#Inexpensive printer rip software software#

The guy at the store never gets it, but will try and sell you what he believes you want and need. That means, extraordinary photographic reproductions, but still no halftone dots. I will almost guarantee that any RIP you do not buy from a screen print supply dealer will be a Color Management RIP. Problem is that all RIPs are not created the same. An added and important bonus is that most if not all RIPs will allow you more control over ink lay down and result in a more dense film positive.Īfter the salesman asks you why you or anyone would ever want to print solid black dots, he will go on to explain that he can sell you RIP software. Yes, there are methods in art programs to circumvent the process and print a halftone, but nearly everyone chooses to avoid this extra time and effort and print via a RIP specifically made for screen printers.

#Inexpensive printer rip software software#

RIP software will tell the printer to print solid black dots. When the printer sees a halftone dot, it will help you out by printing your dots as grey, because the printer assumes you are trying to make a shade of color. Inkjet printers are color printers, and always “think” you are printing in color. Without a Postscript file, you will not be able to print halftone dots. Why you ask? Because your inkjet printer is not a Postscript printer like a laser printer. The RIP, or Raster Image Processor, will convert your computer graphic into a Postscript file. Yet still, I regularly hear new printers or printers taking that next step to legitimacy wonder aloud “What the heck does a RIP do anyway?” Here’s the condensed explanation. But most printers today use inkjet printers along with some brand of RIP software to create their films. OK, some folks still use laser printers, or your rich uncle bought you an image setter, and some folks fake it with their inkjet printers and just find a way to make it work. If you’re a screen printer, and you make your own film positives, chances are you own RIP software.