Let
'er RIP
What you
need to know about raster image processing
In desktop publishing, RIP — raster image processing
[verb] or raster image processor [noun] — is the process
and the means of turning vector digital information such as a
PostScript file into a high-resolution raster image. That is,
the RIP takes the digital information about fonts and graphics
that describes the appearance of your file and translates it into
an image composed of individual dots that the imaging device (such
as your desktop printer or an imagesetter) can output.
Think of the RIP as a translator between you
and your printer. You give it instructions in the language of
your desktop publishing application and the RIP translates your
instructions into the language of the printer. If your language
is too complicated for the translator or it misunderstands your
instructions the file doesn't rip.
You may not have a RIP, instead relying on
the printer driver to communicate between your application and
your desktop printer.
In some cases,
this works fine. But in keeping with our language translator analogy,
it's like using gestures and facial expressions to convey complex
ideas — not very efficient and some thoughts are misunderstood.
The RIP offers additional features and functions not found in
your standard printer driver.
Who
has the RIP?
The RIP comes in firmware, hardware, or software versions. Firmware
RIP is built-in to the device, such as the PostScript RIP built-in
to many desktop printers. The hardware RIP is a dedicated piece
of hardware configured to process digital files. It often comes
with specific types of devices, such as an imagesetter. The
software RIP is an independent program that can work with many
types of devices.
For basic desktop printing, your main concern is in having a
PostScript capable printer if printing EPS graphics and the
complex documents common in desktop publishing. Many laser printers
come with PostScript Level 3 RIP. With inkjet printers, you
purchase a separate software RIP solution to get PostScript
unless you're using the more expensive high-end inkjet or dye-sub
proofers that come with PostScript RIP software or hardware.
Large design
offices and print service providers use a fancy RIP. In some
cases these RIP solutions perform additional functions alone
or in conjunction with dedicated software including queuing
print jobs, batch processing, imposition, trapping, color separations,
and halftone screening. The RIP software may include additional
preflight functions such as checking for missing fonts or graphics
prior to RIPping.
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