The Preferred Software for the Direct-to-Garment Industry
WHAT IS MULTIRIP GP? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR DTG PRINTING?
MultiRIP GP (also called MRGP) RIP software for direct-to-garment (dtg) printing is one of the leading printing software programs for the Decorated Apparel Industry. MultiRIP GP is developed by the same RIP manufacturer that powers some of the most common known dtg printers industry - like DTG Digital, Flexi-Jet, Direct Advantage and more. MultiRIP GP provides dtg users both a Print To and Print From RIP applications to send their artwork to the dtg printers.
For dtg printers, a RIP software becomes important for several reasons, but here are three main ones:
To control the dot size and amount of ink that can be dropped in a single pass.
The automatic creation of the white underbase and white highlight layers.
To apply multiple ICC profiles to maximize the color potential of the printer.
NOTE: MultiRIP GP is a separate software program than the hybrid, dual printing software program. Currently, the software is only available for printers based off of the Epson R1800, 1900, 2100, 2200, 4800 and 4880 printers. One license of MultiRIP GP will allow the user to run any of the printers mentioned above. For more information on MultiRIP GP, either review the MultiRIP GP FAQs Page or contact a Distributor by clicking here.
For more information about dtg printing, please click here.
For information on color management assistance, please click here.
Print From (On Screen Interface) RIP Application for MultiRIP GP:
To download the completet manual for the Print From RIP Application, click here.
What is the Print From RIP Application?
The Print From RIP application in MultiRIP GP allows the user to save their artwork in a raster format (.PSD, .JPG, .TIFF, .BMP, .PNG,...) and then bring it into a RIP application screen to position / size and create the proper printing layers.
When should it be used?
This application is recommended for new dtg users as it provides more on-screen visual assistance. Click here for a video that highlights the features in the Print From application.
Below is more information on the different features found in the Print From application.
For screen videos on how MultiRIP GP Print From application works, please click here.
White Ink Controls Tab
The White Ink Controls tab contains the features needed to create the white underbase and white highlight layers. The White Layer Generator will create the white ink underbase based on the graphic being used and also provide the user control of the black ink in the design as well.
Below are the options available in the White Layer Generator:
* Use Transparency to Detect Background(PDF | Small Video | Large Video | WMV Video)
* Use Background Color(PDF | Small Video | Large Video | WMV Video)
* 100% White Under Every Color Pixel(PDF | Small Video | Large Video | WMV Video)
* Underbase Under the Entire Image(PDF | Small Video | Large Video | WMV Video)
* Import from File(PDF | Small Video | Large Video | WMV Video)
* Use Only White Ink (PDF | Small Video | Large Video | WMV Video)
NOTE: Small Video files are hosted on YouTube and are recommended for dial-up internet connections. Large Videos are Flash Video files and WMV Videos are Windows Media Videos files that may take longer to download to your computer depending on your internet connection.
The Black Ink Handling feature allows the user to choose whether to print the black ink in the design or remove it and use the color of the garment instead. Adjusting the slider, the user can determine what percentage of black ink will be removed. In addition, the user can import their own black ink layer in as well. For more information on this feature, click here.
The Auto White Highlight feature allows a second pass of white ink to be printed at the same time as the CMYK color pass to make any pixels that contain 100% pure white stand out even more. The user also has the capability of importing in their own White Highlight layer as well. Click here for a video on this feature.
Color Settings Tab
The Color Settings tab allows the user to set the RGB / CMYK source profiles, the Output profile to be used, the Color Appearance (Photo / Normal or Vivid / Darker) and adjust the brightness of the graphic.
Most users will prefer to leave both the RGB and CMYK Source Profiles as "None" unless they understand color management.
Users will choose the Photo/Normal setting in the Color Appearance field is digital photos and Vivid/Darker for clipart designs.
The Brightness feature allows users to either increase or decrease the brightness level of the graphic after it is inside the Print From application. This feature will have a cummulative effect on the graphic. So making small adjustments is recommended.
Artwork Tab
The Artwork tab allows the users to position and rotate the graphic on the platen inside the Print From application.
The user can click on the graphic to drag it into place, use the X- and Y-cooridantes or use the built-in Center Horizontal / Center Vertical buttons. User can adjust the size of the graphic by clicking on the small boxes in the corner of the graphic and drag them to the proper size.
The graphic can easily be rotated inside the Print From application to adjust for printing on a multiple platen setup or when the shirt is put on sideways for a longer, horizontal print.
Print Settings Tab
The Print Settings tab is where the user will select the media that is being printed on, the Print Quality (Resolutions), the number of passes, print direction and the ability to print in Dual CMYK mode.
The user has the ability set the printing resolution of both the CMYK and White underbase layers.
MultiRIP GP's Print From application allows the user to print the CMYK and White layers in different resolutions - which is not available from the Print To application. In addition, the user can select the # of passes the printer will print for both the white and color passes.
For designs with small text and fine lines, the user may want to print in Uni-Directional mode.
Check box for Dual CMYK mode
Predefined Settings Feature MultiRIP GP is designed to make it as easy as possible for users to print using the same settings. The Print From application comes with built-in predefined settings that will automatically change the following items:
* Which printer is being used
* Which Output Queue the job is sent to
* The platen size to load
* The Media being printed on
* The Print Quality of the Color Layer
* The White Ink Density layer being used. * Which Print Direction is being used.
* The Material Color already selected.
Users have complete control over these predefined settings by using the Settings menu located in the top left. Users can change existing predefined settings or create new ones based off of their own shop's requirements. For more details, click here for a video.
Import / Export Layers Features With the Print From application, users are able to export out the White, White Highlight and Color channels for manipulation in a graphic software program (i.e. Photoshop, Corel,...) and then import them back into the Print From application. Click here for more details on this feature.
Set Material Color Feature MultiRIP GP Print From application allows the user to change the background color of the platen to match the color of the garment being printed. The user can choose from one of the base colors or put in their own RGB values.
This feature will help to show the effects of printing CMYK ink on a color garment and how the graphic can change depending on the color of the garment.
Here is a complete playlist of all of the videos for the
MultiRIP GP direct-to-garment Print From Application.
Print To (Drop-Down Selection) RIP Application for MultiRIP GP:
What is the Print To RIP Application? When should it be used? The Print To RIP application in MultiRIP GP allows the user to print directly from their graphic software programs (i.e. Corel®, Adobe®,...) to the RIP Interface by selecting the appropriate settings at print time. This application is recommended for users that have experience in color management and want to be able to print vector-based objects (.CDR or .AI formats) without converting them to a raster graphic format (.PSD, .JPG, .TIFF, .BMP, .PNG,...).
Below is more information on the different features found in the Print To application.
For screen videos on how MultiRIP GP Print To application works, please click here.
Auto White & Soft Edge White Ink Layers MultiRIP GP is designed to enable the user to print white underbase layers using both automatically generated layers or sending your own white underbase layers. These layers have the ability to adjust the amount of white ink dropped under a color pixel based on the grayscale weight of the color ink to allow for graphics that fade on the edges.
* Click here to view the MultiRIP GP Layers Guide - an explanation of all the different layers available in MultiRIP GP.
Click here to view a video on the Color Layer Auto Mask feature in MultiRIP GP dtg RIP.
Click here to view a video on the Color Layer Auto Mask (Black Bckgrnd) feature in MultiRIP GP dtg RIP.
White Ink Highlight Feature Having the ability to send a White Ink Highlight layer at the same time as the CMYK color ink pass allows for the white ink your graphic to have a better pop and does not require an additional pass. MultiRIP GP allows the user to send a White Ink Highlight layer in the following three ways:
* White Mask Only – an automatic layer setting that will drop a second layer of white ink on any portion of the graphic where the underbase layer shows through the color layer.
* White Ink Threshold – an automatic layer setting that allows the user to select a % amount to create a faded white ink highlight layer.
* Separate White Ink Layer – a manual layer that allows the user to send a separate layer specifically done for a white highlight. This is typically used for screen printing files.
Click here to view a video on the White Highlight features in MultiRIP GP dtg RIP.
Easy CMYK Only Ink Printing for Light Garments
MultiRIP GP makes printing CMYK ink for light garment dtg printing easy. Click here to view a video on the Color Layer (CMYK Only) feature in MultiRIP GP dtg RIP.
MRGP Easy Printers for Easy Printing (Coming Soon!)
MultiRIP GP has three built-in Easy Printer selections that allow the user to set up pre-selective settings based off of their shops printing guidelines that allow for easier printing without having to go into the RIP settings. There are the following Easy Printers in MultiRIP GP:
* MRGP Easy Light Garment
* MRGP Easy Dark Garment 1
* MRGP Easy Dark Garment 2
Here is a complete playlist of all of the videos for the
MultiRIP GP direct-to-garment Print To Application.
Color Profiled for Maximum Color and Brightness MultiRIP has been profiled for multiple direct-to-garment (DTG) inks that are specially formulated to offer the best longevity and color gamut available to produce professional quality prints. These DTG inks are very bright and vivid to make you prints pop off the t-shirt.
Click here to learn how to maximize your color capabilities in MultiRIP GP dtg RIP.
Calibrated for Proper Ink Usage Most DTG printers over-saturate the prints on their shirts. To compensate for this, MultiRIP is calibrated to print the appropriate amount of ink on to the shirt to maximize your ink usage and minimize your costs through the use of simple drop-down selections.
Ink Calculator / Cost Analysis MultiRIP GP has a built-in ink calculator that determines the cost of ink for printing a specific graphic. This ink calculator allows the user to put the price of a liter for all channels of ink (whether running as Dual CMYK or CMYK + White Ink setup). Note: Any ink used for doing maintenance cleanings will not be included in this calculation.
Click here to view a video on how to setup the ink calculator in MultiRIP GP dtg RIP.
Add Custom Page Sizes Unlike some applications that limit your designing abilities to set paper sizes, MultiRIP will let you design your own paper size and keep this size in memory for future use.
Page Previewing You can preview individual pages in both the output queue and the "processed jobs" queue. This can save a lot of time if a mistake is caught before expensive media is wasted.
Job Archive / Reprint Feature
Allows users to export out the completed ripped file to be saved later for potential reorders. This feature allows the user to save notes about the file (i.e. the invoice, the cost of ink, the size of the graphic, location of the graphic,...) and also to preview the file before reprinting it.
Click here to view a video on how to use the Job Archive / Reprinter feature in MultiRIP GP dtg RIP.
Re-Print Pages without Re-Ripping Allows you to re-print individual pages or colors from a separation with a few simple clicks of your mouse. Once the job has been processed, simply open the job item in the queue, select the pages you wish to re-send to the printer (1). Select the number of copies (2) and click "Print Selected Pages" (3). The selected pages will be sent to the output queue. When making multiple copies, the pages can be "stacked" (1,1,1, 2,2,2, 3,3,3 etc.) or collated (1,2,3, 1,2,3, etc.).
ICM/ICC Based Color Management Supports the use of ICC and ICMs for color management. The user can select the color space of the input CMYK and RGB as well as the output ICM if they desire. All media types included with MultiRIP have been pre-linearized and the manual selection of an output profile is seldom needed. If the user has created a custom output profile, however, MultiRIP uses it per your request. You can select the ICC/ICMs at print-time or right at the RIP control panel when manually inserting PostScript or PDF files or re-processing previous jobs. A utility is included in the software which allows you to add ICM name entries into your PPD so that they appear at print-time in the print configuration dialog.
Here is a complete playlist of all of the general videos for the
MultiRIP GP direct-to-garment RIP Software.
