RFC 2346 (rfc2346) - Page 1 of 6
Making Postscript and PDF International
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group J. Palme
Request for Comments: 2346 Stockholm University/KTH
Category: Informational May 1998
Making Postscript and PDF International
Status of this Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does
not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this
memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1998). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
Certain text formats, for example Postscript (MIME-Type:
application/postscript; file extension .ps) and Portable Document
Format (MIME-Type: application/pdf; file extension .pdf) specify
exactly the page layout of the printed document. The commonly used
paper format is different in North America and the rest of the world.
North America uses the 'Letter' format, while the rest of the world
mostly uses the ISO-standard 'A4' format. This means that documents
formatted on one continent may not be easily printable on another
continent. This memo gives advice on how to produce documents which
are equally well printable with the Letter and the A4 formats. By
using the advice in this document, you can put up a document on the
Internet, which recipients can print without problem both in and
outside North America.
A very short summary of the advice in this document: If you are using
U.S. Letter paper format, ensure that both the left and right margins
are at least 21 mm (0.8 in). If you are using A4 paper format, ensure
that both the top and bottom margins are at least 33 mm (1.3 in).
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 2
2. Two methods for printing on different paper formats 2
2.1 Method 1: Use wider margins 2
2.2 Method 2: Print with reduced size 3
2.3 Method 3: Buy paper in the A4 size 4
3. Acknowledgements 4
4. Security Considerations 4
5. References 4
Palme Informational