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A
Awitmer
Known Participant
March 1, 2017
Answered

Are eps and postscript files a thing of the past??

  • March 1, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 554 views

Hello all!

I have some questions about file types that I've been wondering about for a

while. Recently at my workplace we made the switch from using postscript

files exported from InDesign for our computer-to-plate workflow to using pdf

instead. I was having TONS of problems when I was using postscript files and

ever since I have made the switch to pdf, my troubles have been over

entirely. My questions is this: Are postscript files a thing of the past and

should no longer be used, or are there still instances where it would be

good to use postscript files?

This leads me to another question I have. Is there ever a good reason to use

an place eps files in InDesign? Or is it better to us Photoshop and

Illustrator files nowadays? I hope my questions are clear enough...

Thanks in advance for your replies!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Mike Witherell

    My opinion: While .PS and distill are a practice from the ancient past, some still practice it because of unique machine limitations, or as a work-around to technical problems. But your shift toward exporting a PDF is a much better current practice. That same view carries over onto .EPS files. I have long preferred to leave them alone in favor of .PSD (native files from Photoshop) .AI, PDF (native vector from Illustrator). EPS files cannot transparency and blend properly with other art on the page. They don't know color-management. Still, there can be exceptions on rare occasions.

    1 reply

    Mike Witherell
    Community Expert
    Mike WitherellCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 1, 2017

    My opinion: While .PS and distill are a practice from the ancient past, some still practice it because of unique machine limitations, or as a work-around to technical problems. But your shift toward exporting a PDF is a much better current practice. That same view carries over onto .EPS files. I have long preferred to leave them alone in favor of .PSD (native files from Photoshop) .AI, PDF (native vector from Illustrator). EPS files cannot transparency and blend properly with other art on the page. They don't know color-management. Still, there can be exceptions on rare occasions.

    Mike Witherell
      Steve Werner
      Community Expert
      Steve WernerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 1, 2017

      What Mike said (very well!)

        A
        AwitmerAuthor
        Known Participant
        March 1, 2017

        Thanks so much for the replies! Glad to know that the switch to a pdf workflow was probably a good idea.

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