How to Disable PostScript Passthrough: Driver Finishing Options Such As "Tray Selection" and "Duplex" Failing with Adobe Products

Document ID:HO2670
 
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Problem

Unable to duplex; PDF not duplexing; PostScript file not duplexing; EPS file not duplexing; Adobe Reader not duplexing; PDF printing to wrong tray; PostScript file printing to wrong tray; EPS file printing to wrong tray; Adobe Reader not allowing tray selection

Environment

Disabling PostScript passthrough; How to disable postscript passthrough; Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition; Microsoft Windows Server 2003; Microsoft Windows XP; Microsoft Windows NT, Terminal Server; Microsoft Windows NT4 server; Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server; Microsoft Windows 98; Microsoft Windows Me; Microsoft Windows NT 3.5; Microsoft Windows NT 3.51; Microsoft Windows NT 4; Microsoft Windows 2000; PostScript Printer Description (PPD)

Solution

Overview (2011)

Disable PS passthrough topics in this aticle

 

 

Microsoft Windows 7 "Printing preferences" procedure

  1. Click on the Start icon.
  2. Click on Devices and Printers.
  3. Right-click on the PS printer object.
  4. Select Printing preferences from the drop-down menu.
  5. Click on Other Options.
  6. Click on More Options.
  7. Click on PostScript.
  8. Place a checkmark next to Disable PostScript passthrough.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Click Apply.

Click here for illustration of this procedure.

 

 

Disabling PostScript passthrough via application or Driver Configuration (newer drivers)



NOTE: The absence of Page Setup within an application often requires the user to click on Print Setup and then on Properties to select printer driver output options.  This often means the PostScript driver is controlling print options rather than the application.



    1. From the application's menu bar, go to File, Print Setup. Or, File > Print.
    2. Click Properties... in the screen that appears.

       

    3. Click Other Options and then select More Options..

       

    4. Click the PostScript... button.


       

    5. Click in the box next to Disable PostScript passthrough and then click OK.
       


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Legacy Drivers Procedure (older drivers - used by most printers purchased before 2005)

From the application's menu bar, go to File, Print Setup, Properties... 
  1. Click the PostScript tab
     
  1. Click in the box next to Disable PostScript Passthrough and then click OK.

 
 
 
 

Explanation


Most applications utilizing Adobe file types or extensions (Adobe Reader, for example, uses a .pdf file extension) generate preprocessed PostScript print data that Lexmark Custom PS3 drivers pass directly to the printer.  As a result, any individually selected driver option such as an output tray or duplex unit is completely ignored.  Lexmark's solution is to disable PostScript passthrough.

Applications utilizing the following file types may encounter problems:

 



    • -.PS - PostScript (text only)

    • -.PDF - Portable Document Format

    • -.PRN - (Print file incorporating Adobe or PostScript architecture)

    • -.EPS - Encapsulated PostScript

    • -.ABR - Brush (Adobe PhotoShop)

    • -.AFM - Adobe Font Metrics

    • -.AI - Adobe Illustrator

    • -.TAL - Adobe Type Align


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How Disable PostScript passthrough works

  • Works around the inherent functionality by telling the driver to stop passing preprocessed print data.
  • Reprocesses the print data using Lexmark's own PostScript interpreters.
  • Appends the proper commands, such as Tray Selection and Duplex, to the print data.
  • Is not available with Microsoft's System PS drivers.
  • Is not available with Apple's Laser Writer 8 driver used in conjunction with Lexmark's PPD.

 

 

 

Still Need Help?

 
For additional assistance, please contact Lexmark Technical Support.  NOTE: When calling for assistance, you will need to know your printer model type and serial number.

 

 



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