How do I compile my LaTeX doc to make it suitable for printing at 300 DPI?

Question

I have a LaTeX document that uses the \usepackage{lmodern} font. It will be printed on a (low resolution) 300 DPI printer that only takes raster images as input (an old Riso printer).

After compiling the file I convert it to a raster image @300DPI. This looks quite good.

I was wondering though if there's some way to rasterize the font using some hinting tables or so that are set up for printing at 300 DPI resolution. It's important that the different lines of different thickness are as balanced as possible et cetera. Basically I just want the low resolution PDF generated to look as close as possible to the font, I don't want serifs to be to short and so on, as can happen if I just rasterize the PDF and scale it to size in bitmap format.

I found the command \pdfpkresolution, but I'm not sure how it works.

How can I get the most suitable type output for printing at 300 DPI?

Answer 1

If I understand you right you can try the following MWE:

\documentclass{article}% article scrartcl

\usepackage{blindtext}% to build dummy text or document
\usepackage{lmodern}

 \pdfpkresolution=300    % dpi       % see pdftex manual
%\pdfimageresolution=300 % dpi       % see pdftex manual


\begin{document}
\Blinddocument           % dummy document
\end{document}

In the PdfTeX manual (try texdoc pdftex-a on your console) under 7.3 Fonts you will find:

\pdfpkresolution (integer)

This integer parameter specifies the default resolution of embedded PK fonts and is read when pdfTEX embeds a PK font during finishing the pdf output. As bitmap fonts are still rendered poorly by some pdf viewers, it is best to use Type 1 fonts when available.

As you can see you can add an integer number for the dpi you want, only the number, no unit.