| A raster image processor (RIP) is a component | | | | edit them a bit to serve our needs. These files |
| used in a printing system which produces a raster | | | | should be bitmaps - probably .EPS files for use in |
| image also known as a bitmap the most common | | | | other programs. |
| of which is TIFF (.tif), BMP (.bmp), PICT (.pct), GIF | | | | - We will also use some fonts, which are basically |
| (.gif), JPEG (.jpg). There are others as well typically | | | | vector files. |
| Photoshop's native PSD format that supports | | | | - The logos, illustration files and the text files are |
| bitmaps, text and vector layers. | | | | going to be small vector files and they will scale |
| The bitmap is then sent to a printing device for | | | | infinitely to allow us to print a billboard size and the |
| output. The input may be a page description in a | | | | edges will remain razor sharp. |
| high-level page description language such as | | | | Once we have these files collected, we need a |
| PostScript, Portable Document Format, XPS or | | | | program that can work with both bitmaps and |
| another bitmap of higher or lower resolution than | | | | vector graphics. Photoshop, by far the most |
| the output device. In the latter case, the RIP | | | | popular page layout tool, is adept at handling both |
| applies either smoothing or interpolation algorithms | | | | bitmap and vector graphics. Regardless of the |
| to the input bitmap to generate the output | | | | program, the vector and bitmap elements get |
| bitmap. | | | | integrated into one work, possibly a Photoshop |
| Raster image processing is the process and the | | | | PSD file or Portable Document Format. |
| means of turning vector digital information such as | | | | Every PostScript printer contains a RIP in its |
| a PostScript file into a high-resolution raster image. | | | | firmware. |
| Every image that exists in a digital electronic | | | | Large design offices and print service providers |
| format is made of picture elements. At some | | | | often use an independent RIP that can cost many |
| point, all such digital image data, whether | | | | thousands of pounds. In some cases these RIP |
| expressed as vector format data or bitmap | | | | solutions perform additional functions alone or in |
| format data, must be rendered into pixels for | | | | conjunction with dedicated software including |
| display on a monitor or for printing on a printer. All | | | | queuing print jobs, batch processing, imposition, |
| images, therefore, have pixels as their base. | | | | trapping, colour separations, and halftone |
| Rendering, or translating the digital data into | | | | screening. The RIP software may include additional |
| physical output, is the most important part of | | | | pre-flight functions such as checking for missing |
| realising such images. The term raster image | | | | fonts or graphics prior to processing. |
| processing (RIP) refers to the process of | | | | The 12-ink HP Designjet Z3200 24 inch Photo |
| translating digital image data into physical visual | | | | Printer Q6718A is the most recent wide format |
| images and graphics. The software RIP | | | | printer from Hewlett-Packard and comes with |
| interpretes the page description languages and | | | | new HP 73 Chromatic Red ink, delivering long |
| digital image data and translates the | | | | lasting gallery quality prints in black and white and |
| representation into a continuous tone bitmap. It | | | | colour. HP DreamColor Technologies with |
| then applies frequency and amplitude modulation | | | | embedded spectrophotometer enable easy |
| precisely controlled by sophisticated mathematical | | | | calibration and profiling. |
| algorithms producing the information that is | | | | HP Vivera 12-ink system, with new chromatic red, |
| required for the output device to function | | | | enables a broad gamut. HP Quad-Black Ink set |
| properly. | | | | delivers stunning black-and-white results whilst the |
| When we want to print an advertising poster the | | | | HP Gloss Enhancer minimises bronzing. |
| best results are achieved incorporating both | | | | Achieve accurate, consistent colours with |
| vector and bitmap graphics. A combination of | | | | easy-to-use HP DreamColor Technologies. The |
| - Photographs - lots of colours, fixed/finite size | | | | enhanced HP Color Center and embedded |
| from a digital camera. These files will be bitmaps, | | | | spectrophotometer simplify profiling and calibration |
| probably .tif or .jpg files and large size to achieve | | | | tasks. Create, import and export paper presets |
| the required resolution. Photos just can't be easily | | | | with great ease. |
| represented as a vector graphic. | | | | Increase your operational efficiency. This printer's |
| - Company logo and some simple illustrations that | | | | Original HP ink and printhead technology enables |
| will be small-sized files that will print smoothly at | | | | proactive and preventive maintenance that keeps |
| any resolution. The files use simple, | | | | you up and running. It's also economical, using |
| non-photorealistic colours, and we may want to | | | | minimal ink during routine maintenance. |