Free online EPS to PS converter

A publishing application, RIP, or PostScript printer may require a standalone PS file instead of an encapsulated EPS asset. Conversion can also adapt artwork for older print queues, prepress systems, or software that expects a complete PostScript document.

What the EPS format is

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a PostScript-based graphics format designed to place one illustration inside another document. It commonly contains PostScript instructions, a %%BoundingBox comment defining the artwork limits, and sometimes a low-resolution preview for applications that cannot render PostScript directly.

Illustration and page-layout applications, prepress tools, and Ghostscript-based workflows use EPS for logos, diagrams, vector artwork, and print graphics. EPS can contain vector paths, text, and embedded bitmap data. It is normally an imported graphic asset, not a complete page intended for direct printing.

What the PS format is

PS is a file containing PostScript, Adobe’s page-description language. Unlike EPS, a PS document can define page setup, paper size, fonts, graphics, and one or more complete pages without EPS encapsulation rules.

PS is accepted by PostScript printers, raster image processors (RIPs), print queues, prepress systems, and older desktop-publishing software. Its page-oriented structure can improve compatibility with those systems, but conversion does not automatically reduce file size, improve image quality, or make the artwork more editable.

How to convert EPS to PS

For a direct, repeatable conversion, use Ghostscript. Its ps2write device interprets the EPS and writes a regular PostScript document:

gs -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=ps2write -sOutputFile=output.ps input.eps

On Windows, use the console executable and quote filenames containing spaces:

gswin64c.exe -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=ps2write -sOutputFile="output.ps" "input.eps"

Replace the input and output filenames as required. If the output must use the EPS artwork bounds as its page size, add -dEPSCrop:

gs -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -dEPSCrop -sDEVICE=ps2write -sOutputFile=output.ps input.eps

If the target workflow requires a specific paper size, set it explicitly instead of relying on the device default:

gs -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=ps2write -sPAPERSIZE=a4 -sOutputFile=output.ps input.eps

Use either -dEPSCrop or a defined paper size according to the destination workflow; cropping to the artwork bounds is not the same as producing an A4 or Letter page.

For a graphical workflow, open the EPS in a PostScript-aware application such as Adobe Illustrator and use File → Save As or File → Export if the installed version provides a PostScript output option. Check the application’s page, font, and compatibility settings before saving. Illustrator versions and available PostScript export commands vary, so Ghostscript is more predictable for automated conversion.

Users can also convert the file for free on 101convert.com without installing software.

Quality and compatibility limitations

Ordinary vector paths usually remain vector data because both formats use PostScript instructions. Transparency, gradients, proprietary Illustrator operators, unsupported filters, linked images, and complex clipping effects may render differently when Ghostscript or another application interprets the EPS.

Check fonts before conversion. A font that is neither embedded in the EPS nor installed for the converter can be substituted. Converting text to outlines in the authoring application prevents font substitution but removes text editability and can increase path complexity.

Inspect the resulting PS file in a PostScript viewer or test it on the destination RIP or printer, especially when the EPS contains unusual Document Structuring Conventions (DSC), multiple pages, spot colors, or device-specific operators. Preserve the original EPS because PS rewriting can discard application-specific editing data.

Do not simply rename input.eps to input.ps. Although EPS contains PostScript, its bounding-box comments, preview data, and encapsulated structure do not necessarily provide the page setup required by a PS consumer. Rewriting it with a PostScript interpreter creates a more suitable page-oriented file.