How to use .prn files

.prn files contain additional information about a specific printer alongside the actual content of the document. The dependency of the corresponding device types ensures that .prn files are seldom used in the same way.

The .prn file extension shows files which have been prepared for printing. This means that a document, including all its content and graphics has been converted to a form that is optimised for a specific printer. This is based on the printer’s driver. Alongside the converted document, the .prn file format contains information about the layout and number of pages as well as the printer compartment in certain circumstances. The information is, however, only able to be used by the selected type of printer. If you try to use a .prn file with another printer, the content will be printed, but the pages will include further information in text form.

You can create a .prn file using various text or image programs. To do this, you can select the option ‘Print’ in the program and select the printer you want to use to print the document. In the device’s menu, you will find the options ‘Print to file’ or ‘Save to file’. By clicking on one of these, the program will create a .prn file. You can now select how you would like to save the file and send it on or move it to an external memory device.

Compared to other file formats, .prn files have a few advantages. You can use this file type when you want to print a file at a later date. You can also use a .prn file to prepare a document to be printed on one computer and then use another to actually print it. However, this will only work if you’re using the same type of printer. Print shops may also occasionally use the .prn file format. It’s much more common to use a PDF file format since editing PDF files can be used across a range of printers. Just like EPS files, .prn files are used a lot less often.

You have different options when you want to open a .prn file. On a Mac, you can move the file onto the print icon or you can open the document with Apple Preview. If you want to open a .prn file using Windows, you can use the prompt to enter the following command: “copy /b filename.prn \\computername \printername”. This will, however, only work when the selected printer is connected using a USB or network cable. If this isn’t the case, you can try the following command: “copy /b filename.prn LPT1”.

There are numerous programs you can use to open a .prn file. Among these are the following:

• ACD System Canvas
• Adobe Acrobat and alternatives
• AllWeb FastPrint
• CorelDRAW
• Datawatch Monarch Pro
• Microsoft Office Document Imaging
• PrintFile

On top of this, you can also display the content of a .prn file using text editors such as Apple TextEdit, GitHub Atom or Microsoft Notepad.