GKS Appendix E metafiles may be interpreted onto a range of hardcopy devices using the command GRPLOT, or converted to another format using GRCONV. These two commands have replaced the old utilities GKSVT, GKSCP, GKSX87, GKS3812, and GKSSGML.
GRCONV runs locally to convert a GKS Appendix E metafile into a PostScript file or a file of Tektronix 4014 escape sequences. The command also may be used to convert a metafile into IBM 3812 format for inclusion in documents produced by SGML. GRPLOT plots a metafile on a device specified by a parameter. Supported devices include the computer centre monochrome and colour Versatec plotters, the Xerox 4050s, and the IBM 3812s.
Apart from Appendix E metafiles, it is possible to produce PostScript or Tektronix 4014 output files, either directly from GKS, via GRVIEW, or via GRCONV. PostScript files may be printed on any local PostScript printer, although they are less versatile than a metafile and may not be edited or plotted on any other type of hardcopy device. Various laser printers accept files of Tektronix 4014 escape codes as input.