Mac OS 8.5: Watermarks Containing Diagonal Text Prints Incorrectly

This article discusses an issue where watermarks containing diagonal, vector-based text do not print correctly to QuickDraw-based printers under Mac OS 8.5.
Current workarounds include:
- choosing a watermark that does not use diagonal text (such as Proposal).
- creating a new watermark that does not use diagonal text.
- converting the diagonal text from a vector to a bitmap.

QuickDraw printers include the StyleWriter series and printers that use the LaserWriter 300/LS driver.

To create your own watermark, use an application program that can save a file in PICT format. Place the PICT file in the Printing Prefs folder of your System Folder. AppleWorks is one example of this type of application.

A bitmap graphic is drawn at a specific resolution. When scaled to another resolution, the lines in the picture can look jagged. A vector-based graphic is one that is not drawn at a specific resolution.

Rescaling a vector graphic results in smooth lines (and a smooth picture) at the new size. In AppleWorks for example, bitmaps are created in the "paint" mode of the program, while vectors are created in the "draw" mode.

When creating a bitmap-based watermark, set the resolution to 150-300 dpi, and draw the watermark to size for best results.
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012