   
   
   

8. Click the Next button to continue.
   
   
9. In the next Window, give the printer a name, or leave the default name. Choose whether or not you want it to be your default printer. Click the Next button to continue.
   
   
10. Choose the Do not share this printer option and click the Next button to continue.
    
    
11. Choose NOT to print a test page and then click the Next button to continue.
    
    
12. Click the Finish button to complete the installation process. Windows will now copy the driver and add the printer to your machine.

Creating a PostScript File

After adding a postscript printer driver, you can now create a postscript file. Do the following:

1. Open the document you wish to create a postscript file for.
   
   
2. Go to the File menu and choose Print.
   
   
3. Switch the printer to the printer you installed with the postscript driver.
   
   
4. Click the option Print to File
   
   
5. Then click the Print button. See the example below.

   

    

6. In Windows XP and 2000, a window will open prompting for a name and location to save the file.
   • Give the file a name, and add the extension .ps to the end of the file name.
   • Choose where you want the file to be saved.
   • Change the Save file as type choice to All Files [*.*]
   • See the example below
     
     
7. Click the OK button to save the file.

   

That's it, you have successfully created a postscript file. This file may be printed in any of the ITS Labs with the Ghostscript utility. To do that, simply bring the postscript file to our labs and open it on one of our PCs by double-clicking on the file. The Ghostscript Viewer utility will then open the postscript file. Choosing File: Print from the menu will allow you to print your postscript file.