Preparing to RIP on a DocuTech

This note explains how to prepare PostScript files on a Macintosh, for printing on a Xerox DocuTech 135.

"DocuTech" refers to a series of high performance laser printers made by Xerox - whoops, The Document Company. A DocuTech model 135 with the PostScript option is essentially a high-speed PostScript laser printer and a high-speed duplicator - or loosely, Xerox machine - melded into a 3,193 lb unit. It prints 135 pages per minute.

If you want to have files printed on a DocuTech, it is a good idea to submit raw PostScript files instead of application (Quark, PageMaker, or FrameMaker) files. To learn why, see the companion document Submitting raw PostScript to a print shop.

You'll need the PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file for the DocuTech 6135. Obtain it from Xerox: xrd61353.ppd (text format, 37045 bytes)

Create a PostScript job file according to the companion document Preparing to RIP.

The DocuTech is a Postcript level 2 printer. Use a file extension of ".ps". It will be convenient for your priner if you use a base name that is your last name, or the name of your company: I imagine that a typical DocuTech shop gets three or four files daily that have the same name, handout.ps!

If your document will have a cover, submit that as a separate one-page job. Some shops have a separate per-file RIPping charge, of perhaps $10 or $15. The extra file will incur an extra RIP charge, but asking the DocuTech operator to separate the pages into separate jobs is inviting error.

In addition to the PostScript job file, I generally provide an Acrobat PDF file to be used in case of PostScript failures. Not all DocuTech shops are familiar with PDF at the moment, though Adobe is moving rapidly to establish PDF as the format of choice for electronic submission of print jobs.

Submit the file according to the companion document, Submitting PostScript files to a commercial printer.

You will find that the DocuTech images screens considerably lighter than a typical laser printer - in particular, screens lighter than about 5% will disappear. The nasty solution is to make sure that and graphic files are adjusted appropriately! A more complicated solution that involves setting PostScript transfer functions is beyond the scope of this note.

Charles - Introduction to RIPping
1998-12-13