Digital BW, The Print

I agree that you don't need a RIP with a 3800, or indeed with most recent
generation printers.  I find that the main benefit of a full featured RIP
today is that they allow for relinearisation with changes in ink/paper
batches providing the best possible print consistency from batch to batch in
a production environment.  I think that the big benefits that RIP's
historically offered in print quality have now been all but eroded with the
improvements in the OEM printer drivers and indeed ink formulations.  I must
admit I still like to use ColorBurst though, even for one-off prints!

David Whistance

  -----Original Message-----
  From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Louis Dina
  Sent: 05 August 2008 03:09
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
  Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Should I get a RIP?


  --- 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



  


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