RIP Takes Vector Files And Translates Them Into Raster (smaller) Files

In printing terms, RIP stands for Raster Image Processor, and is a processor which converts image graphics into a format ready for printing.

Raster refers to the process of translating and what raster image processing does is very clever. 

First you need a vector file.  Vector files are images made by maths which means they can be made infinitely bigger without loss of quality. Common vector files are .ai | .pdf | .svg |.eps

Raster image processing translates these files into raster files which are fixed in size and much smaller.  Instead of being mathematically created these raster files are comprised a certain number of pixels.  Due to the fact that they are much smaller they can be easier to work with but they don’t have nearly the same quality and will distort when stretched. Raster files are .jpg | .png | . gif | .tif