Print data mode for PDF printing (HP GL/2 mode or raster)

[eLPuSHeR]

Hello.

I would like to hear your opinions about this matter.

My printers are PCL5/PCL6 capable and I am using the standard Win7 drivers where you can choose whether you send data as HP GL/2 (vector?) and raster modes. What is the recommended mode for printing PDF files using PDF-XChange Viewer? HP GL/2 mode seems the obvious (preferred) way to send data when printing PDF files with vector data, but I have found out that sometimes grayscale seems better using raster mode. On the other hand, it seems windows regular drivers don't compress data at all; sometimes sending data to printer that is several gigabytes in size.

Opinions?

[Stefan - PDF-XChange]

Hello eLPuSHeR,

I would recommend the non raster mode as default, and to only use raster if necessary or if the vector mode doesn't produce correct result. Raster mode is certain to send huge files to the printer, while vector will send smaller files almost always.

Best,
Stefan

[eLPuSHeR]

Thank you very much for claryfing things up Stefan.

Best regards.

[Will - Tracker Supp]

Hi eLPuSHeR,

Stefan isn't in right now, as he works from England, but I'll be sure to pass the message along to him

[eLPuSHeR]

Thanks, Will.

[Stefan - PDF-XChange]

[eLPuSHeR]

Unfortunately, after doing some tests I have found out that HP GL/2 mode even if it can be marginally faster it gets the grasycale output all wrong (too dark). And PDF is not the only thing affected (MS Office suite is affected the same way). So it seems it's a issue in the generic PCL5 drivers that come shipped with Windows. How nice.

[Stefan - PDF-XChange]

Hi eLPuSHeR,

Sorry to hear that, but as you said - it seems like the problem is in the drivers and not in our Viewer. So please use the raster option and all should be fine!

Best,
Stefan

[eLPuSHeR]

Indeed it's a problem in the MS driver implementation. Every application is affected. No worries as the raster mode prints just fine.

Best regards.

[Will - Tracker Supp]