HP DesignJet Z6100 Poster Printing Instructions for Windows

Download and Install the Printer Driver

  1. Obtain the printer driver:
    1. Create a a folder to store your files temporarily.
    2. Download the Windows printer driver to your folder.
  2. Obtain the PPD file

Download the  PPD file, which contains information needed when you install the printer driver.

  1. Install the printer driver using the PPD information

Open the folder where you saved the driver and PPD files and double-click the winsteng.exe icon to install the AdobePS printer driver. Choose options as follows or use the above tutorial to assist your installation of the driver:

    1. Click "Next" on the "Welcome" screen.
    2. Read and accept the license agreement.
    3. Keep the default choice ("Local Printer") for "Printer Connection Type" and click "Next."
    4. On the "Local Port Selection" screen, choose "File:" and click "Next."
    5. On the "Select Printer Model" screen, click "Browse" and find the folder where you saved the PPD file. "HP DesignJet Z6100 " should appear in the left pane. Click "OK." "HP DesignJet Z6100 " now appears in the list of printers. Click its name if it is not already highlighted and click "Next."
    6. On the "Sharing" screen, for "Will this printer be shared with other network users?" click  "Not shared" and click "Next."
    7. On the "Printer Information" screen,
      1. Leave the option "Do you want to use this printer as your default printer?" set to "No." (Ordinarily, you will probably print to a different printer. If there are no other printers defined on your system, this option will be automatically set to "Yes" and grayed out--you won't be able to change it. This is because the first printer installed on a Windows system is automatically made the default. You may also type a different name for the printer, if you like. This is the name that will appear in the printer selection dialog of your applications.)
      2. Click "No" for the option "Would you like to print the test page?".
      3. Click "Next."
    8. On the "Setup Information" screen, "Click "Install" to install the driver.
    9. After the files are copied, at the "Printer Configuration" screen, you will be asked "Would you like to configure your printer now?" Click "No" and click "Next".
    10. On the "Setup Complete" screen, you can choose to view the "ReadMe" file. This file contains release notes for AdobePS. We recommend reading through it for information about known problems with applications you may use. Click "Finish" to complete the setup. You will be prompted to restart your computer.

After you have installed the HP DesignJet Z6100 printer driver, you will be able to select the HP Z6100 DesignJet printer from the application you use to create your poster. Selecting this printer allows you to save your project as a Postscript (PS) file. You can then convert the PS file to a PDF to preview it.

Create Your Poster

Design your poster project with the correct paper size using the application of your choice. Below is an example for creating a poster using PowerPoint. Although Powerpoint was not designed for poster production, many people have the product and are happy with its results. If you plan on using logos in your poster presentation, use the "eps" format for better printing quality. If you are using UD approved logos from the IdeaCenter, download the "eps" version, and import the file to the graphics package you are using to layout your poster.

Create a project on Powerpoint and convert to PostScript

Design your poster project with the correct paper size using the application of your choice. Below is an example for creating a poster using PowerPoint. Although PowerPoint was not designed for graphic art production, many people have the product and are happy with its results.

The HP Z6100 prints documents that are converted to PostScript files as they pass through the Onyx RIP station. By saving your file in the ".ps" (PostScript) format, you will be able to view your project as it will truly print.

 

PowerPoint 2002/2003 Page Setup

  • Open a new PowerPoint document.
  • Choose "Page Setup" from the "File" menu.
  • Choose "Custom" and enter your poster's dimensions.
  • Design your poster and save it in case you need to make revisions later.
  • From the “File” menu choose “Print”:
    • Choose the HP DesignJet Z6100 from the printer list.
    • Choose "Properties," and "Advanced."
    • Choose the paper size that matches your document or create a Posstcript custom size. (hint: reverse the printing dimensions from the page set-up settings in the Custom Page size definition window – see illustration on following page
    • Click "OK" to save your selection.
  • Click "OK."
  • If you have a .pdf distilling program on your computer, select the checkbox next to Print to file and click "OK."

 

 

PowerPoint 2007 Page Setup

  • Open a new PowerPoint document.
  • Choose "Page Setup" from the "Design" tab.
  • Enter your poster's dimensions.
  • Design your poster and save it in case you need to make revisions later.
  • From the MS Office icon list choose “Print”:
    • Choose the HP DesignJet Z6100 from the printer list.
    • Choose "Properties," and "Advanced."
    • Choose the paper size that matches your document or create a Posstcript custom size. (hint: reverse the printing dimensions from the page set-up settings in the Custom Page size definition window – see illustration on following page)
    • Click "OK" to save your selection.
  • Click "OK."
  • Download and install the MS add-in to “Save As” a .pdf file.

 

Preview Your Poster

There are two options for previewing your poster:

GhostView is a program that allows you to preview PostScript files. With GhostView you will get a general idea of what your poster will look like--colors and other features may not be exact. If you want to make changes to your poster, you must make them in the original application and then preview it again. If you do not have GhostView or another PostScript viewing program, you can download a free copy:

Download and install Ghostview [tutorial]

 

  Preview your poster using Ghostview

 

If you want an exact preview of how your poster will look, you must convert your PostScript file to a PDF file and view it using Acrobat Reader.

Convert a PostScript file to a PDF file [tutorial]

Print Your Poster

Once you have previewed your file, you have two options for printing it:

Create an LPR Port for Printing

Use the following directions or the accompanying tutorials to complete this step. If you already know what an LPR port is and how to create one, all you need is the HP Z6100's IP address which is 128.175.8.236; the printer is commonly named HPZ6100_DJRIP .

Establish an LPR port if you do not have one

Configure your LPR port

Once you have configured your LPR port, when you print your file to the HP Z6100, it will go directly to the printer queue.

Note: if your project is a landscape design and the page height is less than 42", turn transverse printing on. To do this:

After you send your poster to the printer, you will have to release the print job to have the poster printed.

 

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Last updated: Jan. 2010
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