Every digital output device needs a computer to convert graphical data into actionable hardware commands. Anything from desktop inkjets to high-speed transactional laser printers can be driven by an unsophisticated “controller” that provides unrefined imaging quality, but for printing companies requiring realistic imagery, accurate color and razor-sharp details, there is no substitute for a high-powered raster image processor (RIP).

Despite their crucial role in prepress production, RIPs often are selected without extensive scrutiny. Many print houses simply accept whatever digital front end (DFE) is bundled in, but discerning buyers will choose a RIP that is not tied to a specific piece of hardware.

Some stand-alone RIPs are specialized tools for a specific category of output devices, such as EFI's respected Fiery DFE or the legendary Spire from Creo Color Servers; both systems are offered with nearly every high-speed electrostatic printer. Until recently, the Colorbus RIP was a popular alternative to EFI and Creo, but current owner SA International has repositioned it for inkjet proofing.

Today, those who seek a hardware-free RIP to drive their high-resolution imagesetter, platesetter or proofing system have only a handful of options. In nearly every case, these applications leverage either the Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) or Global Graphics Harlequin and JAWS technologies.

With a graphic arts history that goes back more than two decades, the Harlequin RIP is both a well-known brand as well as the underlying code beneath many other raster image processors. Based on the ScriptWorks PostScript interpreter (an alternative to Adobe's Configurable PostScript Interpreter), Harlequin RIPs were among the first to offer an intuitive interface for both job management and printer queue configuration.

The latest edition, Harlequin PLUS Server RIP v8.0, provides robust JDF connectivity and the ability to output CIP4 Print Production Format data to preset ink fountains.

In addition to its PostScript rendering capabilities, Global Graphics has made PDF compatibility a top priority. Its JAWS PDF interpretation is an add-on option for Harlequin users, but is also widely used as an embedded interpreter within other applications. In 2003, QuarkXPress 6 added JAWS to enable direct PDF export; this collaboration has continued in every subsequent XPress versions.

Extending its ability to interpret PDF to include PostScript, XPS (Microsoft's XML Print Specification) and proprietary Printer Control Languages is the objective for Global Graphics' new eDocument Library. This technology will provide the underlying interpretation engine for future RIP applications and serve as the eventual replacement for JAWS, allowing OEM vendors to utilize one core software application for page description language import and export functions.

“You can view the eDocument library as the core of our next generation of JAWS PDF technology,” notes Martin Bailey, chief technology officer at Global Graphics. “It's not limited to just PDF; it's applicable to a huge range of uses, both print-related and in the wider document market.”

Quark recently announced a multiyear agreement with Global Graphics that will include the incorporation of eDocument Library into future versions of its flagship page layout program. “We have some significant customers for the core technology, and also plan to release a number of turnkey, end-user products built around that,” says Bailey.

Xitron offers two categories of stand-alone RIPs, one based on Harlequin and another built on Adobe's PDF Print Engine. Xitron's Navigator GPS is a PostScript 3 RIP built on the latest Harlequin interpreter and offers advanced features including JDF-driven imposition plus the ability to perform load balancing for multiple output devices. “Harlequin products are a huge portion of our business,” says Eric Nelson, Xitron product director.

For customers who seek a fully automated workflow solution, Xitron provides the Xenith Sierra RIP based on the latest version of APPE. Graph Expo will see the introduction of Xenith Sierra version 1.5, an Adobe-based workflow that includes tools for PDF editing, proofing and imposition as well as an integrated 3D viewer that can export a 3D Java file. “It's the most automated workflow we've ever had,” observes Nelson.

Both are compatible with Xitron's new PRinternet system for web-based job submission and online proofing, to be released in Chicago.

Xanté is widely known for its innovative output devices, but the Symphony Workflow RIP can be purchased independently of such hardware. “More than half of our Symphony software sales are to drive non-Xanté devices,” explains Arthur Verwey, VP worldwide OEM sales for Xanté. “One Symphony workflow can drive inkjets, laser printers, DI presses and large format CTP devices.”

On the market for seven years, the latest version (3.0) of Symphony was released at drupa and will be making its North American debut at Graph Expo. “At drupa, we were the only vendor that showed version 2 of the PDF Print Engine as an official Adobe partner,” Verwey notes.

CONTACT the author at hal@halhinderliter.com.