ImagesMagUK_February_2022

TIPS & TECHNIQUES www.images-magazine.com 34 images FEBRUARY 2022 Industry experts provide insight and guidance in all areas of digital garment and textile printing Digital helpdesk Michael Chramtchenko, director of marketing and sales at CadLink Technology Corporation, provider of design and production software solutions, discusses what to look for in a RIP to ensure you choose the right one for your business Michael Chramtchenko of CadLink software application is its ability to reproduce accurate, vibrant colour output consistently across a variety of printers, inks and substrates. Most RIP software packages address this fundamental requirement very well. It should include a professional colour management engine alongside a robust toolset that provides the ability to quickly and easily adjust colours as required. It should also include the ability to support the most widely used colour measurement devices in order for users to be able to create their own colour profiles and print modes based on their unique production requirements. Printer support Unlike generic Windows-based printer drivers, RIP software includes custom-developed drivers designed to maximise the performance of the printer they are written for. RIP software developers maintain relationships with most printer manufacturers in order to provide support for their printers. When looking to choose a print software package, make certain it includes support for A s more digital print applications and printers come to market, the selection of colour management software solutions also expands, which can make choosing one a daunting task. Generally, this software can be categorised into two primary groups: Windows-based printer drivers and RIP software applications. From a technical perspective, both groups are able to print effectively to a specific output device, but the similarities end there. A Windows-based printer driver is really just what the name implies: a pass- through application that takes the file information from a job on a particular workstation, applies basic colour management and sends that data to a specific printer for output. A RIP (raster image processor) software package provides much greater colour management control and, depending on which one you select, may include a variety of other valuable production workflow tools. An investment made in a RIP application that suits your particular requirements will provide an almost immediate return on investment. To evaluate which RIP is best for your business, start with a careful evaluation of your immediate and future requirements. Don’t look at near-term only, expect to achieve your growth objectives and select a software solution that will be able to meet them as your volumes and product offerings increase. Here are six primary criteria to consider when making your selection: Colour management The most important component of any RIP Evaluate your business needs now and in the future when selecting a RIP, advises Michael Chramtchenko