This is my first post to the group and I don't have much experience with
printing technologies so I apologize if my questions seem rather basic.
Although I have been using inkjet photo printers for a while, I have began
to question whether I am really getting the best results I can for my
printed photos. They look very good and in fact rival anything I ever got
from film and traditional chemical developing techniques. However, I feel
that with the current digital technology and the quality of the files I work
with the prints could (and should) look better.
I work with two Epson printers - a Stylus Photo R1800 (resolution of 5760 x
1440) and a Stylus Photo 900 (resolution of 5760 x 720). The printer driver
provides options that vary according to the paper type selected but one has
no control over the resolution used for printing. With this in mind, here
are my questions:
1. I work with files generated by a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II digital SLR that
produces images with a resolution of 4992 x 3328. When printing a 8" x 10"
photo these files should allow a resolution of 499.2 dpi along the longest
dimension and 416 dpi along the shortest dimension. In case the same file is
used to produce a 4" x 6" photo, the resolution would be 832 dpi along the
longest dimension and the same 832 dpi long the shortest dimension.
- How do I know if the printer is using every pixel provided by my file and
placing each pixel on the printed photo instead of just defaulting to the
popular 300 dpi ?
- How can I control the final resolution and force the printer to use all
the available pixels on the image file ?
- In case I choose a resolution that exceeds that of the image file, will
the printer interpolate to create dots on the printed photo that do not
exist in the original image file ?
2. How exactly does RIP software work ? Would I benefit from using a RIP
application and will it give me control over printing resolution and other
features that I can't control with the standard printer driver available for
these printers ?
3. What do you think of PrintFab for the Macintosh ? Is this a good RIP ?
Does it provide increased control over the final print and what kind of
features does it have ? Is there another inexpensive (considering this is
for personal use) RIP you would suggest that would provide me more control
over the printing process and help me improve the quality of my prints ?
In case this is important information, I work with a PowerMac G5 dual
processor 2.0 GHz and it runs OS X 10.4.10 (latest version of Tiger).
Inkjet printer best results. RIP software ? 
Linear Mode
