RE: [WinMac] WIN print: to HP then Apple

John Nurick(jnurick[at]lrconsulting.co.uk)
Fri, 26 Mar 1999 16:29:00 -0000

Douglas Parker wrote:
> Let's say I setup a document in a WIN application and print it to a
> networked HP4000 printer. I save that document, then connect an Apple
> LaserWriter 360 via LPT1, install the 360 WIN driver, and
> print to the 360.
>
> Will my document printout differently because of the different printer
> characterisitcs?

Quite likely, especially if you're using a standard HP4000 driver which
sends PCL rather than PostScript. Many (all?) HP4000s have PostScript
interpreters built in, but for general purpose Windows printing most
people (including me) seem to use the PCL driver.

> What if I point to the 360 but still use the 4000 driver?

If it's a PCL driver, disaster. If it's a PostScript drier, should more
or less work, but could get confused with paper trays and the like.

> Will margins be different?

Shouldn't be, unless they are narrow enough to conflict with the
unprintable areas and these differ between the printers.

> Will fonts print differently when directed to the new printer?

If both are using PostScript, the differences *should* be tiny,
magnifying glass stuff. If one is on PCL and the other on PostScript,
they could be substantial. This depends a lot on the software, and
whether there's any font substitution going on. Also, Microsoft Word can
produce very different results on different printers. Older versions
always did this; Word 97 is much better, and has a "use printer metrics"
compatibility setting to reproduce the old behaviour.

> Are print drivers and printer PPDs separate animals?

Yes.

John

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