What is RIP?
RIP – Raster Image Processor software
RIP stands for Raster Image processor and it is a crucial component of the printing industry. RIP is a hardware or hardware/software combination. This combination functions in reformatting the graphic source files to formats that can be printed. This is done by producing a bitmap which is a raster image of the target file. RIP makes use of image scaling algorithms to resize the input image which can be in form of a page description or bitmaps of a resolution different than the output device.
Implementation of RIP software:
It can either exist as a software module on a traditional computer used generally or it can exist as a firmware program within a printer. This program is executed on a microprocessor that remains inside the printer.
The RIP software is responsible for converting computer vector files to a bitmap or a raster image by translating them. The raster image is composed of a dot matrix that can be understood by the printer and can be printed. It is comparable to the concept of pixels on the computer screen. Several types of content are processed by the RIP software for a particular print environment. This software then coordinates with the printer and provides it with the processed data for final input.
The benefits of RIP software:
The RIP software allows one to handle multiple types of files and aids faster printing owing to its property to efficiently process giant files. Moreover, multiple jobs can be queued and nested thus allowing the user not only to line up the print jobs but also to process different files while printing. The user can also prepare other jobs for the future. The printing data is sent by the RIP only after the proper completion of processing of files thus efficiently minimizing the issue of output lags. Furthermore, the RIP software also allows the user to perform different functions like scaling up or down the image, rotating it, correcting the colors, and embedding a color profile.
The color reproduction is highly improved by the RIP software. This is so because a majority of the Raster Image Processors aid color management as they are matched with many printers’ preconfigured International Color Consortium profiles on various substrates. The color gamut of printer inks is maximized by this color management which always ensures the generation of proper colors. Moreover, another extremely useful feature is the tiling up of jobs so that reams of media are not lost by printing a similar job multiple times. The target can easily be tiled up to fit into particular widths along with adding bleed and crop marks that validate the right size. RIP software can increase the resolution of the file and thus is useful for enlarging the image for printing and also it ensures that no detail is lost. Furthermore, one RIP can be used to run several computers which enable the user to simultaneously send different tasks to different printers. Every printer can also be calibrated through the RIP which guarantees the consistency of colors throughout the printers.
The RIP is deemed to be a crucial component in the process of printing since it not only deals with the color and resolution of the output that is being printed but it also plays a significant role in determining the overall output quality. It also ensures the correct reproduction of colors and minimizes waste.
Applications:
There exists a myriad of tools and processes within the Raster Image Processor software and it can be used for several purposes in industrial printing. Managing and setting up the large format printers is a hectic task as they are physically so giant that their installation is very complicated and troublesome. Even experts take hours of focus and work to ensure the proper functioning and operating of such large format printers. These printers produce the image of your work by applying ink dots and the RIP software directs the print-heads of the printer about printing different colors and controls their intensity as well.
Raster Image Processor software can be used in a wide range of areas for producing quality printing results. It is applicable in the process of poster making, creating images, signs, and banners at the individual as well as company level. These processes are made much easier because of the RIP software as this software gives amazing results by printing the exact replicas of the input. RIP software aid in making accurate and less laborious production of large artistic products. Moreover, RIP can create any product type coming out of the large format printer including textile, paper, and even vinyl material when it is paired with a compatible tool for cutting. RIP software is installed on industrial printers for ensuring quality results. Industrial printing makes use of RIP software and several business types take benefit from RIP software. Examples include digital marketing services, Apparel printing, home decorators, In-house printing, and advertising firms.
RIP software is significantly used as a sign shop software. Sign shop software is required in businesses that are based on making signs for the customers. Despite the current Digital marketing era, sign making is a prominent area of industrial printing. For this purpose, efficient software is required for every step of making the sign, may it be designing cutting, or printing. The printing part is especially significant as the right resolution is the key to achieve quality results in the final output. The industrial printers employed in this area mostly are dependent on RIP software for printing.
Another remarkable prevalence of the RIP software is observed in the textile industry as textiles have been used over centuries for clothing, shoes, bags, baskets, home décor, drapes, furniture covering, and many other numerous purposes. Furthermore, textiles make quite a lot of use in interior designing. All these uses require textile printing as patterns and designs are added to beautify the products and to make them appealing. For all these purposes, RIP software is used owing to its high-resolution properties. In short, there are unfathomable uses of RIP software in industrial printing and all thanks to the extraordinary printing results offered by such software!
