🚀 go-pugleaf

Frame

Illustrator versions 9 and 10 both read a stripped version 7 EPS file without difficulty (quick as a greased pig, too). In fact, it will read files which have been stripped of the entire prologue and the code between %%BeginSetup/%%EndSetup (excluding the font re-encoding; Illustrator is looking for _TimesNewRomanPSMT, not TimesNewRomanPSMT). We end up with file sizes of under 10k, which is extremely streamlined in the case of templates. You probably don't want to strip the prologue, though, if you're wanting to print rather than open in Illustrator.

Saving without preview is good if you're not placing the EPS in a page layout application. You might try saving in PostScript Level 2 if you're not using level 3 blends; that will save some space. I use embedded fonts and CMYK output simply because our clients send finished pages to remote printers, but if you don't have to worry about 4-color separations and remote proofing fidelity, then you're fine. No thumbnails is good, too.

If you let me know how to get it to you, I can send you a couple of "stripped" files that I've been working with.