Encapsulated PostScript

Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) is a PostScript document format that conforms to (DSC) in order to be usable as a. EPS files are more-or-less self-contained, reasonably predictable PostScript documents that describe an image or drawing and can be placed within another PostScript document. An EPS file is essentially a PostScript program, saved as a single file that includes a low-resolution preview "encapsulated" within it, allowing some programs to display a preview on the screen.

An EPS file contains a  DSC comment, describing the rectangle containing the image described by the EPS file. Applications can use this information to lay out the page, even if they are unable to directly render the PostScript inside.

EPS, together with DSC's Open Structuring Conventions, form the basis of early versions of the Adobe Illustrator Artwork file format.

Conversion in macOS
PostScript (PS) and EPS files were once commonly used to send graphics to Apple Computer's PostScript-based LaserWriter printers. These legacy files can be converted to the more common Portable Document Format (PDF) with Preview in macOS.