Raster image processor - Definition and Overview

A raster image processor (RIP) is a component used in a printing system which produces a bitmap. The bitmap is then sent to a printing device for output. The input may be a program in a high-level page description language such as PostScript, Portable Document Format or another bitmap of higher or lower resolution than the output device. In the latter case, the RIP applies either smoothing or interpolation algorithms to the input bitmap to generate the output bitmap.

A RIP can be implemented either as a software component of an operating system or as a firmware program executed on a microprocessor inside a printer. Ghostscript and GhostPCL are examples of software RIPs. Every PostScript printer contains a RIP in its firmware.

See also raster graphics and vector graphics.