LaserWriter 8500: Actual Versus Specified Line Length

I own a LaserWriter 8500 that I use in my publishing business for outputting single color separations. I require a high-level of printing accuracy for this type of work. On some of my printed output I have observed that the specified output length for lines does not always match the actual output length when printed to the LaserWriter 8500. The actual output length can be up to 1/16" shorter than expected. Is this normal?
As you require extreme output precision, you may observe that the specified output doesn't match the actual output in the scanning direction. For example, an 8x8 inch square drawn in a graphics application and then printed to the LaserWriter 8500 may have sides whose length varies from the specified 8 inches. The side of the rectangle parallel to the feed direction (vertical) is typically the specified length, yet the side parallel to the scanning direction (horizontal) may be slightly shorter.

The printed output from the LaserWriter 8500 is within specifications and is not a cause for concern for the majority of customers. If you require precision output, Apple has released a modified PPD file which provides a method for fine-tuning the printed output. The PPD provides 8 adjustment settings from which to choose until appropriate output is realized.

The modified PPD file titled LaserWriter 8500 PPD 1.2 can be downloaded from the Apple Software Updates web site at http://www.apple.com/swupdates. A Read Me file is included with the update which provides detailed installation and usage instructions.

Published Date: Feb 18, 2012