How does ImageNest work with QuadToneRIP?

QuadTone RIP is a printer driver for EPSON printers that allows the use of Piezography K6 and K7 profiles to be used to print six or seven shades of Piezography. It is selected from the Print Menu in Photoshop and allows the user to print one single image.

ImageNest comes along that allows the user to open a number of different images and do all the great things that a high-priced RIP does such as cropping and scaling and mixing images of different resolution onto one printing sheet. Even things like cut marks and applying profiles... From ImageNest, the user selects Print and selects QuadTone RIP to do the actual printing. This is how they work together. They become a powerful RIP solution with one (QTR) doing the actual printing and one (ImageNest) providing all the powerful RIP interface tools.

What is a RIP?

RIP stands for Raster Image Processor and any application that is a RIP can transform vector data into raster data. Vector data is data that is not defined in pixels but by math which enables it to be scaled infinitely without any loss in quality. Typical examples of vector data are fonts, logos, and illustrations. Programs such as InDesign, Quark, Corel Draw, all can create and utilize vector data in their layouts. File formats that end in PS, PDF, and EPS most often contain vector data and will only be printed properly by an application that contains a Raster Image Processor. TIFF, JPEG, Camera RAW, and other photographic formats are defined by pixels rather than vector math and do not require a RIP to be printed.

Is ImageNest a RIP?

Technically yes, In fact lots of programs can display and print PostScript. In fact, Apple Preview, PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Quark all have the capability of displaying PostScript files and writing out to PDF. All these actions require that vector data be turned into raster data. Where most of these programs differ from traditional RIP’s is that they will not create halftone dots or individually control a printer ink channels (although all RIP’s do not do this). RIP’s are often used for workflow nowadays as the requirement for PostScript is becoming less necessary since customers can print and display PostScript in their applications. ImageNest will print and display PDF, EPS, and most PostScript formats.

ImageNest differs from traditional inkjet printer RIPS because it uses the printer control of other printer drivers. ImageNest has all of the desriable functions and features but without the added expense of Postscript licensing and built-in printer drivers. So ImageNest is inexpensive. If you can pair it with the printer driver of your choice, you have an amazing low-cost solution!

Is ImageNest using Gimp Print to render Postscript?

No, it is utilizing Apple’s display PostScript to do PostScript rendering. It is the same technology used in Apple’s Preview application. Gimp print is not used in any way.

Is ImageNest suitable for Pre-Press work?

Yes, but mostly as a front end to a RIP that is SWOP certified. ImageNest is a layout application rather than a traditional RIP. It will easily function as a front end for a RIP but lacks the linearization and individual ink channel control features that is required to SWOP certify a printing system. ImageNest will function fine as a front end for any RIP on the market.

Will files print at their full resolution?

Yes, in the ImageNest interface files are rendered to a 72 PPI preview but they will print at your files native resolution. If you place a 300 PPI file into ImageNest it will still be 300 PPI and 300 PPI will be sent to the printer

Where on my computer are the ICC profiles that ImageNest uses stored?

ImageNest uses the profiles stored in your ColorSync Profiles folder. This folder can be found at:

Library/ColorSync/Profiles

The Library folder can be found at the root level of your main hard drive. Most applications utilize this system folder for profile storage.