How to choose the right RIP for a print production environment

In the production printing environment, choosing the right RIP is the key to quality output. Printed company management staff discussions Internal managers should carefully consider when purchasing RIP, including differences between functionality and various RIP structures. Using the wrong RIP can make the digital printing device not match the production of a specific application.

Most printing equipment will have RIP or RIP directly, so buyers have no choice. However, some of the more advanced printing technologies - including color copiers / printers, large format printers, and digital color printers - support a large number of different RIPs, use these devices for quality output, and business managers carefully select RIP, which supports their Needs and application types.

What is RIP?

Simply put, RIP converts print data into rasterized images or dots so that inkjet printers or laser output devices can print on paper. The RIP is located at the end of the production workflow before the printing process, where it receives the print data in a descriptive language or vector image. For example, the Postscript page description language contains instructions for printing purposes and where to print on the page. According to the specified coordinates, RIP converts the Postscript command 'linedraw' into a linear dot on the page.

In addition, RIP for color printing equipment is responsible for accurate color reproduction. First, the RIP must translate the color of each element on the page. It then converts the color-related information into a color pattern and sends it to the printer for printing.

How to choose RIP?

The first and the first consideration is the structure of the RIP. For example, do you need a soft RIP or a combined software/hardware offering? Or do you need a network RIP?

The second thing to consider is the functionality of RIP. How fast do you need RIP images? What level of color management do you need? And, of course, the cost is also a factor to be considered.

RIP structure

The combined hardware/software RIP is provided as an entire software package that includes a computer (usually proprietary) and RIP software. In a given software package, software and hardware are optimized to deliver the best results and performance. Some hardware RIPs can be upgraded, but they need to be specifically composed, such as storage.

Software RIP is a simple software that is responsible for image conversion. PC, MAC, and Unix workstations are available. Software RIP allows users to choose their own computer system. The advantage of software RIP is that users can upgrade computers through standard components or purchase new computers together. The disadvantage is that the hardware and software are not optimized at the same time. Therefore, the performance level is not equal to the proprietary system.

Network RIP - Some hardware RIPs provide a computer card that can be placed in a digital press, which reduces the amount of hardware that must purchase and store horizontal space. However, network RIP can only support one output device and they are difficult to upgrade.

Page description language support - Although Postscript is the most extensive page description language in a production environment, you can use application software to generate other file types, such as PDF, TIFF or other proprietary formats, to ensure that the selected RIP can support the application software needs All file types.

Printing press support - Although, specific companies require specialized RIPs, companies and printing companies for payment should look for RIPs that can support multiple printers. Such RIPs are ideally suited for complex environments - such as those using color copiers and large A combination of web presses. In addition, by using a RIP to support multiple printers, the cost of RIP will be dispersed to multiple needs.

RIP function

Speed ​​is the key to companies and fast printing companies. Although the overall speed of the RIP depends on the computer hardware and software, some factors - such as the use of color and resolution - also affect the speed of processing an independent job. Evaluate the speed of a RIP, use examples that represent typical and complex applications, and track the entire process. How long does it take to print a RIP file? How long does it take to print multiple copies? and many more.

Color Conversion - The image produced by the scanner is displayed on the computer monitor in the RGB color space and then printed out on the CMYK page. At some point in the production process, these images must be converted from RGB to CMYK format. If the workflow requires RIP to do such a conversion and check its functionality, RIP must provide a user interface for precise colors. This interface allows specialized operations to adjust the color conversion process based on image type and expected output.

The color management system allows different types of equipment to be characterized or corrected so that the printed color is as close as possible to the desired color. To support color management, RIP should accept industry-standard description files and color compensation libraries. The RIP should also allow the user to adjust the tone curve for each color, and ideally, allow the curve to be adjusted after the file RIP, which allows the user to control the final output without returning to the production process.

Storage performance - Because RIP is the last step before printing, and because the imaging process is very time consuming, the ability to save a RIP file is very important. If the printer is stuck or the document must be reprinted, reprinting the RIP file is the fastest method. RIP must have a large hard disk to store RIP files and an interface that allows users to quickly select and reprint RIP files.

Calculations and Reports - In local and wide-area networks, color devices are storable for a large number of users, and RIP acts as a control point. It can record every file received and keep track of the number of accessories and page generation. Stronger computing features allow network administrators or printing company managers to respond based on department or value center usage and respond accordingly.

cost

A RIP can cost 50-100% of the total cost of a digital printing industry because it determines the scope of application and a good RIP is worth investing.

Keep in mind that now RIP technology is updated every 9 to 12 months, so the best bet is to plan ahead. In terms of experience, buying a RIP is not only to meet the needs of the current function, but also to meet at least the needs of the next nine months. Or, if you can procrastinate, you will find that a product falls at the right-right time of the year and it is more able to meet the needs.

A noteworthy trend

Currently, there are more RIP manufacturers than hardware RIP. One of the main reasons behind this is that software RIP can take advantage of changes in the computer market - such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Apple Computer - faster than hardware RIP, that is when you What should be considered when choosing a RIP that fits your environment.

Source: Greater China Graphic Arts Network