DCS 2.0 File Format

Desktop Color Separations (DCS) is a special preseparated version of EPS. Unlike TIFF and standard EPS format files, which have all their colors combined in their file format containers, DCS files save their color information already preseparated. In the early days of desktop publishing and PostScript printing, we used DCS format images to help speed up the RIP and printing process. This was back when we were using 25MHz computers that required six hours to process
a 40MB image! With today’s more-powerful computers and RIPs, we no longer are required to use DCS format to help us meet production deadlines. However, we do need to use DCS 2.0 for printing separated spot colors from Photoshop.