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I read a lot about RIPing PDFs as the workflow of the future, but what are the advantages of RIPing PDFs as opposed to EPSs?
Thanks
I read a lot about RIPing PDFs as the workflow of the future, but what are the advantages of RIPing PDFs as opposed to EPSs?
Thanks
If you output PostScript (or EPS) for the RIP process, either for offset or digital printing, you are producing output that by definition is totally device dependent. Flattening of transparency in your original documents required for output to PostScript (or EPS) requires knowledge of the exact printing conditions including device resolution and color space. That is not necessary with PDF assuming you output PDF/X-4.
PDF offers other advantages such as the ability to print or reprint selected pages or ranges of pages, ability to easily view, search, perform touchups (if really necessary), preflight, and archive. Plus, given the compression techniques used in PDF, PDF is generally much more compact than PostScript (or EPS).
By the way, normally one would RIP PostScript files, NOT EPS, although some RIPs do allow this. It is certainly not best workflow practice.
Hopefully this gives you some idea of why the industry is most of the way through the transition to PDF print publishing workflows as opposed to those that are either PostScript-based or hybrid PDF and PostScript.
- Dov
Dov Isaacs is a Principal Scientist at Adobe Systems Incorporated specializing in PDF publishing workflow, PDF print standards, prepress, and printing. He is also chair of the ISO TC130 WG2/TF2 group responsible for PDF/X standards.