As ink-jet printers keep on producing even clearer images without the need for special paper and the cost is kept within most people’s reach, it is little wonder that they are becoming the first choice for both beginner and professional computer users. However, they do have one drawback over the Laser printer. The Mac uses a graphical language called QuickDraw to display images on screen and manipulate both bitmap and vector images internally. Printers don’t understand Quickdraw so your Mac has to “rasterise” documents (convert them to bitmap information) before sending them to your printer.
Some desktop publishing and illustration programs such as QuarkXpress or Adobe Illustrator use PostScript which is similar to Quickdraw but much more sophisticated. An ordinary Mac printer can’t cope with PostScript without extra help. This means buying a PostScript printer or using a software “interpreter” such as StyleScript.
The current version of StyleScript is 3.8 and has an increase of supported printers
MEETING PRINTER REQUIREMENTS
Make sure your printer is one of the following which are supported by StyleScript:
Apple StyleWriter II, Epson Color Stylus 500
Apple SryleWriter 1200, Epson Color Stylus 600
Apple Color StyleWriter Pro, Epson Color Stylus 800
Apple Color SryleWrirer 1500, Epson Color Stylus 1520
Apple Color StyleWriter 2200, Hewlett-Packard DeskWriter 550C
Apple Color StyleWriter 2400, Hewlett-Packard DeskWriter 600C
Apple Color StyleWriter 2500, Hewlett-Packard DeskWriter 660C
Apple Color StyleWriter 4100, Hewlett-Packard DeskWriter 680C
Apple StyleWriter 4500, Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 850C
Apple StyleWriter 6500, Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 855C
Canon BJC 4550, Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 870
HewlettPackard DeskJet 1120C
MEETING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
To use StyleScript, your computer must meet these requirements:
• Processor: A 68020, ‘030, ‘040 or PowerPC based Macintosh
(the Epson 600/800/1520 and HP DeskJet 1 120C require a PowerPC processor)
• System Software: Mac OS version 7.1 or higher
• RAM: 16 Mb RAM
• Storage: a CD-ROM drive
Please note that if your Macintosh has a 68K processor, you cannot install
StyleScript for the Epson Stylus 600/800/1520 or the HP Deskjet 1120C.
Installation follows the usual Macintosh format using the Install StyleScript icon. The end result is an additional choice in the chooser. Once selected for the first time, the Postscript driver setup needs to be installed. This can be done automatically by choosing Setup, then Auto Setup.
Here is an example of printing a clip art alphabet from the Art Explosion selection using the Apple Color StyleWriter 2500 with Photo Enhance.
Top: Apple ColorStyleWriter on its own
 
Bottom: StyleScript 2500 chosen
Not only are the jagged edges gone, but also the colour is deeper.
There is help in the manual when using other specific applications and it also does not seem to like ColorSync, especially with photo images. On balance, I would say it is a must have for anyone with a suitable ink-jet printer.
You can find out more about the software at <http://www.infowave.net/>