Adobe Printer Drivers - Install Macintosh PPDs

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Printer Drivers

What are PPD files?

Do I need a PPD file?

Where do I get PPD files?

How do I install and use a PPD file?

What are PPD files?
PostScript® printer description (PPD) files describe the fonts, paper sizes, resolution capabilities, and other features that are standard for your PostScript printer. PPD files are used by PostScript printer drivers to determine how to print your document. If you do not print using the correct PPD file, your document might not print correctly, or not all of the printer's features will be available when you print.

Do I need a PPD file?
You need a PPD file if your printer supports the page description language called PostScript. To determine if your printer supports PostScript, do one or more of the following:

contact your network administrator
see the documentation included with your printer
contact the printer manufacturer

Where do I get PPD files?
Adobe redistributes a number of PPD files as a courtesy to Adobe customers from the Adobe Web site at: www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html in the Printer Drivers section.

However, since Adobe does not create PPD files for printer manufacturers, Adobe does not guarantee to have the PPD file for your printer. Your printer manufacturer is ultimately responsible for creating and providing the correct PPD file for your printer.

If the Adobe Web site does not contain the PPD file you need, do one or more of the following:

You can usually find the PPD file on the floppy disk or CD-ROM included with your printer. If it is lost or damaged, contact your printer manufacturer for a replacement.
If your printer manufacturer has a Web site or other online service, visit that location using a Web browser to download the PPD file you need. See your printer documentation to determine if these services are available and how to reach them.
Contact the customer support department of your printer manufacturer to find out how to obtain a PPD file. See your printer documentation to determine how to reach them.

How do I install and use a PPD file?
To install a PPD file, copy it to the System Folder > Extensions > Printer Descriptions folder.

To use a PPD file, print using a PostScript printer driver, such as the Adobe PostScript printer driver called AdobePS. If you do not have a PostScript printer driver, you must install and configure it before you can use it for printing.

AdobePS™ is available for free from the Adobe Web site at: www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html in the Printer Drivers section.

Some applications may require the PPD file to be copied to an additional location. See your application's documentation to determine if your application searches for PPD files in a specific directory. If you have any such applications, use the Finder to copy the PPD file to the location(s) that your applications require.

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