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From: choma@scotty.dccs.upenn.edu (Peter Choma)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.postscript
Subject: Re: How do I determine a printer's imaging area?
Keywords: PostScript, imageable_region, margins, incompatibility
Message-ID: <37288@netnews.upenn.edu>
Date: 11 Feb 91 02:13:51 GMT
References: <1991Feb8.174934.5816@eagle.lerc.nasa.gov> <7723@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM>
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    One area of PostScript incompatibility is the imageable region. For example,
the Apple LaserWriter has top and bottom margins of 0.04 while the NEC LC890
PostScript printer has top and bottom margins arround 0.22 inches.

    If you assume a value of 0.25 inches for each margin (top, bottom, left, 
and right) and a letter paper size of 8.5 by 11.0 inches, you should be able
to print on most PostScript printers without having to ask the printer for
its imaging area - ie. Scale your image to be 8.0 by 10.50 inches centered 
within a 8.5 by 11.0 inch region.

    This way you will not have to worry about having a bi-directional
communications channel to your PostScript printer and you will make life
much easier for anyone who gets your PostScript output and tries to print
it on some other manufacturer's PostScript printer.