Digital BW, The Print

Hello, this is my first post. 

I have a new 7600 and want to print tiled photo images and generally 
arrange my images as I wish on a page. I am new to all this, so am I 
being simplistic in thinking that I can export Photoshop images into 
Illustrator and print from there?
If not and I need a RIP, is there something more affordable than 
ImagePrint? I have been on Ergosofts site and looked at PosterPrint 
but could not see any pricing. I have also seen Qimage. Any 
affordable thoughts would be appreciated.

(I will make another post on a related matter)

David