Citation Software Inc. - FAQ - What is rasterization?

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Citation Software Inc.
Specialists in variable-data publishing since 1986
www.CitationSoftware.com info@CitationSoftware.com
508-436-2543

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QUESTION: What is rasterization?

ANSWER: Rasterization is the process of converting code that describes text and graphics into the format that is required by a printer's "print engine," which is the machinery that actually puts marks on a page.

Rasterization is performed by a "raster image processor," also known as a RIP.

With some systems, the RIP is a computer that is inside the printer itself. If you print your documents on a desktop printer such as a Hewlett Packard LaserJet or a Lexmark Optra, your RIP is probably inside the printer.

With other systems, the RIP is separate from the printer. For example, if your company uses a Xerox DocuTech printer, the RIP is probably a software program that runs on a Unix computer or a Windows computer that is separate from but connected to the printer.

The code that gets converted (i.e., rasterized) is known as "page-description-language code."

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