RIP stands for raster image processor — the software between the design file and the printer: it rasterizes artwork, manages color profiles, nests and tiles jobs to the roll, and routes CutContour paths to the cutter. VersaWorks ships free with Roland printers, Flexi runs by subscription (commonly starting around $60+/month), and Onyx and Caldera serve production print departments. Comparison: wraptor.io/blog/best-rip-software-wrap-shops.