RIP is a component used in wide
format printing system to produce raster image (bitmap)
which is sent to the printer. The RIP applies either
smoothing or interpolation algorithms to the input bitmap to
generate the output bitmap.
Raster
image processing is the process and the means of turning
vector digital information such as a PostScript file into a
high-resolution raster image.
RIPs can
handle many file types. They can also handle very large
files sizes. They can hold your print job so that you can
re-print them. They can also let you continue to work while
the job is printing.
Regular printers have a driver that handles the print job
that is sent to it from the computer. RIP handles
large format print jobs.
In order to use wide format printing you need a RIP.
Most printers are normally sold with a RIP from the
manufacturer. However, you can also buy a RIP if one
is not available from the source you bought the printer
from.
Below are some of the sources where you can obtain RIP
software.
