Printing from Word - Massive File Sizes

[lagerplease]

I have a system where I need to print Word files to produce Postscript and store them on a web server for downloading by customers. Now we all know what Word is like with regards to printing (i.e., the realms of crap it tends to want to include in the Postscript) but, generally, you tend to get a reasonable sized Postscript file produced as your end result. Every now and then, though, you get an unexpected, massive PS file. The latest problem document I've come across is a two page monochrome file with just two small logos on the first page, basic black text throughout the rest and a few tables (with no background fills). This produced a 6Mb PS file which is no good for downloading from the web. I'm printing to file using a Xerox Docutech 6135 printer driver. Any ideas?

 

[eyec]

convert it to a pdf

 

[lagerplease]

Tried that ('cos the documents need to be imposed) but even more crap gets put in the PDF and I end up with something like 18 Mb as the resultant PS output. The end result has to be Postscript 'cos it's edited on the fly when it's been downloaded.

 

[macropod]

Hi eyec,

Even b&w graphics can lead to large ps files if the graphics are higher res or have more colour-depth than is necessary.

Generally speaking, you're unlikely to need any more than 300dpi resolution. If your graphic generates more than that, the extra is just using up storage space & bandwidth. Also, if your graphic is only b&w, make sure it was saved with only a 1-bit colour depth. Exporting 24-bit b&w graphics to ps also uses up and unnecessary amount of storage space & bandwidth.

So, scale the image down to the minimum required size, and save as a 1-bit gif before importing into Word.

Cheers