In
digital printing, a page description language (PDL) is a computer language that describes the appearance of a printed page in a higher level than an actual output
bitmap (or generally
raster graphics). An overlapping term is printer control language, which includes Hewlett-Packard's
Printer Command Language (PCL).
PostScript is one of the most noted page description languages. The
markup language adaptation of the PDL is the page description markup language.
Page description languages are text (human-readable) or binary data streams, usually intermixed with text or graphics to be printed. They are distinct from graphics
application programming interfaces (APIs) such as
GDI and
OpenGL that can be called by software to generate graphical output.
Apple Raster, formerly known as URF, used by the
AirPrint protocol.[1]
Canon GARO, Graphic Arts language with Raster Operations (for large format printers), based on
Hewlett-Packard PCL3GUI / RTL and CPCA job description language.[2]
ESC/Page, Epson Standard Code for Page Printer, a page description language (distinct from ESC/P) used in a number of Epson laser printers, especially Japanese models
SVG, an XML-based graphics description language primarily developed for the
World Wide Web
Canon SG Raster (Swift Graphics Raster for large format printers), based on Hewlett-Packard PCL3GUI / RTL and IVEC (XML formatted job description language)
TSPL/TSPL2, Taiwan Semiconductor Printing/Programming Language (
TSMC)
TTP, print language by Swecoin for kiosk printers (now Zebra)
UFR (Ultra Fast Rendering), a proprietary language (Canon)