 Colorbyte Image Print Rip |
 Shiraz Software RIP |
What is a Software Rip System?
The acronym RIP stands for Raster Image Processor. It is usually installed on your computer or printer server.
All printers need a driver that will manage how the files you send them from your computer are treated by the printer. Printer drivers generally work at a basic level and will deal with only very generic instructions from your computer. Printer drivers are supplied with the printer.
A Software RIP is used instead of the manufacturers printer driver and communicates directly with the printer and the can manage all the functions that the printer has.
However, in general software RIPs are not that cheap and can take some time to learn how to use well, so why do we need a software RIP and instead of the manufacturers printer driver software?
The answer comes in seven parts:
1. With a Software RIP there is no need to specify the ICC Profile and printer driver settings with each individual file or photo, (which you need to do with printing direct from Photoshop, for example). With a Software RIP like Shiraz or Colorbyte you just set it up once and as long you do not change paper, you do not need to touch these settings.
2. A good Software RIP, like Colorbyte, is able to resize images on the fly, without having to change the files in Photoshop, saving enormous amounts of time.
3. A Software RIP will provide more accurate colour rendering.
4. Batch processing of images is very easy with a Software RIP like Shiraz.
5. Automatic layout of your images on the paper (called Nesting) can be done maximising your use of paper and saving you money.
6. With a good RIP you can print both RGB and CMYK images.
7. For Proof printing it is possible to set up your workflow to simulate other printing devices, ensuring accurate results from the final artwork and saving you time and money.
After having tested around 10 RIPs available on the market, we decided to sell Colorbyte's Image Print RIP and AIT's Shiraz: Two completely different pieces of software. Our advice as to which software RIP to choose will be largely based on your needs and the type of work you need to print. In short: Shiraz is definitely an extremely accurate proofing RIP, whilst Colorbyte is, in our view, a RIP designed for the photographer. We agree that these packages do not come cheap, but if you would like to save time (and ultimately time is money, if not more precious!), get a more even sheen on Gloss and Semi Gloss papers, Black & White prints with hardly any metamerism and also make totally accurate proofs, you might consider buying one of these RIPs.
Before you choose though, ask yourself what is important and how you work:
When asked about choosing the right software RIP I always have to say, well what do you want to use it for? To make a proper decision and choose the Rip that best fits your needs, ask yourself what features and tasks do you value most. If the following features are important to you:
Colour matching
Colour proofing
Printing PDF and EPS
Printing RGB and CMK files
Hot folders
Very sophisticated layout features, possible to save settings into templates for any type of paper
Maybe the Shiraz RIP is the one you should choose?
On the other hand, if the folllowing features and capabilities are important:
Good colour reproduction and very good shadow detail
Even sheen on Gloss and Semi Gloss
Being able to use both Photo Black and Matt Black simultaneously, no need to change ink!
Black & White
Very user-friendly
Printing on sheet media with a printer like the Epson 4800
Spooling Speed
Then maybe Colorbyte's Image Print RIP is the one you might choose
