Select File > Print.
Last updated on
Oct 25, 2026
Select PPD files, adjust output settings, and resolve printing errors for PostScript devices.
PostScript printing in Adobe Illustrator requires proper configuration to ensure your artwork prints correctly on PostScript printers, imagesetters, or to PostScript files. Correct setup prevents common issues like limit-check errors, improves output quality, and gives you control over how fonts and graphics are processed.
This article covers PostScript-specific printing configuration for desktop Illustrator. You'll work with PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files, adjust settings for complex artwork, and configure font downloading behavior. These procedures apply when printing to PostScript printers, Adobe PostScript File, or Adobe PDF. For general print setup and composite printing, see the related articles on setting up documents for printing.
Understanding PPD files
A PPD file (PostScript Printer Description file) tells Illustrator your printer's capabilities, including resident fonts, paper sizes, screen frequencies, resolution, and color support. When you select a PPD, Illustrator populates the Print dialog box with only the options your output device supports.
Obtain the latest PPD from your printer manufacturer or service bureau. Store PPD files in the location your operating system specifies—see your system documentation for details.
Select the PPD file
From the PPD menu, select the PPD that matches your output device.
To use a custom PPD from your service bureau, select Other, navigate to the PPD file, and select Open.
Note
Some imagesetter PPD features aren't accessible from Illustrator's Print dialog box. To access printer-specific features, select Setup (Windows) or Printer (macOS) in the Print dialog box.
On Windows and macOS, you select a PPD file the same way you add a printer. The exact steps vary by platform and consult your operating system documentation for platform-specific instructions.
Managing complex paths and curves
Artwork with very long or complicated paths may exceed your printer's memory limits, causing limit-check errors. You can resolve these issues by adjusting how Illustrator converts curves to line segments or by splitting paths into simpler pieces.
Adjust flatness settings
Select File > Print.
For Printer, select a PostScript printer, Adobe PostScript File, or Adobe PDF.
Select Graphics on the left side of the Print dialog box.
Deselect Automatic and drag the Flatness slider toward Speed to reduce curve complexity.
PostScript interpreters convert curves into small straight line segments. Moving the slider toward Quality creates more segments for accuracy but increases complexity. Moving toward Speed creates fewer, longer segments (less accurate but faster to process and less likely to cause memory errors).
Split complex paths
Save a copy of your artwork before splitting paths.
To split a stroked path, use the Scissors tool to cut it into shorter segments.
To split a compound path, select Object > Compound Path > Release, then use the Scissors tool to break it into pieces and redefine them as compound paths.
To split a clipping mask, select Object > Clipping Mask > Release, then use the Scissors tool to break the path and redefine the pieces as masks.
After splitting, Illustrator treats each piece as a separate object. To rejoin split paths, select all the pieces and select the Add To Shape Area button in the Pathfinder panel. For detailed information about cutting and editing paths, see Edit paths in Illustrator. For more about working with clipping masks, see Create clipping masks.
Configuring font downloads
How Illustrator downloads fonts affects print speed and file size. Printer-resident fonts are stored in the printer's memory or connected hard drive. Illustrator automatically downloads fonts from your computer when they're not already resident on the printer.
Select File > Print.
For Printer, select a PostScript printer, Adobe PostScript File, or Adobe PDF.
Select Graphics on the left side of the Print dialog box.
From the Download menu, select None to reference printer-resident fonts only, Subset to download only used characters per page, or Complete to download entire fonts at the start of the print job.
None references printer-resident fonts only without downloading. Use this when fonts already reside in the printer.
Subset downloads only the characters your document uses, once per page. Best for single-page or short documents.
Complete downloads all required fonts at the start of the print job. Best for multipage documents with repeated font usage.
Note
Font manufacturers may restrict font embedding. You must comply with applicable copyright law and license agreements. For Adobe fonts, you can provide copies to commercial printers or service providers who have the right to use that software. For other fonts, obtain permission from your vendor.
Setting PostScript level and data format
When printing to a PostScript or PDF file, Illustrator automatically selects the PostScript level based on your output device. You can override this selection to match specific workflow requirements or ensure compatibility with older devices.
Select File > Print.
For Printer, select Adobe PostScript File or Adobe PDF.
Select Graphics on the left side of the Print dialog box.
From the PostScript menu, select Level 2 for improved speed and quality on Level 2 or greater devices, or Level 3 for best speed and quality on PostScript 3 devices.
If you selected Adobe PostScript File, choose Binary for more compact files or ASCII for better compatibility with older networks and parallel printers.
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