Digital Output - May 2008 - (Page 32)

square meter no matter if it takes you ten minutes or 50 minutes to print,” he says. Multitasking describes Caldera Graphics’ RIP systems well. Explains Hanssens, “You can print and RIP while preparing, laying out, nesting, cutting, and color matching other jobs to be sent to printers.” Caldera manufactures CopyRIP for large format printers, more specifically aqueous printers, making it a “green button” solution, says Hanssens. VisualRIP+ is a software solution for large format print and print-to-cut workflow. GrandRip+ is dedicated to wide and extra wide format print and print-to-cut applications. A unique feature available “The large format printing industry is becoming more diverse. Buyers need to look for the RIP that best suits their specific needs. If you are producing photographic or giclée output you want to find a RIP with 16-bit color rendering for premium output. For UV flatbed printing, you want to have white ink support and template placement capabilities. More traditional signage shops want easy spot color matching and a simple workflow,” explains Jay Griffen, executive VP, Wasatch Computer Technology, LLC. Wasatch SoftRIP is known for its ease of use. Says Griffen, “SoftRIP makes it easy for novice users to complete their work in the RIP quickly, while still maintaining deeper level advanced tools for printing and color experts.” The flagship product can drive up to four printers simultaneously. Key tools include spot color replacement, database support, colormatching atlases, layout before RIP workflow, Smart Nesting with auto-rotation, and network based print management. Wasatch also offers exclusive editions of SoftRIP that bundle the RIP solution with specific large format print drivers. And, targeting niche markets, Wasatch offers SoftRIP SP for separations printing and SoftRIP TX for textile printers. VALLOY’s TOPAZ RIPs are designed for practical signage and graphics markets. VALLOY manufactures three different versions of the TOPAZ RIP. media costs? Am I able to easily tile large graphics that exceed the dimensions of the media? How well does the RIP support job management and scheduling within its queue system?” Caldera VisualRIP+ is a software solution for large format and print-to-cut workflow. on all three of Caldera’s RIPs is FLIPMAX, an integrated lenticular printing module. It creates 2D flips by interlacing images directly from within the RIP interface. Another issue to consider is how hard the interpret and ICC engines are working. “If the RIP is relying too much on these engines, you will see some restrictions in speed, color correction, and layout modification,” says Juan Kim, CEO, VALLOY Incorporation. VALLOY’s TOPAZ RIPs are designed to create less pressure on both the interpret and ICC engines, allowing a job to operate quickly with maximum flexibility. Created for the practical signage and graphics markets, VALLOY manufactures three different versions of the TOPAZ RIP. TOPAZ RIP Business edition comes with four active printers from a full driver list, the ability to RIP two projects at once, and a server module capable of controlling four printers simultaneously. The TOPAZ RIP Business Lite edition is compatible with one active printer and comes with a full printer driver list. Lastly, the TOPAZ RIP Design edition works with one active printer and a list of print drivers up to 44 inches in width. It can be purchased online or through distributors worldwide. Tempting Features CADlink’s Digital Factory is an all-inclusive RIP software that addresses an infinite number of wide format printing environments. CADlink offers three specialty modules specifically for Digital Factory. The contour cutting module provides a simple print and cut interface. It supports “Tiling, nesting, cropping, scaling, both hybrid print and cut auto-fit, smooth vignette output machines as well as a “print on quality,” says Peter Skarpetis, CEO, one device, cut on another” Serendipity Software Pty, are the workflow. Over 150 cutter main features all large format printdrivers are included. The speers should be looking for. cialty spot color module works Serendipity Software’s Megarip is with inkjet or thermal devices used primarily in the large format that support spot colors and poster and banner market and varnishes. The color-matching In addition to its Megarip software, includes a new dynamic touch screen module includes a built in ICC Serendipity offers Blackmagic version 3, which makes proofs from console with accurate soft-proofing. generator for creating custom RIPed files and offers different page The RIP’s built in Paper Profile techICC profiles. Also included is viewing options. nology allows the user to optimize the Pantone color match the way the ink reacts with different media coatlibraries for automated PMS colors. Additionally, ings. Also included are image once/render many to the visual production manager, managed by a sinmultiple printers and re-purposing features. The gle screen, represents all images processed and RIP can be purchased through Mid-States Graphics allows for either a fully automatic or manual operin Chicago, IL and ation. Digital Factory is available from dealers or SmartSuff Graphics bundled as private label OEM software with cerDistribution in St. tain printers. Louis, MO. An Array of RIPs Variety is the key ingredient to successful RIP implementation. Manufacturers we spoke with outlined a wide breadth of features available from their RIPs. However, that isn’t to say companies should purchase a solution that offers more then they need. Wasatch SoftRIP makes it easy for novice users to complete work in the RIP quickly, while maintaining higher-level tools for printing and color experts. Michael Chramtchenko, director of marketing, CADlink Technology Corporation, suggests asking the following questions prior to purchasing a RIP. He says, “When evaluating RIP software, an operator should consider existing requirements as well as potential requirements as they relate to output options. Questions that need addressing may include, is nesting supported in order to save on The above are just a handful of RIPs used in the large format space. Countless others are also interoperable, flexible, and provide an array of features. ColorByte Software’s Image Print Version 7 is one of the only RIPs specifically written to serve the needs of photographers and fine art printmaking. “ImagePrint Version 7 is a quality-driven product with exceptional workflow. Our users and potential users are looking for a turnkey software RIP solution that can produce the highest level of quality without the need to purchase other products in order to make it work,” says John Pannozzo, president, ColorByte. The RIP supports all types of popular papers, both for color and B&W, with its 16 bit compatible engine. www.digitaloutput.net 32 Digital Output May 2008 http://www.digitaloutput.net http://www.digitaloutput.net

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