PostScript Printer Description

Infobox file format
name = PostScript Printer Description
icon =
logo =


caption =
extension = .ppd
mime =
type code =
uniform type =
magic = *PPD-Adobe
owner = Adobe
genre =
container for =
contained by =
extended from =
extended to =
standard =

PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files are created by vendors to describe the entire set of features and capabilities available for their PostScript printers.

A PPD also contains the PostScript code (commands) used to invoke features for the print job. As such, PPDs function as drivers for all PostScript printers, by providing a unified interface for the printer's capabilities and features. For example, a generic PPD file for all models of HP Color LaserJet [http://www.linuxprinting.org/download/PPD/HP/HP_Color_LaserJet.ppd] contains:

*% =

*% Basic Device Capabilities *% =

*LanguageLevel: "2" *ColorDevice: True *DefaultColorSpace: CMYK *TTRasterizer: Type42 *FileSystem: False *Throughput: "10"

which specifies that the printer understands PostScript Level 2, is a color device, and so forth. The PPD can describe allowable paper sizes, memory configurations, the minimum font set for the printer, and even specify a tree-based user interface for printer-specific configuration.

CUPS

CUPS uses PPD drivers for all of its PostScript printers, and has even extended the concept to allow for PostScript printing to non-PostScript printing devices, by directing output through a CUPS filter. Such a file is no longer a standard PPD, but rather a "CUPS-PPD".

External links

* [http://partners.adobe.com/public/developer/ps/index_specs.html Adobe PostScript Language Specifications]
** [http://partners.adobe.com/public/developer/en/ps/5003.PPD_Spec_v4.3.pdf Adobe Tech Note 5003: PostScript Printer Description (PPD) File Format Specification]
** [http://partners.adobe.com/public/developer/en/ps/5645.PPD_Update.pdf Adobe Tech Note 5645: Update to PPD Specification Version 4.3]
* [http://www.linuxprinting.org/kpfeifle/LinuxKongress2002/Tutorial/III.PostScript-and-PPDs/III.PostScript-and-PPDs.html CUPS, PPDs, PostScript and GhostScript] (Tutorial material by Kurt Pfeifle)