Applies ToPublisher for Microsoft 365 Publisher 2021 Publisher 2019 Publisher 2016 Publisher 2013 Publisher 2010 Publisher 2007

When you use the Pack and Go Wizard to pack your publication and related files to take to a commercial printing service, Microsoft Publisher creates a compressed (.zip) file and a PDF file for your commercial printer. Ask your commercial printer if these are the files that they need you to deliver. If these are not the types of files that they work with, your commercial printer may ask you to produce a PostScript file.

Ask your commercial printing service if you need to save your publication as a page-independent PostScript file instead. A commercial printing service may ask you for a PostScript file for any of several reasons:

  • They might not accept Publisher files.

  • They might not work with PDF files.

  • They might use only Macintosh computers.

  • As part of their prepress process, the commercial printing service may use a trapping or page-imposition program that requires using page-independent PostScript files that contain font-download information for every page of a multipage publication.

The pages in a page-independent PostScript file can be rearranged or printed selectively by a third-party program without affecting how the other pages of the PostScript file print. PostScript files can be printed only on a PostScript printer and you cannot make changes to a PostScript file after you have saved it.

Save as a PostScript file

  1. Click File > Save As.

  2. In the File name box, type a name for the file. You don't need to type a file name extension. Publisher automatically adds .ps to the end of the file name you type.

  3. In the Save as type list, select PostScript.

  4. Click Save.

  5. In the Printer name list, select the PostScript printer or imagesetter that you want. If necessary, install a PostScript printer:

    1. Consult your commercial printing service about which PostScript printer you should install and where you should install it from.

    2. Download the appropriate PostScript printer driver.

    3. Install the PostScript printer. 

  6. In the Save as PostScript dialog box, click Properties.

  7. Under Paper, choose a paper size.

  8. Under 2-Sided Printing, select 1-Sided Print or 2-Sided Print.

  9. Under Output Color, select Color or Black and White.

  10. On the Document Options tab, select a pages per sheet option.

  11. On the Advanced tab, expand the Drivers list , and in the PostScript Output Option list, select Optimize for Portability.

  12. Click OK.

  13. On the Save as Postscript dialog box, on the Printer Details tab, click Advanced Printer Setup.

  14. Click the options you want on the Marks and Bleeds tab and the Graphics and Fonts tab.

  15. Click Save.

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