First Step to Importing Production Printer Fonts for Use in Windows
By: Dean Heckman

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To fully appreciate the Elixir PrintDriver and it’s font handling capabilities, you must first understand how the Windows environment "ties" an application and printer together to generate the required output.

Note: If you never plan on proof printing documents that use AFP Production Printer fonts, then disregard the rest of this page.

If you want the ability to proof print documents - that use AFP Production Printer fonts - on your HP comaptible printer, read on . . .

Technology Overview

To enable the use of AFP Production Printer fonts in the Windows Apps, and the ability to proof print documents using these fonts, the key point to remember is this:

  • Every printer you use in Windows has to have the Production Printer fonts loaded/installed. This is just like the Xerox Centralized printers. If you have two 4890 printers, you have to have the fonts loaded on both printer’s hard drives. Otherwise you get the "Font file xxxxxx.FNT not found - Job Aborted" error message.

    How can you print something with a specified font if the font resource isn’t there??? You can’t. . .

So, you need to Load/Install (via the Printer’s Setup Options) all the Production Printer fonts you want to use in your Windows applications. This has to be done for the Elixir PrintDriver and all the HP LaserJet compatible printers you will use for proofing. My suggestion is to use the HP LaserJet IID printer driver as your proof printer driver - regardless of what model your printer really is. . .

Then, in your applications, specify a default printer like the Elixir PrintDriver or HP LJ-IID.

After performing these steps (along with the detailed instructions later) you will see the Production Printer fonts in the font list dialog boxes within your applications.

Remember - If you don’t see the Production Printer fonts in the font list, check your Default Printer option within your application. It should be Elixir PrintDriver on Disk or HP LaserJet IID.

Install the Elixir PrintDriver Software

  • Follow the Installation Instructions in the Elixir PrintDriver User Guide
  • After installation, copy your AFP  fonts to the Elixir P/C using the   host download. The fonts go in the drive:\ELIXIR\FONTS\X97IN directory.

Add the HP Laserjet IID Printer Driver to Windows

  • Open the Main Group, then Control Panel
  • Select the Printers Icon
  • Press the Add >> button
  • Scroll through the list and select the HP Laserjet IID driver
  • After loading the HP Laserjet IID driver, it will appear in the Installed Printers dialog box
  • Now press the Close button