Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "SteveZ"
<blizzie12@...> wrote:
>
> I was recently at an art show where a fellow photographer strongly 
> urged that I purchase either ImagePrint or Colorburst RIP to ensure 
> better printer output quality especially for color.
> 
> I mostly print monochrome images using the Epson 3800 stock drivers and 
> ABW mode, and I've been very happy with the results. But lately I've 
> been getting requests for color. 
> 
> Do I go ahead and take the plunge? 
> And which version - postscript or raster?
>

Steve,

You don't need a RIP for high quality color work.  I have used half a
dozen RIPs including Imageprint, ColorBurst, StudioPrint and others. 
RIPs are a LOT of work and in my experience, generally aren't worth
the effort.  I've done a lot of press work and my driver does a great
job of matching the proofs from all the high quality printers I have
used.  Drivers and profiles are getting better all the time.  My
recommendation is that you use the printer driver with custom profiles
for color work and save yourself a lot of money, time and effort. 
RIPs do, however, generally offer flexible layout options and some
production gains if you print a tremendous amount and need to utilize
your paper economically.  

Many of the newer printers do a great job even with B&W, but I think
RIPs (like QTR) still offer advantages, use of different inksets, etc.  

My thoughts, anyway.

Lou