PUB98: Printing Pattern Fills to PostScript Printer is Very Slow (179528)

SYMPTOMS

If you print a publication that contains pattern fills to a PostScript printer, the size of the print job is very large and takes a long time to print. If you print the same publication to an Inkjet or non-PostScript laser printer, the print job is much smaller and takes less time to print.

RESOLUTION

If you need a pattern-filled object on your publication and you must print to a PostScript printer, you can try one of the following techniques to speed up printing:

Method 1: Paste the Object As a Picture

Select the object and click Cut on the Edit menu.
On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.
In the list of available data types, select Picture. Click OK.

This method speeds up pattern printing, however the pattern may not print as clearly.

Method 2: Create the Pattern in Microsoft Draw

Select the object and click Cut on the Edit menu.
On the Insert menu, click Object.
In the Object Type list, click Microsoft Draw 98.

Microsoft Draw will open a box on your screen.
On the Edit menu, click Paste.
On the Format Menu, click Colors And Lines.
Click the Colors And Lines tab. Under Line, in the Color list, click the arrow and then click Patterned Lines.
In the Background list, select the color you want. In the Foreground list, select the color you want. Click OK.

The patterns created by this method print very nicely to PostScript (and other) printers. However, Microsoft Draw 98 does not give you as many pattern choices as Publisher.