Page description languages are computer languages used in the printing industry to communicate between computers and printing presses. Adobe® PostScript® is the most common. They can be binary or text commands and convey more information for higher quality materials and efficient printing. They require a programmer to create new code, but some simpler markup languages can be learned. They are used by larger printers but can also be used at home with expensive software.
Page description language is a type of computer language used primarily for the printing industry. Computers are typically connected to large printing presses, and by using a specialized language to communicate with both devices, efficiency in setting up and printing materials is greatly increased. There are a wide variety of description languages, but the most common is Adobe® PostScript®.
While many varieties of page description languages are detailed enough to be considered programming languages, most of them are not. These are known as markup languages. Similar to hypertext markup language (HTML), page description markup languages are able to talk to a limited number of programs. Just as HTML is primarily used to communicate with web browsers, most varieties of page description language can be read by a particular machine, program, or computer.
Page description languages are often built using binary or text commands. In the case of a binary language, graphical and text formatting is transformed into a series of ones and zeros using the description language. This code is sent to the printer and then transferred back into a visual graphic as it prints. The binary codes are the same used by all computers. When a command is typed on a keyboard, for example, a series of ones and zeros representing the key tells the computer what to do.
The main purpose of using a description language is to better communicate various aspects of a printed material from a computer to a printing press. Text and graphics are laid out on a computer screen, but using only output bitmaps limits the amount of information that can be received by a printer. Using a page description language conveys more information, faster.
The benefits of using page description languages include higher quality materials and more efficient printing. Because information is best received by a printer using page description languages, color, layout, and resolution are often of better quality than they would be if the same item were printed without them. These languages can also instruct printers on how much materials to print.
In many cases, a programmer is needed to create new page description language code. Some of the simpler markup languages can be learned by anyone, although they are limited in their usage. Many computer drawing programs have already added a page description language, so that when a graphic or layout is created, the codes are written simultaneously in the back-end of the program.
Most larger printers use some sort of page description language, but it’s also possible to leverage these programs at home. Software that implements full description languages is often expensive, but it might be worth the investment for a self-employed printer or designer. The cost can also be lower in the long run than hiring a professional printer.
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