Hi James

Thanks for the reply. I would be interested in seeing what it can do. I'll drop by the shop sometime.

Thanks again

Bob

Hi Bob
This Colorburst RIP software is very good, the lite version still gives you control for basics in printing and getting accurate colour.

The full version of this software offers postscript language (postscript contains programming to draw the image and contains comments that describe the requirements and some of the structure of the file), it also supports other file formats like CMYYK, RGB, Lab, 16-bit, and colour-mapped TIFF files.  This software will also help to control the black flow without limiting the black channel in relation to the total ink limit.  Which means you get a good black with Epson's Photo Black cartridge even on Matte and Fine Art papers.  You can even create your own colour profile and have total control over your ink limits. 

With RIP software you can also print directly for different layout applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator and In-design, and if you are working from a multiple of computers set up as a network printer.  You can set up separate ICC profiles and set up an option to use embedded profiles with can be manually turned on and off, which is a must if you are embedding probiles in Photoshop.

In a nutshell with RIP software you can really fine tune your printing, even with a varried selections of paper, I know this is a long answer but there is so many features and options available when using RIP software.  We use this type of software in our lab with our Canon wide roll printer, and I would be happy to show you all the features sometime if you want to drop by the shop.  

And thanks for the suggestion, this would make a great lesson in the printing section, I will work on something showing the different software options for home printing, or for the digital darkroom as I like to call it.  James - Stan C. Reade Photo 

I am in the process of considering a new printer for printing my digital images. Currently I am using the Epson 2200 and quite like it as a printer but it doesn't do black and white very well so hence the thoughts of upgrading. I am considering the Epson 3800 partly due to the wider format ie 17" vs 13" as well as the larger ink cartridges. The option is to go with the standard printer or the professional printer the difference being that the professional printer includes the colorburst RIP software (albeit the light edition) which I believe gives me better control over the print profiling and ultimately the color accuracy. I do calibrate all my monitors and have been using ICC profiles from the various manufacturers for the printer paper I am using.

Now for my question. Is the Colorburst RIP software something that will help me in my home printing as far as color accuracy or is this something that a professional lab would use rather than a home user? I realize that one option is to get custom profiles for the various papers that I am printing from using profiling firms like Cathy's profiles. Maybe a little lesson on what RIP software really does may be helpful.

Thanks

Bob