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Using QuarkXPressTM 3.x (MacintoshTM)

Question: How do I configure QuarkXPress 3.x for optimum printing on a PhaserTM Color Printer?

Answer:
Before printing, install two pieces of software:

QuarkXPress uses printer-specific files to get all the information it needs to print. For best results there should be printer-specific files for all output devices. These files are provided by the printer vendor; Tektronix ships these files on the diskettes or CD-ROM with the printer. You can get the latest PDF files for QuarkXPress from the web or via on-line services: web site (www.tek.com), BBS (503-685-4504), AOL, Compuserve, or by calling 800-835-6100.

There are two types of printer-specific files that QuarkXPress can use:

  • Printer Description Files (PDF) or
  • Postscript Page Descriptions (PPD)
Tektronix recommends using the PDF files, as they are QuarkXPress-specific. The QuarkXPress-specific PDF is named Phaser xxx.PDF, for example, Phaser 300.PDF. Any files starting with either the name Tektronix or with letters, are PPDs, for example, TKP300I1.PPD. Place the PDF file inside the folder labeled PDF inside the QuarkXPress application folder.

Note: Any time PDFs are added or deleted, the changes do not take effect until QuarkXPress is re-started.

Recommended Settings

Here are the recommended settings to get the best color and resolution from the Tektronix color printers. Using other settings gives unpredictable results.
  1. Select the Tektronix printer in the Chooser.
  2. Select Page Setup from the File menu; the Page Setup dialog box appears.
  3. Select the image orientation.
  4. Select the correct printer type from the pull-down list of printers. (If the printer's name is not displayed in the list, then the PDF is not installed, or it is in the wrong location.)

    Note: PDFs and PPDs: If both a PDF file and a PPD file are installed for the Tektronix printer, both names are displayed in the pull-down list. To tell the files apart, look at the name displayed. A PDF name always begins with the name Phaser, not Tektronix. For best results when printing from QuarkXPress, always select the PDF.

  5. EfiColor Profile: For correct color output, set this option to None unless the printer has the additional EfiColor software installed on it. EfiColor users: refer to the EfiColor documentation for optimum settings.

    Note: GCR: Should be grayed-out upon choosing None for EfiColor.

  6. Resolution: Shows the printer's base resolution, for example, 300 (dpi). This is not where higher resolutions are selected. Access print-quality modes through the Print dialog box.
  7. Paper Size: Choose the paper size that matches the size loaded in the printer.
  8. Data Format: Select Binary.
  9. Enter the appropriate Halftone Screen value; use only the values listed in the table in this article. Some Tektronix printers use special halftoning. The settings for these printers may seem low, but the output will look like a much higher resolution. Values other than those listed, give unreliable results.

    Printer Halftone Screen Comments
    Phaser 140 n/a (can be any value from 15 - 360) Enable Use PDF Screen Values. For best results on scanned images, enable FinepointTM in the Tek Setup dialog box.
    Phaser 200 80
    Phaser 220 and 240 60 For best results, select High Resolution print quality mode through the TekColorTM dialog box.
    Phaser PX, PXi 60
    Phaser II PX, PXe. PXi 60
    Phaser IISD, SDX n/a (300 lpi) Dye Sublimation printers do not use halftone screening.
    Phaser III PXi Phaser 300i/x 60, 80, or 150 When selecting 150 lpi, select Finepoint in the TekColor or Tek Setup dialog box.
    Phaser 340, 350 60
    Phaser 440, 480, 480X n/a Dye Sublimation printers do not use halftone screening.
    Phaser 540, 540 Plus, 550 60 Choose a Print Quality setting from the TekColor dialog box accessible from the Print dialog box.
    Phaser 600 60

  10. Use PDF Screen Values: Make sure this box is checked.

    Note: With some versions of the Phaser IISDX, Phaser 440, and Phaser 480 PDFs, this box is grayed out. This is normal.

  11. Click OK.

Print Dialog Box Settings

  1. Select Print from the File menu; the Print dialog box appears.
  2. Choose Color/Grayscale from the Print dialog box.
  3. Registration: If the document size is the same size as the media loaded in the printer, choose Off. If the media size is larger than the document size (for the purpose of showing crop marks or bleeds), choose Centered.
  4. OPI: Set to Include Images in order to print imported graphics.
  5. Spreads: Check this box if you want to print several pages from a spread side-by-side on one larger-sized page. For example, two Letter-size pages on one Tabloid- or Tabloid Extra-size page.
  6. Choose appropriate Color Adjustment and Print Quality options through the Tek Setup or TekColor dialog box. For more information on color adjustments, see the printer's reference manual or the Tips & Hints article, "Color Matching - Index"
  7. Click Print to send the file to the printer.

    Note: For further information on all of these options, see the QuarkXPress manual.

Additional Information

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