Will RAVES about...ImagePrint RIP Software

by WILL CROCKETT     created SEPTEMBER 2005

Few tools, short of our Frontier 570, have revolutionized our studio's shooting business and ShootSmarter University more than replacing our Inkjet printer drivers with software called ImagePrint. Here's why we think this printing software deserves to be in your place too:
Why buy something you already have?
When you bought your Epson 4000 it came with printing software right?  Right, but it doesn't live up to the potential of the printer.  Not even close.  We love the 4000 printer and didn't know what it was capable of until we printed to it through ImagePrint. Same thing with our 7600's and the Epson 9600 too.
ImagePrint is a RIP (Raster Image Processor) that actually replaces your Epson, (HP, Iris, etc.) printer driver with one that manages the ink better, provides more accurate color, "rezzes up" on the fly and creates the finest black and white inkjet prints you may ever see.  It's a software and hardware combo that actually licenses the printer - not the computer when you register and activate it.  Your printer is activated by the use of a dongle which is a small finger-sized electronic key that uses a USB slot to communicate with the software when you're ready to print.  At our school, we have a printer dongle glued into a USB hub that's attached to each printer so we can plug any of our printers into any of our Macs - and print through ImagePrint.  Those of you who have been to SSU know how well it works - like a charm.

For color printing,
Simply use the top row to select the printer, the page size (much like a canvas size in PS) select the print quality (we print at 1440 4 pass only here) then drag and drop any file into the page.  We then center and instruct the software to "fit" the file to the page which will rezz up the file during the printing process.  Next we choose the paper type and match the supplied output profile to our printer+paper+resolution choice and hit OK.  This will send the file to the spooler where we can easily manage the print order for the day as well as add an extra copy later if we need to.
Extras.

Added benefits of ImagePrint may come in handy, like the same license covers all your Macs and PC's, solid tech support, a color tweaking window for slight adjustments if you like (personally we never use it because we have never needed it - we think the stock color is great), layout tools for creating your own multi print templates, and a slick "hot folder" that will auto print a file to your exact specs as soon as it's dropped into the folder are all very useable.

But wait, there's more

B&W rocks using the TINT feature located in the Color Management window that permits you to dial in a warm, cool, olive or selenium tone to your highlights midtones and shadows - or split tone with shadows tinted one direction and highlights tinted a different direction.  Our recipe for B&W portraits? 60,60,60,60.  Mr. Hauser loves that one too!

Nothing prints B&W with more control over print quality and tinting / toning than ImagePrint.  They have poured countless hours into designing their own "secret sauce" for B&W that makes it simple, controllable and very repeatable.  With a good quality monitor and a solid profiling kit you can see the tinting on-screen pretty well, but don't expect to see all the subtleties of the toning on the monitor, here's where you will have to take a look at the final print to really get it nailed down to your taste.  Here's our take on digital B&W.

Who should buy this?
Any pro photographer who is serious about inkjet quality and productivity, or a studio that needs to boost their inkjet workflow.  We do suggest you buy this from a digital photo dealer that you are comfortable with because the install is very different than other software packages and can be a little bumpy the first time.  If your dealer will help you install it on the first computer - you'll be an expert on the next install.  So ask your dealer if they can help if you need it before you buy.

Hardware suggestions.
Please don't buy this expecting your Epson 1280 to perform miracles.  It will work on printers as small as a 2200, but I suggest you move up to at least an Epson 4000 if you are considering ImagePrint. 

Here's a list of the printers that are supported by ImagePrint, but please be aware that you will have to pay an activation fee for each printer you intend to use. The new 4800, 7800 and 9800 versions of ImagePrint will be out in the Fall of [2005] which means my pals who are on a tight budget just may find a bargain on a used 4000 or 7600 which will free up some cash for a copy of this RIP.
Heads up...

This is a professional tool, not just a "plug and play" printer driver.  You will need to take your time to learn how this tool works in order to use it properly.  Also, it's not a glossy and slick interface like some other software you use everyday, in fact it looks a little "home-made" in some parts.  The instruction manual is written by techies to describe how the software works and what it will do instead of how you can use it in your workflow, so chasing down some info is a little frustrating.  The solid tech support makes up for any of these deficiencies.

Purchase suggestions and pricing.
Well, nothing worth having in the photo biz is cheap, so here's the bad news. ImagePrint for the "raster" version (photo - no Postscript type processing capability) for your Epson 4000 is going to set you back about $900, for the 7600 - $1500 and for the big dog 9600 it's $2,500 beans.  Ouch.  Painful, but worth it.  I suggest to try before you buy and download the demo version that offers up all the features of the full version but prints a really rude DEMO DEMO DEMO watermark over the entire print. : )
As always, we suggest you but this workflow tool from your local professional photo supply dealer. If they don't sell ImagePrint, tell them that's a shame and find another dealer that does. Calumet Photo not only sells it, but actually has an ImagePrint expert on staff in the Chicago store to help you.  Please email me if you would like his contact info.   Please support your local dealer first though, we don't want to loose them!
Bottom line.

We refuse to print inkjet without ImagePrint.  My staff loves it as much as I do. What more can we say?

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