Epson printers don't do Postscript

I'm not sure if this clarification will help, but here goes:

ALL print output in OS X starts life as postscript (or packaged postscript = PDF). Therefore, every driver for any non-postscript printer is, in effect, a RIP. It is true that high-end RIPS translate/interpret some commands better (more precise), but for the purpose you are speaking of, I think you will find the Epson drivers OK.

Hi Twitchy,

I use an Epson Stylus Photo 1200 printer to output files from the Adobe CS2 suite. The printer was purchased in 2000 (it's Ancient!). The output is still great and I have never used separate RIP software. It isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. No jaggy fonts or anything like that.

I have always had issues with PMS matching from inkjet to spot color. If the project is that color-critical, I usually get a proof from my printer's equipment for them to match.

I always use Epson papers (for proofs), Epson inks, keep up on the monitor calibration (every 4-6 months), and have a custom printer profile. My printer has given me no problems at all. (knock on wood!) My only complaint is that it's kinda slow, so I have to plan ahead when I have a lot to output. Epson has a decent track record in my opinion on support as well.

You may consider spending the extra money to get a printer that will output up to 12x18. It seems to come in handy when you have 11x17 plus bleed for comps. (Some clients just can't visualize if you print it smaller.)

Find yourself a good color calibration resource and you should be good to go. There's my 2 cents. Good luck!

Dina

A caveat: I don't know how the Epson works with Quark. I used to use Quark before I switched to OS10, and back then I got good looking text but the screen version (jaggy, low-res) of artwork placed in the document. I haven't kept up with Quark, so maybe someone else can chime in on that.