RIPs--Directing the Imagesetter

During the past several years, RIPs have evolved from single-mode software interpreters able to take in just PostScript to highly sophisticated workflow automation tools that can interpret multiple file formats (PS, EPS, TIFF, TIFF/IT-P1, PDF, DCS32), apply multiple in-RIP operations—chiefly screening, color management, display list editing, trapping—and render output as different file formats to different output devices, or to disk storage for output at a later time.