By s9dabier on
Dec. 04, 2009
Forums:
Currently we outsource our separations and films for simulated and four color process. Due to the lack of customer service from our current supplier and the need to save money, we have decided to separate and produce the films in house. My questions is what RIP software do you recommend? We have two automatics (10 color & 8 color) and run either a simulated process or four color process at least once a week.
What does everyone like the best quikseps, fastfilms, accurip, multirip, wasatch, etc. There are so many it is hard to determine where to start.
Thanks in advance...
Mark
Location:
United States
Re: RIP Software
You might start off with a simple and free program called Ghostscript, & Ghostview. These are Open Source "virtual" print drivers that emulate the RIP process and can produce some fairly high quality seps with some time and adjustments.
The reason you might try this first is to evaluate the "process" so you have some idea as to what your actual needs are based on at least some experience with a RIP program. Many printers actually find that its enough for their needs.
I use the same base code for PDF creation on my server and will soon even use it to make PDF invoices directly from my new websites shopping cart system. Its a very flexible code system and can (programming required) do some seriously cool stuff. I have even seen a version that converts TIFF files to vectors in real time while being uploaded to a server based file system. Give it a try, its free so no cost to give a chance.
http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/
Re: RIP Software
i use fast rip and have never had a problem with it. I'm sure you can find it cheap now to.
Re: RIP Software
we use accurip and love it.....easy to change settings..super clean dots...etc..
Re: RIP Software
I agree. Accurip is easy to use and works great. It's also very affordable. Plus you can try it for free.
Re: RIP Software
They all do a job of sorts.
I like Wasatch, I've been supporting it for many years. I can do it without being in front of a PC.
What printer are you running, will it handle four colour registration, get an Epson roll-fed printer if you can afford it.
It isn't rocket science but you have a learning curve to climb.
Dave UK imagesetters and Wasatch RIP