InkRIP — core workflow: design → RIP → print

InkRIP-only path. Do not mix vinyl-cutter / VinylCut steps here.

0. Before starting

• Know what InkRIP is vs printing control software (board/control programme on the printer — separate from the RIP). See https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/inkrip/ui-overview.md.
• Getting Started series: Buy → Download → Install → Activate → Deactivate (softwaretraining).
• Prefer latest AM build + matching printer driver package for the attached machine — physical printer choice deferred (Eric skipped hardware for now).
• Activation on Monitor-PC: done (7.2.14.0.4). Never store serials here.

1. Activate (once per seat) — done on Monitor-PC

1. Launch InkRIP Easy RIP (InkRip.exe).
2. Enter serial / activate for full features (softwaretraining Part 4) — already activated.
3. Deactivate before moving seats (Part 5 / uninstall-reactivate materials).
4. Never store serials in learning trees.

2. Printer driver inside InkRIP (concepts now; live attach later)

InkRIP printer drivers are in-app (not “only Windows printer”):

1. Understand what an InkRIP printer driver is.
2. Install / uninstall drivers; make copies; set properties.
3. Choose / customise resolutions.
4. Confirm ink slot order (CMYK / white / varnish as applicable).
5. Import / export drivers (.dpf / Printer folder) when updating.

Match driver to the physical AM DTF / UVDTF / FastCOLOUR (or other supported) printer when Eric names one. Until then, study UI + factory profiles only.

3. Design / layout in InkRIP (or import)

Introduction series flow:

1. UI overview (https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/inkrip/ui-overview.md).
2. New / open / save canvas (project).
3. Add images; canvas adjustments; basic operations; tips.
4. Toolbar: shapes, strokes, text, fills, footnotes, etc.
5. Transform / nest / align / flip-rotate / equidistant layout / MSM nesting.
6. Respect design size, DPI, RGB vs CMYK practices (https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/inkrip/file-types-and-pitfalls.md).

Many shops design in external apps then import into InkRIP for RIP — that’s fine; still an InkRIP workflow.

4. Colour management (learning depth)

Color Manager / ICC mini-series (high level):

1. About ICC profiles (https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/inkrip/color-icc-concepts.md).
2. Machine / nozzle prep; spectrophotometer where used — deferred.
3. Ink limit; linearisation; mixed ink values — deferred.
4. Create / import / export ICC; apply new profile — deferred.

Default until Eric says otherwise: factory / bundled profiles only. Skip deep ICC / spectro until printer + media + spectro availability are decided.

5. Job Manager → RIP → print

1. Open Job Manager (basic operations → detailed info) — see ui-overview.
2. Confirm RIP ↔ control software connection for the printer (when hardware exists).
3. Queue job; choose copies, media size, mirror/nest as needed.
4. RIP / output — e.g. save ripped .prn where the shop expects (https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/inkrip/hotfolder-and-output.md).
5. Print via the linked control path; use hotfolder if the shop runs hotfolder (Tools → Hot Folder; English hotfolder help in manuals).

6. Spot / white / varnish jobs

• Spot colour / white channel / varnish materials exist (create-spot-color help; spot illustration; DTF white control training).
• Treat as InkRIP colour-channel setup — still not VinylCut.

7. Housekeeping

• Handy tips; clean nozzle guidance where InkRIP exposes it.
• Keep Printer drivers updated from cncu when Eric says to.
• Do not run elevated driver install scripts unless Eric asks.

Software-only practice path (current)

UI → canvas → Job Manager read-only → design-practices files → factory ICC awareness → hotfolder/.prn concepts → pause before live printer attach.

Updated: 2026-09-05 (SAST).