PostScript error: invalidrestore

An PostScript error invalidrestore error signals an improper restore (often a string, dictionary, or procedure is left on the stack that needs to be discarded before restore).

Solutions

  • This error can be caused by imported graphics or data corruption. Try opening all graphics in the application used to create them to check for corrupted data. Try sending the file to another device to see whether it is the transfer of data that is causing the problem.
  • Nesting files (e.g. putting an EPS in another EPS, placing that EPS on a page, exporting the page to PDF to put it on another page and then saving that final page as a PS-file to impose it) can also lead to invalrestore errors. Avoiding excessive nesting while creating or processing documents is always a good idea. Since it is sometimes impossible to know which images or other elements already have other files embedded within them, selectively deleting elements and reprinting the page is sometimes the only way of finding the bad element.
  • This error may also be caused by a problem with the printer driver. Reinstalling it or upgrading to the latest version might solve the problem.
  • There is a well document error causing older versions of Acrobat Distiller to generate a PostScript error “invalidrestore”, offending command “restore”. Check ‘Restore’ in the list of error message.
  • PDF files created by Niknak version 1.1 Patch Level 2 can cause invalidrestore errors when printed from Exchange to an Adobe RIP. This was fixed in patchlevel 3 of Niknak.
  • Windows Server 2003 printer queues can cause invalidrestore problems. Microsoft has a patch available to address this problem.
  • Printshop Mail version 97 can cause this error. Setting the ‘Send TrueType fonts as’ option in the printer driver to ‘Type ‘4 solves the problem.