The next generation of the Harlequin RIP – the Harlequin+ Server RIP - is announced today by Global Graphics at Graph Expo (booth #5451). It is based on a re-engineered RIP kernel to bring a new level of ground-breaking functionality and performance to a wide variety of pre-press, digital printing, newspaper and workflow applications.

In addition to its ability to process PDF and PostScript files natively, the Harlequin+ Server RIP is the first commercially available graphic arts RIP to natively process files in the new XPS print format (XML Paper Specification) available with Windows Vista. This format will have ramifications for the entire print industry, initially amongst print service providers who already process Microsoft files as well as in-plants and print shops who undertake corporate printing, but ultimately across most segments of the print industry given the ubiquity of the Windows operating system. Native processing of file formats renders files more accurately and speedily because there is no conversion to an intermediary format.

The Harlequin+ Server RIP also introduces support for PDF 1.7, the soon to be published PDF/X-4 specification as well as JDF 1.3. There is also support for the HD Photo/JPEG XR format, a new file format for continuous tone still images that surpasses the limitations of existing image formats with superior compression capabilities and extended dynamic range.

The Harlequin+ Server RIP provides faster processing speeds than its predecessors, notably through multi-threaded rendering that helps remove RIP bottlenecks in handling raster data and takes full advantage of the new Duo and Quad core technology. A new retained PDF raster feature speeds up variable data processing by only RIPping new content on multi-page jobs so that the same areas are not processed repeatedly.

“Each new revision of the Harlequin RIP introduces significant performance increases and enhancements”, comments Paul Collins, the product manager for RIP technologies, “but this new iteration is highly significant because the kernel processor at the heart of the RIP has been re-engineered to provide more processing power. That’s why we’ve decided to call this version Harlequin PLUS because it really does bring more power and productivity to the print industry.