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Appendix A: Understanding Fonts
Bitmapped and
Scalable Fonts
The printer uses both bitmapped and scalable fonts.
Bitmapped fonts are stored in printer memory as pre-
defined patterns of bits that represent a typeface at a spe-
cific size, style and resolution. An example of a character
from a bitmapped font is shown at left.
Bitmapped fonts are available in different type styles and
point sizes as downloadable fonts. Contact your point of
purchase for more information about downloadable fonts.
Scalable fonts are stored as computer programs that define
the outlines of the characters in the font. Each time you
print characters from a scalable font, the printer creates a
bitmap of the characters at the point size you choose and
saves it temporarily in printer memory. These temporary
bitmapped fonts are deleted when you turn off or reset the
printer. Scalable fonts provide the flexibility of printing in
many different point sizes.
Your printer uses different scalable font formats for down-
loading fonts to the printer. PCL 6 emulation uses Intelli-
font and TrueType scalable fonts. PostScript 3 emulation
uses Type 1 and TrueType scalable fonts. There are thou-
sands of different scalable fonts available in these different
font formats from numerous font suppliers.
If you plan to use many downloadable bitmapped or scal-
able fonts or if you plan to use many different sizes of scal-
able fonts, you may need to purchase additional memory
for your printer. See page 206 for more information.