RIP??

[Kanvas Keepsakes]

Hey guys.  Thought I'd post this in the beginners questions forum because I have no clue what this software is for.  Whats the advantage to using RIP software for my Canon ipf8300 (Mirage) instead of printing from Photoshop?  Is it worth the expense when I already have a work flow with Photoshop?  

Edit - On 2nd thought, I just installed the Mirage trial and it doesn't have my ipf8300 listed as a printer to use :/  Oh well . . .

[BernardLanguillier]

RIPs typically have excellent profiles available for a wide range of papers and have functions that help optimize printing productivity (paper usage,...). Some have their own algos to drive the printer head and colors dyes mixing for, hopefully, results superior to those of the native printer driver.

For what it's worth, I have personally decided to get back to Imageprint 9 for my Epson 9900.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Kanvas Keepsakes]

Bernard, you wouldn't happen to know if its compatible with Canon?  Or if you know of any RIP for Canon ipf8300?  Thanks

Edit - Disregard, Bernard.  Found Onyx ProductionHouse which is Canon compatible.  Gonna get the trial see what this RIP stuff is all about.  Thanks!

[BernardLanguillier]

Yep, Image Print only supports Epson printers.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Paul2660]

I would pick up a copy of Schewe's book "The a Digital Print", and also consider printing from LR.  much cheaper than a RIP.   RIPs have their place but at a cost.

Paul

[Kanvas Keepsakes]

Wow I downloaded a demo of Mirage Print RIP.  Pffft yeah right.  Way over my head for now.  Back to the basics.  Time to pick up "The Digital Print".  Thanks Paul

[digitaldog]

If you're not sure what a RIP is, you probably don't need one

Raster Image Processor which can mean any number of functions. Usually it means RIPping (posterizing) postscript or vector data to dots for output. You need that? Sometimes people use RIP to mean a substitute print driver (so your original driver is a RIP?). Page layout like step and repeat? Lightroom is a RIP too then. 

As I said, you probably don't need one but tell us what tasks and issues you have with printing, then we can tell you if you need another print driver, actual RIP or not.

[Ellis Vener]

if you are an OS X user Try LaserSoft PrinTao 8 http://www.silverfast.com/printer-software/en.html  . I was using it earlier this year on a Canon iPF6300 (now dead unfortunately). I have a very well calibrated and profiled Color management workflow for printing directly from Photoshop and Lightroom and when printing through PrinTao 8 both color and monotone prints had richer color and were both more lively and subtle.  I then reviewed it for Professional Photographer Magazine: http://www.ppmag.com/web-exclusives/2014/09/printao8-printing-software.html

[BobShaw]

The Epson drivers were always producing wrong size or wrong orientation prints.
Since I bought Mirage print all of my printing and colour problems have gone away.
I don't print from any application now, just a 16 bit TIF.

[HSakols]

Would the excellent profiles from a RIP eliminate the need to soft proof? I am finding that there is an art to making adjustments after soft proofing.

[digitaldog]

Would the excellent profiles from a RIP eliminate the need to soft proof?

Not at all.