InkRIP — file types, design inputs, common pitfalls
InkRIP-only. AM design-practices + Job Manager + hotfolder help. No OEM third-party RIP product names.
Raster vs vector (inputs)
| Vector | Raster | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Math paths (points + curves) | Pixels / dots |
| Best for | Logos, simple shapes, text, few colours | Photos, painted art, heavy shading |
| Common formats | AI, EPS, PDF, SVG | TIFF (preferred for print), PNG, JPEG, BMP |
| Scale | Scale freely then RIP | Quality depends on pixel density / DPI |
InkRIP RIPs designs (including vectors) into a raster print stream the printer understands.
Training: Raster vs vector.
TIFF tip (AM)
For print rasters, TIFF is commonly preferred — can hold alpha / transparency and richer colour info than casual JPEGs.
PDF tip
PDFs may mix raster + vector. Clients often deliver PDF — check size, colour mode, and embedded images after import.
Size, resolution, DPI
Blurry prints are often a design size / DPI problem, not “the RIP is broken.”
AM rules of thumb (viewing distance):
| Viewing | Rough DPI band |
|---|---|
| Close (handouts, magazine-like) | ~150–300 DPI |
| Medium (banner, vehicle graphic) | ~75–150 DPI |
| Distant (billboard, building wrap) | ~20–50 DPI |
Habits:
- Design at (or larger than) final print size; scale down, do not invent detail by upscaling tiny rasters.
- Higher DPI → bigger files / slower machines — balance quality vs performance.
- Printer multi-pass can stagger droplets; still start with adequate design resolution.
Training: Design size & DPI.
RIP / output files
| Extension / kind | Role |
|---|---|
.prn |
Common ripped print file (Job Manager / hotfolder File send). |
| Hotfolder BMP (optional) | Side-car when File send saves BMP. |
| InkRIP project / canvas | Save work so you can reopen layout (native save naming — confirm on Monitor-PC File menu). |
Driver .dpf / Printer folder |
InkRIP printer-driver packages (import/export) — not artwork. |
| ICC / colour packages | Colour Profiles leftovers on cncu — profiles, not jobs. |
Common mistakes (software)
- RGB-only design for critical print colour — start CMYK when print-bound; expect duller conversion otherwise (RGB/CMYK).
- Upscaling a low-res raster — mud / pixels; redesign or use a larger source.
- Wrong viewing-distance DPI — close-view art at 30 DPI looks soft.
- Skipping Job Manager — canvas alone is not the print-ready step (Job Manager basic).
- Control software not running — RIP file exists but machine path fails (RIP ↔ control).
- Hotfolder enabled after files already dropped — existing files may not process; enable first (hotfolder help).
- Hotfolder canvas smaller than image — error; canvas must exceed image size.
- Expecting layout extras from hotfolder — no footnotes/borders/layout settings there.
- Confusing Output path — Job Manager Output column shows where
.prnlanded; look there before re-ripping. - Wrong printer / Mode on multi-driver setups — check Printer + Mode columns before blaming colour.
- Deep custom ICC too early — stay factory until Eric opens ICC depth (color-icc-concepts).
- Mixing VinylCut workflows here — cut/plotter languages belong in the VinylCut tree, not InkRIP.
- Putting serials in notes — never store activation codes in this tree.
- Elevated driver scripts without Eric — admin leftover exists; do not re-run unless asked.
Software-only file drills
- Import a known-size TIFF and a PDF; compare canvas size vs intended print size.
- Note colour mode of each file; convert a non-critical RGB sample to CMYK and observe.
- Save a practice canvas; send conceptually to Job Manager without a live printer.
- Sketch a hotfolder File→
.prnpath on paper (watch folder vs output folder).
Updated: 2026-09-05 (SAST).