Adobe PostScript 3

Overview

Printing systems equipped with Adobe® PostScript® 3™ offer state-of-the-art capabilities to meet the demanding requirements of both professional publishing and office environments. Adobe PostScript 3 technology provides a worldwide imaging standard that enables users to create reliable and efficient digital workflows.

Quality and reliability

De facto market-standard imaging technology for print publishing

Adobe PostScript 3 translates ideas into print — exactly as intended. With a proven 20-year track record, it provides assurance that the most complex documents will print correctly.

Best in class for high-quality printing of Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files

Adobe PDF files print brilliantly on PostScript devices because Adobe PDF and PostScript share the underlying architecture of the Adobe Imaging Model.

Consistent high-quality print output, from office printer to digital press

Device-independent color support and other advanced features produce consistent, accurate output across a range of office and professional publishing devices. PostScript drives products from virtually every leading printer manufacturer.

Compatibility across a broad range of operating systems and platforms

Adobe PostScript supports a wide range of operating systems for maximum flexibility and compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Driving workflow standards

Support for composite files

Composite files are compact, efficient, and easier to use than separated files, and can be delivered and printed on a broader range of devices. PostScript 3 provides the enabling technology to help users in press environments take advantage of composite files and move to a fully digital workflow.

Direct consumption of PDF files up to PDF 1.5

PostScript 3 devices can receive and print PDF files without printing through an application, removing an unnecessary step and increasing job productivity.

Fully enabled for Job Definition Format (JDF) control (JDF 1.1a)

JDF, the XML-based industrywide standard programming language for automating print workflows, is instrumental in moving the industry toward the fully digital, composite prepress workflow. PostScript supports the automation of corresponding RIP functions.

Upgradeable with Adobe in-RIP trapping technology

In-RIP trapping is an optional capability of the Adobe PostScript 3 interpreter that executes trapping command at the RIP, automating complex and time-consuming prepress tasks. Trapping is specified, then rendered at print time rather than as a separate production step prior to RIPing.

Leading graphics capabilities

Support for transparent artwork, JPEG 2000, and layers in PDF

PostScript 3 technology delivers support for transparent artwork in PDF 1.4 and 1.5 and support for JPEG 2000 and layers in PDF 1.5.

Multithreaded rendering

Time-consuming rendering tasks can be split into multiple threads that can be processed simultaneously on multiple processors.

Operators for smooth shades, idiom recognition, masked images

Smooth shading renders gradient fills at the target device’s resolution, for high performance on most graphics. Idiom recognition automatically replaces PostScript generated by older applications for immediate access to smooth shading. Images are treated as layers so designers can cut out images without sacrificing speed or print reliability.