Printing Halftones with Ghostscript on a Canon Pixma ix6820

Printing halftones with Ghostscript on a new Canon printer doesn't require downloading a specific printer driver. Unlike traditional drivers for branded printers, Ghostscript simplifies the process by directing prints to a "dummy" printer, such as "MS Publisher Imagesetter." This approach allows for seamless printing on a Canon Pixma ix6820 without the need for a dedicated driver.

Ghostscript Setup

Before diving into the steps for different graphic software, ensure Ghostscript and GhostGum are properly installed on your Windows machine.

Photoshop CS3 - Creating Output

1. Open your design in Photoshop CS3 and finish any separations for halftones or solids.
2. Click File -> Print.
3. Select Printer -> "MS Publisher Imagesetter."
4. Set Page Setup for BLACK & WHITE, choose the appropriate paper size, and click OK.
5. Instead of Color Management, select Output from the dropdown.
6. Choose the ink matching the channel to be printed.
7. Set Frequency, Angle, and Shape, then click OK.
8. Print to a file with a .prn extension for Ghost RIP.

CorelDRAW - Creating Output

1. In CorelDRAW, click Print.
2. In the General Tab, select "Device Independent Postscript File."
3. In the Separations Tab, click on Print Separations, choose the color, and adjust Frequency and Angle.
4. Print to a file with a .ps extension for Ghost RIP.

LPI, Dot Shape, and Angle Settings

• Set LPI based on screen mesh (4.5 to 5 times the LPI).
• Choose Ellipse for color gradient transitions.
• Recommended angle is 22.5, even for CMYK.

Printing with GhostGum

1. Open GSview and locate your saved .prn or .ps file.
2. Check Orientation and Media settings.
3. Click Print and adjust printer settings if needed.
4. If the print appears as code text, choose "Windows GDI printer" in the Print Method settings.

Additional Tips

• For issues with orientation, remember that Ghost's orientation refers to the paper in the printer, not the screen.
• Using a "dummy" printer like MS Publisher Imagesetter allows you to print to file without the need for a physical printer.

Printing halftones with Ghostscript on a Canon Pixma ix6820 is a straightforward process, eliminating the need for specific printer drivers. By following the outlined steps for Photoshop and CorelDRAW, users can achieve high-quality prints without complications.

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