Software plays an integral roll in the digital print system in terms of both file preparation and output. At the file preparation stage, off-the-shelf or textile specific software is utilized to create and/or edit the digital image, to prepare engineered designs and repeats, and to manage numerical color values and visual relationships. Software can be used to create and edit full color imagery or to specify and edit individual hues for more 'conventional' spot color designs.

The RIP Station
Once the digital file has been created, it can be sent or downloaded to the print station. During the downloading procedure, a 'raster image processor' or 'RIP' station interprets the graphic image data and converts it into printable form. This print data directs the placement of tiny droplets of ink that are forced through the nozzles of a printhead onto the surface of the substrate.

Some textile RIPs are bundled with design software that allows the user to create and edit design files, specify color values and repeat structures, and input print parameters for digital prototyping that aid in the replication of a screen print look. The software package may also be used to create color profiles.

The Color Profile
A 'color profile' is applied at the printing stage to ensure accurate color reproduction, within the limitations of the print system. Color profiles are basically numerical descriptions that characterize the printable color space or 'gamut' for a specific fabric, ink, and printer combination. Profiles are typically created by the user through the use of profiling software and a digital color measurement device called a spectrophotometer. In simplistic terms, the spectrophotometer is used to measure the output values for known color targets, thus characterizing the color capabilities of the specific print system (fabric, ink, and printer). When a profile is applied to the file for printing, it provides the RIP software with an understanding of the color capabilities of that specific print system and how droplets of ink should be combined to accurately produce the intended colors within the limitations of the system.

In theory, a color profile would exist for each fabric and ink combination one desires to use. In reality, the creation of the color profiles can be quite an involved process. As textiles are available in a wide variety of fiber types, structures and characteristics that impact the way color is reflected, many users select to create color profiles for groups of fabrics with like characteristics (e.g. fiber type and weight). Using this strategy, profiles can be created and added to the profile library as print results illustrate the need.

Color profiling software can be purchased as part of the print system, or as a complementary software tool to the RIP function. To learn more about color and profiling, visit the library section of our techexchange website.