Frequently Asked Questions
A Raster Image Processor (RIP) is a mission-critical software component in printing systems. When printing documents (typically containing text, photos, illustrations, and graphics), the first step is converting the document data into a format the printer can understand. This format is called a Page Description Language (PDL). The printer driver software generates the PDL file, including instructions for text placement, font selection, graphics rendering, color management, and more.
The RIP takes over after the PDL file has been sent for printing. As the brain of a printer, the RIP accepts the PDL input and generates a raster output (grid of dots) that the printer subsequently marks on paper. The rasterization process involves converting the document data (such as lines, curves, text, etc.) present in the PDL file into a raster image, representing how the final printed page will appear, with each pixel containing information about toner or ink color, intensity, and position.
The RIP ensures that the complexity and richness of the original design are faithfully reproduced in print. The RIP also orchestrates precise color and font management and navigates transparencies, halftoning, and more.
Adobe Embedded Print Engine is Adobe’s cutting-edge RIP technology for A4, A3, and entry-level large-format printers. It powers millions of printers worldwide across a diverse spectrum of device types and ensures that every print mirrors the quality and intent of the original design.