How to Make a Postscript File

If you do not own Adobe Acrobat, you can make a postscript file and we will make a PDF from it. Below areinstructions for the following PC software:

Postscript file from InDesign CS4

Postscript file from Word 2003

Postscript file from Publisher 2003

How to Make a Postscript file from InDesign

These instructions will show you how to make a ".ps" file (also known as a "postscript file"). Simply put, you will print to a file, rather than to paper. Normally, when you click Print, your file is sent to the printer, the printer receives it, and puts it onto a piece of paper. Making a postscript file is the same procedure, except the data is sent to a file rather than a printer and paper. Gorham Printing can make a PDF from this file.

This method is for InDesign CS4 for PC and for those who do not own the full program of Acrobat. The steps and illustrations are based on Windows 7. If you have a different operating system, the steps may vary slightly. If you own Acrobat, go here.

With your text or cover file open in InDesign, go to File > Print.

In the General Tab, use these options for the areas in blue below:

In the Setup Tab, (Setup on the left side, not the bottom button) set your paper size to Custom. For text files, the width should match your final trim size width, and the height, your final trim size height. Cover files should be set to fit on Width: 13 in. and Height: 19 in. Make sure your Page Position is Centered.

In the Marks and Bleed Tab, use these options for the areas in blue below. If you have bleeds in your file, see Text Bleeds for instructions on the settings in this box. If you do not have bleeds, do not change any settings in this box. Note: We do not want crop marks to appear on text pages.

In the Output Tab, use these options for the areas in blue below:

In the Graphics Tab, use these options for the areas in blue below:

In the Color Management Tab, use these options for the areas in blue below:

In the Advanced Tab, use these options for the areas in blue below:

Upload the postscript file to us (maximum file size 100MB) or place the file on a CD and mail.

How to Make a Postscript file from Word

These instructions will show you how to make a ".prn" file (also known as a "printer" file or "postscript file"). Simply put, you will print to a file, rather than to paper. Normally, when you click Print, your file is sent to the printer, the printer receives it, and puts it onto a piece of paper. Making a .prn file is the same procedure, except the data is sent to a file rather than a printer and paper. We will use Adobe Distiller to make a PDF from your .prn file.

This method is for MSWord 2003 for PC and for those who do not own the full program of Acrobat. The steps and illustrations are based on Windows 7. If you have a different operating system, the steps may vary slightly. If you own Acrobat, go here.

First, set up a printer:

In Windows, open the Add Printer Wizard (found from the Start Menu). When you get to the 'Add Printer' dialog, add a local printer to LPT1, and choose Generic in the Manufacturer box, and MS Publisher Imagesetter as the Printer.

In MSWord, print to a file:

With your text file open in Word, go to File > Print.

In the Name box, select MS Publisher Imagesetter.

Click Properties. Click the Paper/Quality tab. Click the Advanced button. Under Paper Size: choose Postscript Custom Page Size. In the Postscript Custom Page Size Definition prompt, make the measurements shown match your document size. (For text files, the width should match your final trim size width, and the height, your final trim size height. Cover files should be set to fit on Width: 13 in. and Height: 19 in.) Click OK twice to return to the Adobe PDF Document Properties dialog. If your file includes full color anywhere, select the Color button. Click OK to return to the Print dialog box.

Upload the postscript file to us (maximum file size 100MB) or place the file on a CD and mail.

How to Make a Postscript file from Publisher

These instructions will show you how to make a ".ps" file (also known as a "postscript file"). Simply put, you will print to a file, rather than to paper. Normally, when you click Print, your file is sent to the printer, the printer receives it, and puts it onto a piece of paper. Making a .ps file is the same procedure, except the data is sent to a file rather than a printer and paper. We will use Adobe Distiller to make a PDF from your .ps file.

This method is for MSPublisher 2003 for PC and for those who do not own the full program of Acrobat. The steps and illustrations are based on Windows 7. If you have a different operating system, the steps may vary slightly. If you own Acrobat, see How to Make a PDF.

First, set up a printer:

In Windows, open the Add Printer Wizard (found from the Start Menu). When you get to the 'Add Printer' dialog, add a local printer to LPT1, and choose Generic in the Manufacturer box, and MS Publisher Imagesetter as the Printer.

In Publisher, print to a file:

With your file open in Publisher, go to File > Print.

In the Printer Name box, select MS Publisher Imagesetter.

Click Properties. Click the Layout Tab. Click the Advanced button. In the Paper Size dropdown, click Postscript Custom Page Size. In the Postscript Custom Page Size Definition prompt, make the measurements shown match your document size. (For text files, the width should match your final trim size width, and the height, your final trim size height. Cover files should be set to fit on Width: 13 in. and Height: 19 in.) Click OK three times to return to the Print dialog.

Back in the Print dialog, check the Print to File box. Click OK. At the Print to File prompt, name your file and click Save. We ask that you name the file "AuthorLastNameText.ps" or "AuthorLastNameCover.ps" with no punctuation or spaces.

Note: You will not be able to open the postscript file to view it.

Upload the postscript file to us (maximum file size 100MB) or place the file on a CD and mail.