foo2zjs-pstops

foo2zjs-pstops [options] [PS-file]

-v
    Verbose mode; print processing details

-P
    Process CUPS PPD options from stdin

-L
    Force landscape orientation

-r0|-r90|-r180|-r270
    Page rotation in degrees

-z0|-z1|-z2|-z3|-z4|-z5|-z6
    Select resolution (e.g., -z3 for 600x600 dpi)

-s1|-s2|-s3|-s4|-s5|-s6|-s7|-s8|-s9|-s10|-s11|-s12|-s13|-s14
    Print speed/quality (1=fastest/lowest, 14=slowest/highest)

-p
    Paper size (e.g., -pA4, -pletter)

-n
    Number of copies (default 1)

-d
    Printer model (e.g., -dHP_LJ1018)

-X
    Page width in points

-Y
    Page height in points

-R,,,
    Margins in points (lower-left to upper-right)

The foo2zjs-pstops command is a filter utility from the foo2zjs printer driver package, designed for ZjStream-protocol printers from HP, Lexmark, Samsung, and others. It invokes Ghostscript to rasterize PostScript (PS) or PDF input into high-quality bitmaps, then applies printer-specific dithering, compression, and halftoning to produce output streams ready for devices like HP OfficeJet, Lexmark Z series, or Samsung ML series.

Commonly integrated into CUPS printing systems, it handles options for resolution, print quality, paper size, duplexing, and margins. Input is read from files or stdin, with output to stdout for piping to foo2zjs or directly to printers. It supports multiple copies, rotation, and model-specific tweaks, making it essential for Linux users without proprietary drivers.

Key strengths include grayscale and limited color support at resolutions up to 1200x600 dpi, though performance varies by model.

Requires Ghostscript (≥8.71); limited color support on most models; test with specific printer for best results. Output must pipe to foo2zjs. Deprecated in some distros favoring IPP filters.

gs -sDEVICE=ps2write -dNOPAUSE input.pdf | foo2zjs-pstops -z3 -s7 -pA4 | foo2zjs -p15
Pipes PDF to PS, converts to ZjStream at 600dpi medium quality on A4.

HP Deskjet 5550/6122, Lexmark Z22-Z35, Samsung ML-1610/2010, Kyocera FS-xxx. Full list in foo2zjs(1) manpage.

Developed starting 2003 by Toby Corkindale as open-source alternative to proprietary ZjStream drivers. Merged into OpenPrinting project; actively maintained until ~2015, with community forks for newer kernels.

foo2zjs(1), foo2zjs-wrapper(1), gs(1), lp(1)