Solution:

The central printers are capable of printing a limited number of file formats. In order to print something that the printers don't understand, like an image, a PDF, or a Microsoft Word document, the file must be converted to a format the printers do understand, such as PostScript.You can convert almost any type of file to PostScript using your PC.

Windows

1. Open the file in an application capable of printing
2. Print the file and choose a PostScript printer
3. Check the Print to file box
4. You will be asked for a file name

NOTE: In some versions of Windows, you will also be asked for a location for the file. If not, it should be written to the Desktop.
NOTE: In some versions of Windows, the file will have a .prn extension by default. You may change this to .ps if you prefer, but the file name will have no effect on its format.

Mac OS X (10.3)

1. Open the file in an application capable of printing
2. Print the file and choose a PostScript printer
3. Choose Output Options
4. Check the Save as File box and choose PostScript format
5. You will be asked to choose a name and location for the file

NOTE: If you are converting a PDF file, we strongly recommend using Acrobat Reader instead of Preview to print the file. The resulting PostScript file will be much smaller and of better quality. The first time you print using Acrobat Reader, you will need to click Advanced... under Copies & Pages and change the PostScript level to 2.

Mac OS X (10.4)

1. Open the file in an application capable of printing
2. Follow that application's procedure to print the file (usually P or choose Print from the File menu)
3. Click the PDF drop-down button
4. Choose Save PDF as PostScript...
5. You will be asked to choose a name and location for the file

NOTE: If you are converting a PDF file, we strongly recommend using Acrobat Reader instead of Preview to print the file. The resulting PostScript file will be much smaller and of better quality. The first time you print using Acrobat Reader, you will need to click Advanced... under Copies & Pages and change the PostScript level to 2.

Additional Recommendations from OIT-PCS

• Your file gets larger and requires excessive time to RIP depending on the method used to create it. It also can corrupt our system and cause it to crash due to the size being upwards of 150 MB. If you converted a PDF to PostScript, we recommend using a print driver such as the Apple LaserWriter or the one designed for the DigiSource 9110 Printer.
• If you scanned your document, it's possible you used a scanning setting that added additional time to the RIP process and a lesser setting may resolve the problem. For instance, if your scanning text, a 300dpi setting is sufficient. There is no need to scan at a halftone setting; it just adds size and complexity, not better quality.
• It is intended that users print originals and have copies made via their own resources. However if you must print multiple copies, we recommend you specify the number of copies to print on the command line so that only one copy of the file is created and the file is RIPed once and printed many times. Otherwise, it will RIP many times which will slow down delivery of the material and use up system resources.

Feel free to submit a request for help for any of the following reasons: