Specifications

The Digital Fine Print Course
Printing a Fine Print
Understanding RIPs
RIPS (Raster Image Processors), like printer drivers, are used to communicate with a
printer. However RIPs tend to do this with more sophistication and control than printer
drivers. For example RIPs can send CMYK and/or Hexachrome and/or vector/postscript
data to the printer, facilitate networked printing from multiple workstations, spool and
queue images for later printing or priority printing (for urgent jobs), support for spot
colours (Pantone libraries), and in general provide sophisticated control over many print-
er functions that aren’t usually available via a printer driver.
RIPs are distinguished by being either ‘Black Box’ RIPs where the printer controls are
preset by the RIP manufacturer and can’t be adjusted by the user, or Traditional RIPs
where the user is able to critically adjust all the printer functions.
RIPs are also distinguished as either Proofing RIPs designed to emulate on a local print-
er the output of a remote printer such as a printing press, and Fine Art RIPs and/or
Signage RIPs that produce the final output on the local printer they are controlling. For
example a large format Epson printer in an artist’s studio.
These distinguishing characteristics are not mutually exclusive, but in general indicate
the bias of the RIP. Most RIPs are Traditional Proofing RIPs running under Windows that
service the pre press, publishing, and design industries. Fewer RIPs are designated for
Fine Art, though some manufacturers like ErgoSoft (www.ergosoftus.com) produce differ-
ent versions of their RIP adapted for different users. StudioPrint, for example, is their
famous Traditional Fine Art RIP, while PosterPrint is tailored to the needs of pre press and
graphic design, and TexPrint serves textile designers and producers. These RIPs require
CMYK printer profiles (which are complicated to build), and precise control of ink limits
(the amount of ink that the paper can absorb) that requires specialist knowledge, skills,
and additonal equipment such as a spectrophotometer for linearization (for msooth gra-
dients and grey balance).
Black Box RIPs usually offer more sophisticated and higher quality output options than
printer drivers, but like printer drivers, do not allow the user to customise these func-
tions. ImagePrint RIP (www.colorbytesoftware.com) is a famous fine art ‘Black Box’ RIP
that produces exceptional print quality without the user having to do any calibration or
profiling. In this sense Image Print is as simple to use as a printer driver but produces
higher quality output and greater efficiently, and requires no specialist knowledge.
Copyright Les Walkling 2012
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