[comp.lang.postscript] write-black/write-white differences in PostScript fonts

peter@memex.co.uk (Peter Ilieve) (06/29/89)

We have had a LaserWriter (Canon CX write-black engine, Postscript
V23.0) for some years connected to a Unix machine printing a mix of
straight text, troff and TeX.  We now also have a GCC Business
LaserPrinter (Ricoh ?? write-white engine, Postscript V49.2).

We were expecting the Metafont produced Computer Modern fonts made for
the LaserWriter to come out looking light on the GCC, and they do.  We
were suprised that the PostScript fonts are also much lighter on the
GCC, about as much lighter as the CM fonts are.

Is this reasonable?  I thought that the PostScript font rasterisation
would compensate for the difference in engine type.  Does anyone
(Adobe?) have any comments?

Perhaps I should not have bought the PostScript Helvetica Light font that
our marketing man liked, just used Helvetica on the GCC printer instead :-)

The GCC does not have a density control knob, the LW knob is set at its
mid point.  We are using whatever paper gets bought for the
photocopier, not special laser paper.

	Peter Ilieve		peter@memex.co.uk