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]
Common Ground page definition language
CPCL, Comtec Printer Control Language (now Zebra)
DjVu, a mixed raster content (MRC) format supporting OCR-based scanned documents (AT&T Labs)
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)
