1. A method for automatic discovery of a networked raster image process (RIP) engine, the method comprising: determining, by a non-printing device, that an entity is searching for a plurality of RIP engines, the RIP engines separate from one or more printing devices and are adapted to translate digital vector image data of a print job into bitmapped image data or raster bits for printing of the print job by the printing devices, the non-printing device and the entity part of a networked system including a plurality of other devices including the RIP engines, the RIP engines greater in number than the printing devices, where such determining comprises the non-printing device receiving a RIP engine discovery request from the entity, the RIP engine discovery request denoting that the entity is inquiring whether the non-printing device is a RIP engine or not; responsive to the determining and responsive to receiving the RIP engine discovery request, where the non-printing device is one of the RIP engines, notifying the entity, by the non-printing device, that the non-printing device is a RIP engine; and, where the non-printing device is not one of the RIP engines, performing, by the non-printing device, an action other than notifying the entity that the non-printing device is a RIP engine.