• KPDL2 - Kyocera, PostScript 2
• KPDL3 - Kyocera, PostScript 3
• PhoenixPage, OakPage - Phoenix Technologies, Xionics, Oak Technology, Zoran
• BrotherScript - Brother
• PageStyler - Destiny Technology, Primax Electronics
• TrueImage - Bauer Enterprises, Microsoft
• TurboPS - Newgen Systems

PostScript is a Page Description Language (PDL) developed by Adobe Systems Inc. since the early 1980's. Adobe was formed in 1982 by Dr. John E. Warnock and Dr. Charles M. Geschke. It provides a verbose language of instructions to describe a page of information. While it requires more memory to work with than most PDL's, it was the first widely available product that allowed for control over a large number of fonts and graphical objects. Further excels PostScript being not only a PDL, but also a real programming language whith loop functions, new function definitions and file access.

The first version published in 1985 (the old Red Book) is called Level 1, followed by Level 2 (the big Red Book) in 1991. The current implementation (since 1997) has lost the 'level' reference and is simply called PostScript 3 (do not mix these levels with the PostScript version a printer supports, e.g. version 47.0 or version 2011.110, nor with the number in the begin line of any PostScript output like ”%!PS-Adobe-3.0”). The PostScript level and to an extent the version of the interpreter too, define the possible operations.

There are several PostScript clones around because of the costly licensing fees for Adobe's interpreter, the best-known surely is GhostScript. Others, built directly into laser printers or addable via cartridges, are Phoenix Page, OakPage, Brotherscript, Page Styler, True Image, Turbo PS, PDL and KPDL. Naturally they all claim to be 100% PostScript compatible, but this compatibility sometimes ends when it comes to font downloading, font manipulation like adding a metric table or adding new characters, or some other operations. The printing of simple text and graphics is usually no problem with these clones. More and more printer manufacturers are using embedded Printer Controllers from third parties (like i.e. EFI or IDT) to be able to concentrate on the basics of modern Multi Functional Printers (MFP's). Sometimes those specialized controllers are used as optionals when special demands arize like printing of heavy true color graphics. As a rule those controllers use a large set of extra PostScript commands (mostly not used by Adobe…) to control the hardware they are connected to or embedded in and therefore can only be used i.c.w. printer drivers of the controller manufacturer and at the same further expending the grey area of 'lesser known private PostScript commands'.

An extensive test suite for PostScript interpreters and clones is maintained and marketed by QualityLogic.

The latest technical reference manuals can be found on Adobe's website.

• O&K Software
  • O&K Printer Viewer Postscript file viewer.

• Artifex Software Inc The exclusive commercial licenser and supporter of Ghostscript Technologies.
• QualityLogic Printer/MFP Test Tools and Services
• WikiBooks PostScript FAQ
• InkGuides PostScript & GhostScript Resource Directory
• TailRecursive PostScript Introduction