PostScript RIP, convenient lists and complete links for most software PostScript RIP solutions.

Hardware RIP versus software Postscript RIP? If you prefer a software PostScript RIP solution, here are links for 3M, Amiable Technologies (Scanvec-Amiable), BEST, Harlequin, Image Technologies Developments, Onyx Graphics PosterShop, PosterJet from DCS Software, Posterworks, ProofMaster from Perfect Proof, ScanVec, SeeColor, Visual Edge Technology, Wasatch, and YARC software RIP. What I prefer about hardware RIP is that your computer is free to use while the RIP server handles the wide-format printer (Mac is definitely not multi-tasking). But most large repro shops and service bureaus have dedicated computers for their wide format printers so will not be using that computer for other concurrent tasks anyway. Software PostScript RIP solutions are more economical. What if you print day and night? Which is faster? Which is more cost effective? e-mail us if you would like to provide information from our own experience.

Some of these RIPs stand out. Onyx PosterShop is definitely an industry leader, indeed was selected by Ilford to power all Ilford printers (the Ilford version of the Encad and of the ColorSpan wide format printers). Image Technologies Development (not to be confused with Image Technologies Corp.) offers dual RIP capability for color copiers (Canon, Ricoh, Sharp, and Xerox, among others) as well as inkjets. BEST is a good selection if you need sophisticated color management (such as if you are using an Epson 3000 or Epson 5000 as a color proofer). PosterJet offers speed and support for all six inks of six-ink systems.

VividImage Technologies offers a "scan to wide format" RIP solution which we hope to review shortly. I got an impressive demo at the recent Seybold trade show. Contact Sergio Alves, salves@vividimage.com for more information.

Informative list of software PostScript RIP options

Below are primarily software RIP solutions; if you want "hardware" RIP, that is on a separate page devoted to hardware RIP. Increasingly "software" RIP products are bundled with a PC, and function as a print server, probably a dedicated printer server. In this case the solution could be considered as a hardware RIP. Thus you need to check both pages, "software RIP" here, and "hardware RIP" elsewhere in this web site. AHT ColofFlare is a good example. It could just as well be here on the software RIP page, but it works with a PC (though naturally can receive from a Mac, Unix, or whatever).

If you are an entirely Mac-oriented graphics shop or photo studio, don't get upset at the idea of using a Windows NT workstation as a RIP solution. This is considered the best way to handle RIPing nowadays. You still do all your digital imaging on your favorite Mac. But since Macs are not exactly multiprocessing (yet), it helps to have a PC take over the RIP chores so you can continue to use your Mac while the image is being RIPed and printed.

EFI sent us a Fiery Hardware RIP which meant we did not need any software RIP (until we saw the limitations of EFI Fiery). We quickly learned that almost any software RIP had more features than EFI hardware Fiery. Our first software RIP we tried eas, ILFOStar, Ilford Imaging's version of Onyx Graphics PosterShop. Then we found out about PosterJet. We saw this at DRUPA and Photokina tradeshows in Germany.

What does FLAAR itself use? We have BESTColor, PosterJet, Wasatch, ColorGate, and several other RIPs. PosterJet is the fastest we have seen anywhere. Plus Posterjet is very easy to use. Contact is Ken Stokes, Julie@scarabgraphics.com

This list of software RIPs is not intended to be complete, since new companies pop up every year. Others disappear or get swallowed up by other companies. We do not recommend using any cheap no-name RIP. The only hardware RIP that meets our standards is that by ColorSpan. We have a separate list of hardware PostScript RIP solutions, but it needs updating. This list of software RIPs is not intended to be complete, since new companies pop up every year. Others disappear or get swallowed up by other companies. We do not recommend using any cheap no-name RIP. FLAAR also offers additional reports on RIPs via e-mail. But you need to fill out the "provisional inquiry form"