PDF files print painfully slow on Canon printers

[dd*]

hello

We've recently purchased Canon printers IR5055 and IRC4580.

We're using postscript drivers with default resolution set to 1200dpi.

We have Adobe Reader 709, soon to upgrade to Adobe Reader 8.

PDF files print really painfully slowly. All other application files print as per expected performance speed.

Note: its a mixture of PDF files. pdf files created internally. pdf files received externally from many different sources therefore using different software tools and utilities used to generate the pdf files.

I've performed tests . The results are; the printer driver default resolution is dropped to 600dpi's the PDF file printing performance is noticeably faster. For example one PDF file with resolution 1200dpi takes 12 minutes to print. Drop the resolution to 600dpi, the same PDF prints in approximately 2 minutes.

The side effect of reducing the dpi's is all other applications print quality is reduced.

My questions are:
how can we improve PDF print performance?
is there a way we can improve PDF print speed without comprising other applications print speed or quality?
for example does a registry key exist for Adobe Reader to lower the dpi's, and the other applications dpi's arent effected?
can we push out a registry key for Adobe Reader with default setting turned on "Print as image"
If you can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated
any other suggestions?


Many thanks in advance
diana
Developer

[Oze]

Hi Diana,
Did you go with a service agreement from the dealer that you purchased the machines?
Or did you deal with Canon Direct?
Have you contacted Canon or your service representative with this issue?
I can help you so long as Canon don't have it logged open as a job...if they DO have it as a job can you give me the job number as I might be able to talk to the support rep or the tech to point them towards the correct PS version.
There IS a Post script driver that is being tested by Canon to resolve issues in Adobe 9 and so far it's backwards compatible with other versions.
Did you purchase an ImagePass print server with these machines?

[Guest]

Certain PDF files print slower than other PDF files when PCL or UFRII drivers are used. Other applications such InDesign or Adobe Acrobat have workarounds to speed up the printing process. The following screenshots are from some of the applications, By default, Adobe Acrobat Standard v 6 and higher has been creating PDF files with extensible objects or xobject. Using an application such as MS Word, click on the Adobe PDF menu and click on Change Conversion Settings.



Click on Advanced Settings.



Click on the Standard folder and then on the Advanced Folder.



The option to Allow PostScript XObjects should be unchecked when creating the PDF.

If the PDF did not originate in-house, the Enfocus PITSTOP plugin should be used to evaluate the PDF to see what program was used in the creation of the PDF. They can also use Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Standard, updated to 7.09 and view the document properties for the information in order to find out the original application used to create the pdf.

Other articles on why PDF's may print slower on certain printers than other PDF's can be found at Adobe's website

[Oze]

Also..there is a known issue with Adobe 8 so for when you DO upgrade be advised:
Symptom
Adobe Acrobat 8 files print slow compared to Acrobat 7.

Cause
The spooled file size from Acrobat 8 is 4 times larger than one from Acrobat 7, which take much longer to print. Adobe has acknowledged this as an issue with their Acrobat 8.0 products.



Action

1. Adobe has released Adobe Acrobat 8.1 update patch to resolve this issue for Acrobat 8.0 Professional and Standard. See Adobe Knowledge Base article ID kb401730 at: View Document.
2. Adobe has also released Adobe Acrobat 8.1 update full installer for Acrobat 8.0 Reader. See Adobe Knowledge Base article ID kb401732 at: View Document.

[dd*]

Thanks Oze

We do deal with Canon direct. However not much information was provided. and I would imagine the job is closed

They suggested we upgrade from postscript drivers to UFRII drivers. However we have our company letterhead in postscript format (hence why we need postscript drivers) downloaded onto the Canon hard disks. For us to move to UFRII drivers we need to test our letterheads print and are compatiable wiht hte URF11 drivers. and to check this wont be an overnight task.

When is the new version of postscript canon driver available?

No we didnt purchase ImagePass print server. I dont know what this is.



ScrewTape - the images you posted didnt display on the webpage.
I was interested in speeding up the PDF printing.


diana

[davidj7]

have you tried printing multiple copies of the same file,see if the speed increases after the 1 st set is printed.

[dd*]

nope not yet...but ill add to my "test matrix" and review the results...

thanks davidj7

dd

[davidj7]

ive had a similar problem was rectified after purchasing an image server.or if you upload a file on which you have the problem i could try printing on a 105 or 8500

[Oze]

You sound like you're the person the I.T jobs fall to huh?
PM me with an email address and I'll give you the test PS driver.
My suggestion is to assign a new print que for testing this driver...just in case.
Try it on one or two workstations and see how they go.
It's not meant to be for public distro yet...but Canon gave it to me for this very issue and it's working for me.

[dd*]

yeap im ther person the IT jobs fall to

...and the users are going nuts over this issue. understandably so, as when we first trialed/evalv'ed the canon this was one of the issues i picked up & escalated. a PDF print job can take 12-20minutes to print. This symptom didnt appear with our previous printer hardware.

The printer driver versions we are using appear to be the latest (around Dec 2008):
blackAndWhiteMFD - ps3w32v437
ColourMFD (locked down colour & only print b&w) -ps3w32v437_004

I'll send you a PM.

Many thanks Oze

dd

[dd*]

in addition...

Canon Tech Services mentioned the latest driver 4.37, and the best to use with Acrobat 9, it does address some large spool sizes and other print issues. This driver should be available on the canon web site.

[dd*]

Ive had a brief look at "ImagePass print server"

and this is what i could find...

Canon Australia - imagePASS S1


is imagePass print server different to an "ImageRunner"?

dd

[Guest]

Yes, their is a imagepass or fiery for each machine. The S1 is for the 7105 series. The one for the iRC4580 is a H1 imagepass.
Also you can try to use the UFR2 or UFR2 XPS driver and try some of the functions in the qaulity tab for PDF files, check the attachment.

The lastest PS3 driver version is v4.55 which was released 3-11-09.

[dd*]

thanks Screwtape

I went to both the Canon websites in USA and Aus and couldnt locate the the lastest PS3 driver version is v4.55 which was released 3-11-09

I only found the following:

Canon Australia - imageRUNNER iR5055

Canon U.S.A: Support



Could you/someone pls send me a link to PS3 V4.55 driver download

many thanks

dd

[Oze]

I'm sending you PS3 version 4.60
It's a multiplatform driver and will work on 2003 servers.
I'll send it from home tonight....you can shout me a beer one day