PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

**sandmanmac** · 06-11-2013, 03:36 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Originally posted by akewldewd

Can anyone tell me if a Postscript driver will work on a PC and if the print quality is any better than a PCL 5 or 6? I have a client who desires a higher print quality than what the MPC 4500 with PCL6 at 600dpi will give.

Comments and suggestions please.

Like ANY other printer, first it must have P/S 3 installed/available for it to "speak the language". It's not standard on this machine. Does it have the card? If so, try it and see if it improves whatever they're printing.
And what do you mean by 'higher print quality'? Maybe the machine needs service. You really haven't provided much info here

**coolbeer** · 06-11-2013, 03:49 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Have you tried Ricoh's RPCS driver, very user friendly & does not req postscrip chip.

**akewldewd** · 06-11-2013, 03:50 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Originally posted by sandmanmac

Like ANY other printer, first it must have P/S 3 installed/available for it to "speak the language". It's not standard on this machine. Does it have the card? If so, try it and see if it improves whatever they're printing.
And what do you mean by 'higher print quality'? Maybe the machine needs service. You really haven't provided much info here

The machine has been serviced and is low meter less than 5k color. The client prints a lot of color imagery for creative purposes. by all means the quality for its intended purpose is up to standards. They are seeking to get the best quality possible out of it and I am trying to provide that. Yes it has a PS3 card in it.

**Eric1968** · 06-11-2013, 03:57 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

My experience is that the PS-driver gives a better result. Especially for customers that use applications like InDesign, Photoshop, Corel Draw etc.

**rthonpm** · 06-11-2013, 04:02 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

If I remember correctly, the MP C3500/4500 range maxed out its resolution at 600x600 dpi

**akewldewd** · 06-11-2013, 04:07 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Originally posted by rthonpm

If I remember correctly, the MP C3500/4500 range maxed out its resolution at 600x600 dpi

Correct. it is 600x600 dpi but someone suggested ps would give better results. Thought I would look into it.

**akewldewd** · 06-11-2013, 04:26 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Originally posted by Eric1968

My experience is that the PS-driver gives a better result. Especially for customers that use applications like InDesign, Photoshop, Corel Draw etc.

Yes these are the programs being used. I have never tried using a ps driver on a pc, will it work? or spit out garbage? I am thinking it will work but research is showing it may not be worth the effort.

**Eric1968** · 06-11-2013, 05:32 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

If your machine is equipped with a PS3-Card (or any machine that understands Postscript), you can use the PS-driver on a PC. The spool file can be a lot bigger than with PCL, but the results are better. If you just use MS-Office, then you won't see the difference, but with applicaties like Photoshop etc. the results can be better.

**teebee1234** · 06-11-2013, 05:53 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Agree with all, a plus for the RPCS is that there are more print quality options that can be tweaked by power users. The PS will give you an expanded amount of fonts (if it has the option, if not sure then print out the printer config page in User Tools and look at the top).

**rthonpm** · 06-11-2013, 05:57 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

PostScript drivers can give you better results with most Adobe products since under the hood, the application and the printer are speaking the same language and building off the same font types and image processing. I always recommend using the PostScript driver for any customer or department that uses a lot of graphics based software. The jobs spool faster, the output is a little more stable, and the customer is generally much happier.

Keep in mind though, that you'll also want to make sure that the PostScript firmware is up to date as there have been instances where issues can be avoided.

My general order of driver preference, with the port always being configured for LPR:

1A: PostScript, if they use Adobe's higher end software (Creative Suite, etc.) also for any Mac or Linux shops
1B: RPCS, sadly not every Ricoh machine supports this great driver
2: PCL 5: good, stable driver and for general office documents it gets the job done without issues
3: PCL 6: always seems to be flaky, and never really does anything except throw memory overflow errors after awhile. It's a last resort.

**KenB** · 06-11-2013, 06:01 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Originally posted by Eric1968

If your machine is equipped with a PS3-Card (or any machine that understands Postscript), you can use the PS-driver on a PC. The spool file can be a lot bigger than with PCL, but the results are better. If you just use MS-Office, then you won't see the difference, but with applicaties like Photoshop etc. the results can be better.

Not to mention that these "postscript centric"apps need to be configured for optimum print quality.

For instance, I've seen people take a 72 DPI jpg image from the web, blow it up to nearly fill a page, and expect get eye-popping output.

You can't just throw the output to a postscript printer and automagically expect perfect results.

If the mismatch is bad enough, the quality can actually be WORSE than PCL.

**Tonerbomb** · 06-11-2013, 11:29 PM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Originally posted by KenB

You can't just throw the output to a postscript printer and automagically expect perfect results.

automagically..the term I've been looking for !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks KenB !

**techsass** · 06-12-2013, 01:58 AM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

As already stated Post Script is usually the 1st choice for drivers when dealing with graphics.

Another thing to play with for richer graphics is the paper. It always seems to get overlooked in office environments, but it makes a big difference in the output. Typically I'd recommend using at least 24lb. and experimenting with the brightness, finish and other properties of the paper. Add to that the fact that different brands claiming the same properties can produce different outputs.

A lot also depends on how much of the leg work your customer is willing to do with the App, etc. to get the results they want. You can get some good pictures using the "Point & Shoot" method, but you need to make manual adjustments on the camera when you want a specific look. Same thing applies to printing.

Automagically is a term I'll be using. Love it!!!

**Tonerbomb** · 06-12-2013, 02:02 AM

Re: PS vs PCL from PC on MpC4500

Originally posted by techsass

As already stated Post Script is usually the 1st choice for drivers when dealing with graphics.

Another thing to play with for richer graphics is the paper. It always seems to get overlooked in office environments, but it makes a big difference in the output. Typically I'd recommend using at least 24lb. and experimenting with the brightness, finish and other properties of the paper. Add to that the fact that different brands claiming the same properties can produce different outputs.

A lot also depends on how much of the leg work your customer is willing to do with the App, etc. to get the results they want. You can get some good pictures using the "Point & Shoot" method, but you need to make manual adjustments on the camera when you want a specific look. Same thing applies to printing.

Automagically is a term I'll be using. Love it!!!

techsass, you are right on target!!!!!!!!!!!!! A 24#or 28# color laser paper is the starting point for good color in the office.