---
fmbm: core
by: serialize-door.sh @ BOH-Command-Silo-003-25-22
created_utc: 2026-09-02T14:56:22Z
created_local: Wed Sep 02 2026, 07:56 AM PDT
time_source: local
type: Apex Door
title: Pre-RIP
resource: https://pre-rip.com/
door_template: lander.template.html
door_template_version: 260901-3dd32a3b
serialized_utc: 2026-09-02T14:56:22Z
tags: [rail-works, apex-door, pre-rip.com]
status: live
---

# Pre-RIP

Pre-RIP is everything that happens to a file before the raster image processor touches it — ingestion, preflight, nesting, spot channel, and the ticket that follows the work. A plain definition, and the tools that do it.

## Status
- **The term** — Not ours. Prepress writing has used pre-RIP descriptively for years — we did not coin it and do not claim to. What we offer is a clean definition and working tools. (`LIVE`)
- **Preflight** — Dimensions read out of the file's own header, measured against the size ordered. Under 200 DPI is refused rather than printed soft. (`PROVEN`)
- **Nesting** — Bottom-left skyline packing with rotation. 24 order lines to 132 transfers to 21 sheets at 77% mean coverage, 0 overlaps. (`PROVEN`)
- **The data block** — A printed QR and two readable lines beside each piece, cut with it and cut off at the press. Measured film cost: zero. (`PROVEN`)
- **Colour** — We do not rasterise and we do not colour-manage. The RIP does that and does it well. Gamut warnings are pre-RIP; conversion is not. (`NOT YET`)
- **Spot channel** — Auto-generated white masks on a second layer. Identified, specced, not built. (`NOT YET`)

## Family
- [SheetRip](https://sheetrip.com) — Ingest and preflight — measured before you pay
- [RIPtoPRINT](https://riptoprint.com) — Routing, receipts and the shop floor
- [Rail-Works](https://rail-works.com) — The suite this door is cut from
- [PrintShop.link](https://printshop.link) — The print network