RIP and color proofing

What is a R.I.P ?

All digital workflows require some form of color proofing. Inkjet technology has increasingly become a viable option for color proofing, and RIP technology is making waves for its promise to enhance proofing quality and workflow optimization. But RIPs make for a dry and difficult subject, and it takes special skill and commitment to implement a RIP in a workflow. There’s conflicting information about the technology, and many RIPs to choose from.

RIP as print server

What is a RIP?
RIPs come in different flavors. At the most basic level, a RIP functions as a PostScript interpreter. When artwork containing bitmapped and vector data are sent for printing, the RIP intercepts this page, and rasterizes or interprets all the disparate data and elements correctly for the printer to output.

RIPs have other specialized functions and features. An expanded RIP can drive a printer independently or utilize a print driver.

Then there are the bells and whistles. RIPs provide many functions that relate to workflow enhancement.

Color Management

* Support for ICC color profiles: Many RIPs support ICC profiles and act as a command center for color-managed output, utilizing the same ICC standards common in the industry. RIPs can treat inkjet printers with 4 or more inks, as a CMYK device. Furthermore, the ICC profiles created for a CMYK printer can be utilized for soft proofing in Photoshop, ensuring consistency in the workflow.

* Support for device links: RIPs can provide support for a device link, which is a specialized ICC profile that concatenates two distinct output profiles for unique reproduction needs.

* Support for closed loop proofing and printing: A RIP can also serve in a more traditional proofing and printing workflow which utilizes internal transform curves to match output across devices.

Workflow tools
A RIP can enable many workflow functions that are simply unavailable in imaging, illustration and layout applications. These include automation features such as hot folder queues, manual and auto nesting of images, tiling, rotation, cropping and other built-in color correction features.

RIP as print server
A RIP can be set up to offload print processing from the main computer to another one dedicated for use as a print server. RIPS come with an unexpected bonus—as a RIP broadcasts itself over the network, older printers inherently lacking network connectivity can be conveniently used as networked printers!

You may not need a RIP if…
Every digital proof and print workflow does not require a RIP. You may not need a RIP in these situations:

* You’re a single user printing from an Adobe application. This is because all Adobe applications correctly rasterize artwork for the printer.

* Often photographers do not need a RIP. For their main body of work, they use Adobe Photoshop, and perhaps Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator for their layout and illustration needs. This takes care of rasterizing all objects successfully for the printer.

However, RIP technology will benefit any creative business when more control is sought over image reproduction, proofing or final output simulation. RIP software can provide more user control over the printed image with several quality control functions that enable printer linearization and ink limiting. Since in–RIP color separations are custom-crafted for a particular printer, they’re superior to similar output from Photoshop.

Recommendations to get the best results from a RIP:

* Linearize the printer and set ink limits: Linearization is a calibration function performed by the RIP software, to distribute printed tones more evenly. This ensures correct distribution of ink during printing, and creates a larger apparent color gamut. Ink limiting adjusts the amount of ink laid down in high inking areas such as shadows and dark colors. These invaluable functions enable a printer to produce consistent and repeatable output.

* Create custom ICC profiles for your select papers: Although most RIPs provide good out-of-the-box profiles for popular papers, it’s best to characterize your select papers carefully because the special properties of each paper stock affect how ink interacts with the paper.


Special RIP categories

RIPs address many specialized printing needs. Certain RIPs are optimized for these niche markets:
* Fine Art RIPs: These RIPs focus on delivering optimum color for the output device.
* Spot color and Hexachrome output: Some RIPs offer better support for CMYK + Pantone, Hexachrome and spot colors.
* CMYK contract proofing: These RIPs specialize in producing color proofs that match another device, typically matching inkjet proofs to press output. They’re a popular option for photographers.
* Productivity: Some RIPs are designed to streamline digital workflows with features such as automation, job queues and special print layout options.
* Color management and productivity: These RIPs implement robust support of ICC color standards as well as the productivity features listed above.