[DeathMan]

I was just wondering when you need a rip? I've done very little print work, but I've had a class where we talked about RIPs (Raster Image Processor, right?)

So it it mostly when you need to print something really large? I know you don't need it for printing vector, but say you have a 300 dpi photo, that you want to put on a full spread ad at normal magazine size. You need a rip to print that?

I just don't really understand what roll the RIP actually plays, and when you need it.

[godzookie2k]

It really depends what you are printing *to*.

I mean, I could set up my epson here next to me to print out a 13 x 44" banner on hi gloss photo paper with a full bleed(ish) 300 dpi picture for the whole thing...if I wanted to...without a RIP. The RIP basically takes the load off of the computer for processing the print request for the printer (faster than the computer itself since processing prints is all its doing). (essentially) You need one if you are doing alot of high level printing that would normally clog your computer. You don't need one if you are printing word documents because there isn't a heavy load. But if you are printing 24 x 36" posters you'd need one unless you wanted your computer non-functional for a while.

More or less... Mike or AD might be able to give you a better picture, I aint so hot with the whole printer-hardware thang.

[Huring]

Exactly as godzookie2k says, the RIP takes the heavy interpreting away from your system and processes the file. And sometimes, for instance when printing film or CTP (computer to plate) systems, the printers or platesetters themselves use software that RIP's the PDF or whatever file you send to them and outputs them on the printer. These files can sometimes be huge (1 hi-res tiff for a cover = 30Mb+) so you wouldn't want your computer trying to process a 24pg magazine, you'd have to go home for the day!

/me wishes we didn't have a rip at work....

[godzookie2k]

heheh I'm so happy we don't have a rip at work...

[Huring]

You should be man!

[DeathMan]

So basically its an industrial strenght print server?

I've heard of different RIP software packages that do amazing things with upsampling images. I always thought, if the data isn't there, its not there, but I've heard of miricles done far beyond what photoshop can manage. Do you know much about this?