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Harlequin Server® RIP

The Harlequin RIP continues to outpace other RIP technologies by delivering exceptionally high-performance to process today’s print jobs across a wide range of devices and workflows. It’s compliant with industry standards and compatible with PDF creation tools.

gDoc Platform
The rich feature set in the Harlequin RIP means that OEMs and system integrators can build a wide variety of solutions.

It’s also extremely flexible: OEMs and ISVs can deploy the Harlequin RIP purely as a RIP and rebrand it with their GUI, or, they can deploy it as a near turn-key solution, taking advantage of workflow options that include in-RIP trapping, screening, proofing, color management, imposition and font emulation. There are specially developed OEM developer tools and a selection of plugins.

Version 9.0 of the Harlequin Server RIP was introduced in September 2011 and Global Graphics continues to invest significant resources in the development of this technology.

Performance

Print runs are getting shorter, and a growing proportion of jobs are being printed digitally. As a result the demand for throughput in pre-press is continuing to rise. The Harlequin RIP has a reputation for meeting the demand for speed. Version 9.0 continues to demonstrate a commitment to deliver ever faster systems, which is why it's been chosen by vendors of ultra-high volume inkjet presses and for major newsprint systems, as well as for commercial and other print sectors.

No need to flatten transparency

native processing of XPS, PDF and PostScript

The Harlequin RIP has processed PostScript files natively since 1988 and PDF files natively since 1997, including rendering of live PDF transparency since 2002. It also processes XPS, the print and document format from Microsoft natively (for full list, see Features).

Compatibility and compliance

Global Graphics has been active in its support for technical standards over the years but appreciates there is a balance to be struck between compliance with specifications and compatibility with real-world print jobs. Our RIP technology reflects this pragmatic approach: it is compliant with industry standards (see Features) as well as being compatible with the wide variety of tools making PDF in the field.

PostScript and PDF in one RIP

One RIP interface that handles multiple file formats is easier for you to integrate and you also have just one set of color management, screening, imposition etc. to understand, and , if required, connect to. With only one RIP interface to learn there is less of a training overhead for your customers with the assurance that they will achieve consistency of output.

Sensible price point

Since its introduction into a production system in 1988 Global Graphics’ Harlequin RIP has earned a reputation for performance, quality and reliability at a sensible price point.

Flexible licensing for your customers

Market conditions over the past few years have put increasing pressure on print companies and many wish to spread the cost of new equipment across a longer period of time. Included in Version 9.0 is technology to support you to lease a RIP as part of a complete solution or even sell it on instalment plans.

One RIP to drive many devices

The Harlequin RIP drives a vast range of devices including plate-making, CtP, proofing devices, digital presses and inkjet printers. By including the Harlequin RIP in your solutions your customers will benefit from working in one common operating environment and will achieve consistency of output.

In-RIP workflow

The rich feature set in the Harlequin RIP means that OEMs and system integrators can build a wide variety of solutions, fine-tuned for specific use cases. Many processes can be handled within the RIP including trapping, screening, color management, proofing, imposition and font emulation.

What's new in version 9.0

  • Spreading the cost of ownership

    OEMS can lease RIPs to their customers or even sell on an instalment plan

  • Extended color support

    Harlequin RIPs® were among the first to include in-RIP Color management. Accuracy and efficiency have been improved ever since.

    • Color accuracy: improvements for proofing, making CtP plates or driving a digital press. Reduced color errors for any given printer, ink, media, screening and resolution combination and optimum use of the printer’s gamut.
    • FograCert Contract Proofing System certified using the new plugin for the Epson Stylus Pro 7890 proofer including validation of PDF/X conformance by correct rendering of the FograCert PDF/X-Ouput testform (based on GwG patches).
    • PANTONE Plus: full support for the new PANTONE Plus library
    • Calibration: a new API that allows vendors of press color control solutions to directly submit plate calibration sets into the RIP without manual intervention.

  • Newly supported platforms

  • Increased optimization for PDF files with live transparency

    Accelerates the speed of processing transparent pages significantly. The Harlequin RIP has rendered live PDF natively since 2002.

  • Variable data print

    • External PDF retained Raster: a new external mode for this feature that accelerates VDP jobs for digital production presses. It allows the RIP to deliver page foregrounds and backgrounds as rasters for management and aggregation outside the RIP to give additional speed increase.
    • PDF/VT support: provides the technology required to build a Digital Front End (DFE) that is fully compliant with the PDF/VT standard ( ISO 16612-2:2010). All VDP jobs submitted as PDF are processed at maximum performance.

  • Roaming negative pages

    Faster, easier and less error prone inspection by allowing the operator to view them in positive mode.

  • Additional screening option

    Added option for cross-modulated screening (HXM) geared explicitly towards use on lower resolution devices between 900 and 1500 dpi.

  • PDF standards support

    • Extended PDF/X support: the RIP will apply color management and overprint control as required by PDF/X-4p: 2008; PDF/X-4:2010; PDF/X-4p:2010; PDF/X-5g and PDF/ X5-pg. It can also be configured to reject jobs that do not conform to a specific standard
    • PDF update after ISO 32000-1: Version 9.0 uses the corrected equations for calculating ColorDodge and ColorBurn transparency blend modes as defined in ISO 32000-2 expected in 2012
    • Japan 1-6 character collection: support for those cases where the required font is pre-installed in the RIP as well as when embedded within the PDF.

  • Extended Try Before You Buy

    Allows users of previous version to run Version 9.0 for a trial period before upgrading.

Input File Types

  • PDF 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, ISO 32000-1
  • PDF/X-1a:2001 & PDF/X-3:2002, PDF/X-1a:2003 & PDF/X-3:2003
  • PDF/X-4:2008, PDF/X-4p:2008, PDF/X-4:2010, PDF/X-4p:2010
  • PDF/X-5g:2008, PDF/X-5pg:2008, PDF/X-5g:2010, PDF/X-5pg:2010
  • PostScript® levels 1, 2 and 3, EPS, DCS (1 & 2)
  • XPS 1.0
  • JPEG, TIFF™
  • Enables OEMs to build PDF/VT-compliant DFEs

Input data sources

Jobs and control files can be received from: hot folder, socket, serial, Windows print subsystem etc.

Input plugin API enables Global Graphics’ OEM partners to write plugins for additional delivery protocols and hardware

Color management

  • Harlequin ColorPro™ color management module (CMM)
  • Support for RGB, CMYK, N-Color, gray and DeviceLink ICC version 2 and 4 profiles
  • Press/Proof Simulation
  • CMM API allows replacement with OEM’s own IP
  • SetGold™ utility: gray balance and ink limiting before profiling
  • FograCert certified contract proofing system (when used with Epson Stylus Pro 7890 and according to the application data sheet)

Trapping

Font Support

  • PostScript Type 0, Type1, Type2 (CFF), Type 3, Type 4, Type32, Type 42 (TrueType)
  • TrueType, TrueType collections (.ttc) and OpenType
  • CID fonts, including TrueType based ‘New CID’
  • Morisawa® PS Fonts CID/OCF (optional, requires license with Morisawa)
  • Demand Loadable Fonts (DLD1)
  • Extensive CJK support, including Adobe® Japan1-6 character collection

Other font features

  • User defined font substitution
  • Font emulation – patent pending, GATF Intertech award winner, 2007
  • Automatic job cancelation when fonts not available
  • Font rendering API, allowing addition of new font engines

Supplied Fonts

Base 35 core Linotype® Fonts (optional)

Variable data optimization

  • PDF Retained Raster caches common graphical elements for re-use.
  • Internal mode enables easy access to acceleration
  • External mode increases benefit, requires technology to re-combine rasters post-RIP. Includes auto-masking of marked areas.

Calibration

  • Calibration, dot gain, tone curve controls
  • Intended and actual press curves
  • Genlin™ utility: auto-import of calibration values
  • API to enable addition/replacement of calibration curves by third party pre-press equipment

Screening

Includes AM/FM screening tuned for a variety of devices:

Output devices

  • ProofReady™ plugins combine delivery of device connectivity with required screening and color profiles
  • Optional proofing Plugins available for Epson Stylus Pro: 4880, 4900, 7880, 7890, 7900, 9880, 9890, 9900
  • OKI Data c9650 plugin (optional)
  • Output plugin API enables Global Graphics’ OEM partners to write plugins for many output devices

Output formats

Rasters delivered in wide variety of color spaces, interleaving styles, etc. Contone or screened. Plugins available for creation of:
  • TIFF, supporting separated and composite color, screened and contone output
  • CIP3 for ink-key pre-setting (optional)
  • PDF wrapped raster for soft-proofing of the actual results from the RIP
  • TIFF/IT-P1 (optional).
Output plugin API enables Global Graphics’ OEM partners to write plugins for many output file formats
  • OEMs and ISVs can deploy the Harlequin RIP purely as a RIP and rebrand it with their GUI, or, they can deploy it as a near turnkey solution
  • High–performance continues to outpace other RIPs
  • Compliant with industry standards and compatible with a wide range of PDF creation tools
  • Processes variable data at lightening speeds
  • Sensible price point yet well-respected technology
  • Continued investment by Global Graphics, the developer of the Harlequin RIP. Now on Version 9.0 having first been used in a production system in 1988.
  • Ease of integration: one RIP interface to process PostScript and PDF; one set of color management, screening, trapping, imposition ( see Features) to understand
  • Extensive workflow options
  • Flexible licensing options for your customers
  • Industrial strength: robust and reliable
  • One RIP engine to process multiple formats
  • The Harlequin RIP has processed PostScript files natively since 1988 and PDF files natively since 1997, including rendering of live PDF transparency since 2002. It also processes XPS, the print and document format from Microsoft natively.
logos

Over the years the award winning Harlequin RIP has established a reputation for compliance and compatibility.

System requirements for Version 9.0 of the Harlequin Server RIP

Windows

  • XP, Vista, 7, Server 2003, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2
  • Compatible with 32- and 64-bit operating systems (can access more RAM under 64-bit Windows)
  • Processor: Intel Pentium 4 or later, AMD Athlon 64 or later.

Mac® OS X

  • 10.4 (Tiger), 10.5 (Leopard), 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
  • Mac OS X Server & workstation
  • Processor: 10.4 & 10.5: PowerMac G3, G4, G5; Intel Mac 10.6: Intel Mac

All systems: RAM

  • 1 GB (32-bit OS) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit OS)
    • Use of PDF Retained Raster requires additional RAM
    • Processing speed will normally be greater with more RAM.

Storage

4 GB free space (minimum)

Ports

USB port for the Sentinel security dongle.

CD-ROM

CD-ROM drive for installing the Harlequin RIP