InkRIP — UI overview (software-only)
InkRIP-only. No physical printer required to learn this page. Sources: AM softwaretraining Introduction / Job Manager mini-series transcripts + Monitor-PC install layout (7.2.14.0.4).
What you are looking at
InkRIP is a RIP (Raster Image Processor): layout / colour / nest jobs, then convert them into something a printer (or its control software) can print. Designing inside InkRIP is optional — many shops import artwork and RIP here.
Keep this folder separate from VinylCut (vinyl design/cut is a different suite).
Main workspace (from UI Part 1)
After launch you typically see:
| Area | Role |
|---|---|
| Menu / main bar (top) | File-style actions; undo/redo; some options only appear when you open the extra menu control. Training often calls this the main toolbar / menu bar. |
| Toolbar (left) | Draw shapes, zoom, selection; context widgets under it for flip / snap / modify based on the selection. |
| Canvas (centre) | White design area + surrounding blank space; rulers for scale/alignment. |
| Project tabs + Job Manager tab (top of canvas) | Switch between open projects and the Job Manager queue. |
| Prompt area (bottom) | Progress bars, status messages, hover hints. |
| Cursor / zoom readout (far right of status) | Mouse position + zoom level while measuring. |
Training: User interface locations · Introduction index via inkrip-basics.
Job Manager — why it exists
Job Manager is the final step before printing: it turns your design into a print-ready file the printer path can understand (RIP / raster image process).
Open it from the Job Manager tab among the project tabs.
Basic queue controls (Part 1)
With a job selected:
| Control | Role |
|---|---|
| Preview (right) | Shows which file you are about to RIP / print. |
| Start print | After RIP, start output when control software is ready. |
| Stop | Halt if something goes wrong. |
| Delete job | Remove a job from the queue (cleanup). |
| Move to top / up / down / to bottom | Reorder the waiting line (up/down = one step; top/bottom = front/back of queue). |
Training: Job Manager basic · Job Manager index.
Detail columns (Part 2)
With a job selected, columns typically include:
| Column | Meaning (AM training) |
|---|---|
| Task | File / job name. |
| Creation date | When the job entered the queue. |
| Printer | Which InkRIP printer driver / device this job targets (multi-printer shops). |
| Mode | Colour / ICC mode applied to the job. |
| Status | Finished / error / in progress, etc. |
| Progress | RIP or print progress. |
| Time / duration | How long the job took (useful for costing / prediction). |
| Output | Where output went — e.g. path of a saved print file (.prn-style) when ripping to file / flash / control software. |
| Info | Error / log detail when troubleshooting. |
Training: Job Manager detailed information (live slug spelling detailes).
Printer / media concepts (no first machine named)
Software-only framing until Eric names a practice printer:
- InkRIP printer driver — in-app driver (properties, resolutions, ink slot order, import/export
.dpf/ Printer folder). Not “Windows printer only.” - Media / canvas size — set project / canvas to the intended print size; scale down from larger masters rather than upscale blurry art.
- Control software — separate programme that loads the ripped file (often
.prn) and drives the machine; leave it running so InkRIP can talk to the printer. (AM training cites PrintEXP as a common control example — still not VinylCut.) - Queues — Job Manager is the RIP queue; control software may have its own print queue — two layers, not one.
Training: RIP ↔ control connection.
Install tree cues (Monitor-PC, learning only)
Under C:\Users\eric\AppData\Local\AM.CO.ZA InkRIP Easy RIP Software\ (do not land KB here):
- Main exe:
InkRip.exe(ARP 7.2.14.0.4). - Tree includes DevDriver / USB Driver / PrinterInstaller / vcredist (elevated driver leftover may still be pending — see questions-for-eric; do not re-run elevated scripts without Eric).
Software-only drills (no printer)
- Launch InkRIP → identify menu bar, left toolbar, canvas, prompt bar, cursor/zoom readout.
- New / open / save a blank canvas (Introduction series Part 2 neighbour).
- Open Job Manager tab → note empty vs sample columns; do not require a live machine.
- Read Start / Stop / Delete / reorder controls conceptually.
- Sketch the RIP → control-software → printer chain on paper (InkRIP vs control vs machine).
Updated: 2026-09-05 (SAST).