Caldera RIP Software, views and advice needed, please.

[RobertLambie]

Hi Eddie

Surely that cannot be correct mate, “one Profile” for all media?
So this FREE software, is the answer to everyone’s problems, one shoe fits all? 🤓

Where did you buy the Mimaki Printer with the Caldera Ultimate solution? 🤨
Have you spoken to them again and asked for more Profiles for the software?

Could it be that the Caldera is free and has a generic basic profile.
But based on the Print material you are printing onto, you go to Caldera’s website and download the relevant profile?
If NOT the Caldera website, then maybe you go to the compatible profiles available on the vinyl manufacturer’s website?

I am not saying you “should” have to do that, I am just trying to come up with possible scenarios.

Personally, I would have been on the phone to the printer supplier and ask them for a solution.

[Eddie Watson]

Hi Robert

I know, right! one profile was all I had made and on one print mode too! you do need at least four, I have found and they must be profiled right to be of any benefit.

The Rasterlink RIP is purely made to work with Mimaki printers so really should have stuck with it but I wanted to see the difference of another RIP as I know how they can make the world of difference.

The Caldera RIP which I paid for, has not given me this. I think a RIP with no tried and tested profiles for your printer is like buying a car with no engine. I never knew it would not come with printer profiles installed. I was offered between 2-4 profiles made for my media but had no idea I would be left with one and not have the choice of pre installed profiles.

[Adam McMonagle]

Hi mate, give me a call

[Mark Johnston]

I have never heard that one print can be suitable for all different materials. 🤔

banner material
vinyl
contravision
glass etch
roll up stand material
paper

Thats six and i am not even trying!

[Eddie Watson]

Hi Mark, thanks for joining the chat.

exactly that! I was hoping around 4 would have worked but one is never going to work as I was left with. You have to have choice of profile so you can suit your medias requirements. I only really use about six media types. Thanks for agreeing, I thought the same.

[Jamie Wood]

I used Caldera for around 18 months on a Fuji printer which we had for a bit. We had profiles made by the company who sold us the printer, but I didn’t like the way Caldera built up massive amounts of temp files, which swamped the hard drive, and wasn’t keen on the workflow, although it is a good RIP, just different to what I was used to. We ended up getting rid of it, and the printer. I would go back to the supplier who sold you the RIP, and tell them that you want more profiles. If they either can’t, or won’t supply these, I would ask for my money back, and go with Onyx, which will have profiles for your Mimaki.

[Eddie Watson]

Hi Jamie

I don’t trust the way the profile was created by the company who sold me the RIP. It was a hand held tool and I know now there is a much more trusted way of creating profiles on a more stable system. Someone could make more profiles at more cost but as you say, ONYX works out the box. We use it on our Epson printer in our other division and it works great. I only chose Caldera as I had a redundant iMac I could put it on. It has proven to be a costly mistake.

[Jamie Wood]

Have you been in touch with Caldera in France? They should have profiles for popular printers. You would have to create an account, but it’s worth a shot.

[Eddie Watson]

Hi Jamie

They have the driver but no profiles. This RIP for me, its like buying a car with no engine, and the engine I did get, has one gear and you can’t go over 20mph.

At least I whont get a speeding ticket with this RIP

[Jamie Wood]

In that case, I would try and get a refund, as it’s not suitable for your needs.

[Eddie Watson]

Hi Jamie

I would like that but a full refund is not being offered. Just seeing what other options I have.

I have only been with Caldera for five months.