PostScript “undefined / OffendingCommand” — switch PS ↔ PCL the right way

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Windows 11/10, macOS, PostScript & PCL, Drivers, Office Printers

Fix PostScript errors — choose the correct driver and printer language (PS vs PCL)

Technician

Hi! If you’re getting a PostScript “undefined/OffendingCommand” message, your queue is likely sending PostScript (PS) data to a printer that expects PCL, or the PS interpreter can’t parse fonts/images from the app or PDF. We’ll identify the offending command (e.g., image, setfont, curveto) and switch PS ↔ PCL the right way so you can print reliably.

Customer

My Ricoh throws “OffendingCommand: undefined” and sometimes “invalidfont” when printing PDFs from Edge and Adobe. Windows 11. Which driver should I use — PCL 6 / PCL XL or PS?

Technician

Why this happens:
• Driver mismatch — a PS queue talks to a PCL-only device, or vice-versa.
• Missing/blocked fonts (e.g., Type 1 or subsetted CID) → OffendingCommand setfont / invalidfont.
• Complex transparency/gradients → rangecheck / VMerror on the device’s PS RIP.
• Raw PS sent from the app (Edge/Chrome) while the printer language is forced to PCL in the device menu.
We’ll detect capability, then pick the stable path: PCL 6 (PCL XL) for general use, or PS driver for design workflows that require accurate EPS/PDF handling.

Customer

How do I switch from PS to PCL correctly without breaking finishing options and accounting codes?

Technician

5-minute switch PS → PCL (Windows 11/10):
1) Download the vendor PCL 6 (PCL XL) driver for your exact model (not “Class Driver”).
2) Add a new queue: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device → Add manually → Standard TCP/IP Port to the printer’s static IP.
3) Choose Have Disk → point to the PCL driver INF → name it “Model – PCL6”. Keep your old PS queue for testing.
4) In Printer Properties → Device Settings, re-enable finishers/duplex/staple and accounting codes if used.
5) Set PCL queue as Default. Print a simple PDF and an Office doc. This avoids PostScript undefined and is fastest for day-to-day jobs.

Customer

We also output from InDesign/Illustrator. Do we still need the PS driver for accurate vectors?

Technician

Keep a PS queue for color-critical design/EPS workflows if the device has a licensed PS interpreter. Set printer’s language = Auto/PS in the device menu. In Adobe apps, prefer Print to Adobe PDF (flatten transparency), then send the PDF via the PCL queue if PS errors persist. Many shops run both: **PCL6 for office**, **PS for design**, choosing per job.

Customer

What about the actual error lines — mine shows OffendingCommand: image. Any quick fix without changing drivers?

Technician

Fast app/PDF tweaks:
• In Acrobat/Reader: Print → Advanced → enable Print as image (rasterize) — bypasses the PS interpreter for complex transparency/gradients.
• Disable driver option Advanced Printing Features (Printer Properties → Advanced).
• Embed fonts when exporting PDF; avoid legacy Type 1 fonts to prevent invalidfont.
• From browsers, try System print dialog (Ctrl+Shift+P) or “Save as PDF” first, then print the PDF.

Customer

If we do need PostScript, how do we switch from PCL to PS the safe way on Windows?

Technician

Switch PCL → PS (Windows):
• Confirm the printer has a genuine PostScript option (PS3/Adobe). On the device panel, set Language: Auto/PS.
• Add a new queue via Standard TCP/IP Port → install the vendor PS driver (Have Disk). Name it “Model – PS”.
• In Device Settings, load finishers and color profiles. Test with a simple EPS/PDF from Adobe Illustrator.
• If PS errors continue, flatten transparency on export (PDF/X-4 or rasterize images at 300 dpi) and retry.

Customer

We’re on macOS in design. Getting “rangecheck” and “VMerror”. Any mac-specific tips?

Technician

macOS: Add printer with IP → Line Printer Daemon (LPD) or IPP using the vendor PS/PCL PPD. In Acrobat, use Advanced → Print as Image for troubled PDFs. If the device supports PS but errors persist, switch the queue temporarily to PCL or export a flattened PDF. Keep fonts embedded and avoid oversized transparencies.

Customer

Could a class driver be the whole problem? Windows installed one automatically.

Technician

Avoid class drivers for PS/PCL switching. The “Microsoft IPP Class” or “Generic PCL/PS” often lacks full features and triggers OffendingCommand on complex PDFs. Always use the vendor driver that matches your model and firmware.

Customer

Great. Can you summarize the fixes we should apply company-wide?

Technician

Summary: Use PCL6/PCL XL for reliable office printing; keep a PS queue only if you need true PostScript. Add queues with Standard TCP/IP Port, install vendor drivers via Have Disk, and set the printer’s language to Auto/PS when using PS. For stubborn PDFs, enable Print as Image, embed fonts, or export a flattened PDF. Need help mapping queues and device settings? Open the chat — I’ll walk you through it live.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix for a PostScript “undefined/OffendingCommand” error: switch the queue to a PCL6 (PCL XL) driver installed via Standard TCP/IP Port and use the vendor INF. If PS is required, ensure the device supports PS and set Language = Auto/PS; for complex PDFs use Print as Image or flatten on export.

FAQ

Step-by-step (Windows 11/10)

1. Add a new queue with Standard TCP/IP Port to the printer’s static IP.
2. Install the vendor PCL6 (PCL XL) driver via Have Disk; name it “Model – PCL6”.
3. Keep a second queue with the PS driver only if the device supports PostScript.
4. Disable Advanced Printing Features if PS errors persist; in Acrobat enable Print as Image.
5. Test PDFs and Office docs; set the stable queue as Default.

Optional: macOS tips

1. Add printer via IP → LPD/IPP and select the vendor PPD (PCL or PS).
2. Export PDFs with fonts embedded; avoid Type 1; flatten heavy transparency.
3. If PS errors continue, print via a PCL queue or rasterize from Acrobat.

Sources

• Adobe — Troubleshoot PostScript errors
• HP — PCL vs PS driver guidance
• Ricoh — Model-specific driver & language settings

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