Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (
More info?)
Arthur Entlich wrote:
> If my internal "biological" memory is working correctly, in the most
> simplified method of figuring out the memory required for a black and
> white bitmapped image 8.5" x 11" (which is slightly larger then you
> would be doing) at 1200 dots per inch would require 1 bit per dot, in
> the raster (being either on (black) or off (white). Laser printers,
> like inkjet printers don't create "shades" for each dot. It can only be
> one pure color (in the case of a monochrome laser printer, either black
> or not black (white). By making a pattern of dots within an area the
> perception of shades of gray can be created.
>
> Anyway, assuming no compression on the way to the printer, or within the
> printer raster development, the above scenario requires just about 13
> megs of memory. PostScript can reduce the size, depending upon the
> implementation and contact of the image.
>
^^^ that was supposed to read "content of the image"
> Now, that's just to retain the full rasterized image in memory. The
> printer may require more memory for other needs within it, which I can't
> know about. If you plan to print more than one image, having double the
> memory may allow for one image to be downloading to the printer while
> another is being rasterized or printed.
>
> Art
>
> Alain191 wrote:
>
>> Arthur Entlich <artistic@telus.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I'm assuming this is a black and white printer. You need to determine
>>> the resolution of the printer and the size of the document, for
>>> starters. A 300 dpi printer needs a lot less memory than a 600 or 800 or
>>> 1200 dpi printer.
>>>
>>> But that still won't necessarily supply you with the numbers you need.
>>> Other issues are if fonts are held in memory of the printer, if the
>>> printer uses postscript, if you wish more than one document to be held
>>> in memory of the printer, and so on.
>>>
>>> Further, some types of printers have drivers developed for them which
>>> compress the image raster before it is downloaded to them printer, which
>>> can reduce the amount of memory within the printer.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you, my need is to print one picture, at 1200dpi with a post
>> script monochrome A4 printer (IBM3116), do I need more than 16Mo ?
>>
>> Is it useful to put in it 32Mo ?
>>
>> Alain
>>