Printers

A print job is one or more input files that have been submitted for printing.

RICOH ProcessDirector can interact with printers represented by these printer object types:

AFP

AFP printer objects represent Intelligent Printer Data Stream (IPDS) printers. They print jobs in AFP format. You can use all RICOH ProcessDirector actions with jobs that have been submitted to AFP printers. This object type is available only when the AFP Support feature is installed.

Some IPDS printers, such as the InfoPrint 5000, also print non-IPDS jobs. You can configure the AFP printer object to share the physical printer. When shared, the physical printer can accept non-IPDS jobs from another input source, such as a hot folder.

Custom PDF

Custom PDF printer objects represent PostScript printers that are not on the list of supported Ricoh PDF printers. These printers include some Ricoh PostScript printers and PostScript printers from other manufacturers. RICOH ProcessDirector uses a custom printer definition file to convert PDF print files into PostScript commands supported by a Custom PDF printer. In response to customer requests, Ricoh creates the custom printer definition files from PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files supplied by the manufacturers.

These printer objects can be defined on Linux secondary servers and Windows application servers. They cannot be defined on AIX primary and secondary servers.

You cannot use some of the RICOH ProcessDirector job actions (such as Jump to) with jobs that have been submitted to Custom PDF printers.

When you use the Stop job action:

• Depending on the control unit of the printer, the job stops printing.
• RICOH ProcessDirector stops sending segments of multiple-segment jobs to the printer.

Kodak PDF

Kodak PDF printer objects represent printers that can print PDF files. This object type is available only if the Cut Sheet Support for Kodak feature is installed.

Passthrough

Passthrough printer objects represent printers that can print jobs in non-AFP formats such as PCL, PostScript, and PDF. You specify the command that sends the jobs to the printer. You cannot use some of the RICOH ProcessDirector job actions (such as Jump to and Stop) with jobs that have been submitted to Passthrough printers.

PCLOut

PCLOut printer objects represent Printer Command Language (PCL) printers. They print jobs that are submitted in AFP format and converted to PCL format. You specify the command that sends the jobs to the printer. You cannot use some of the RICOH ProcessDirector job actions (such as Jump to and Continue) with jobs that have been submitted to PCLOut printers. You can use the Stop action only on a job that is printing on a PCLOut printer. You must request the action while the job is being converted to PCL. This object type is available only if the AFP Support feature is installed.

Ricoh PDF

Ricoh PDF printer objects represent printers that can print PDF files. Depending on what data streams your printer supports, you can tell RICOH ProcessDirector to send the printer PostScript, or JDF job tickets with the PDF files.

These printer objects can be defined on Linux secondary servers and Windows application servers. They cannot be defined on AIX primary and secondary servers.

You cannot use some of the RICOH ProcessDirector job actions (such as Jump to) with jobs that have been submitted to Ricoh PDF printers.

When you use the Stop job action:

• Depending on the control unit of the printer, the job stops printing.
• RICOH ProcessDirector stops sending segments of multiple-segment jobs to the printer.

Ricoh TotalFlow

Ricoh TotalFlow printer objects represent printers that use TotalFlow Print Server.

When some models of Ricoh TotalFlow printers print a job, they send ink usage information to RICOH ProcessDirector. To determine whether your printer supports this feature, consult the printer documentation.

Xerox PDF

Xerox PDF printer objects represent printers that can print PDF files. This object type is available only if the Cut Sheet Support for Xerox feature is installed.

You can configure some printers to monitor a hot folder for non-IPDS files. You can use RICOH ProcessDirector to copy jobs to the hot folder for the printer. In this case, you do not create a printer object.

You cannot use some of the RICOH ProcessDirector job actions (such as Print again and Jump to) with jobs that are submitted to the hot folder for a printer.