A method for reducing delays in printing print jobs, the method comprising: while ripping first print job content using a raster image processor and printing, using a print engine, said first print job content received from said raster image processor: determining ripping performance data associated with ripping first print job content in real time; determining printing performance data associated with printing said first print job content in real time; tracking said ripping and printing performance data in real time; generating trend lines from said tracked ripping and printing performance data; displaying said generated trend lines on a display to indicate system status to a user; determining from said trend lines whether said print engine is at risk of outpacing said raster image processor such that said printing will be interrupted; if it is determined that the print engine is at risk of outpacing said raster image processor; then: selecting ready-to-print second print job content from a repository according to a plurality of predefined rules; switching (204, 315) from printing first print job content to printing said ready-to-print second print job content at said print engine in response to a user determining, based on said trend lines, when it is time to halt printing of the first print job content before switching to printing the ready-to-print second print job content; concurrently ripping said first print job content and printing said ready-to-print second print job content involving offsets to separate first print job content from second print job content; and in response to determining (206, 317) that the raster image processor can keep pace with the print engine such that printing of the first print job can continue, reverting (207, 320) back to printing first print job content at said print engine. while ripping first print job content using a raster image processor and printing, using a print engine, said first print job content received from said raster image processor: determining ripping performance data associated with ripping first print job content in real time; determining printing performance data associated with printing said first print job content in real time; tracking said ripping and printing performance data in real time; generating trend lines from said tracked ripping and printing performance data; displaying said generated trend lines on a display to indicate system status to a user; determining from said trend lines whether said print engine is at risk of outpacing said raster image processor such that said printing will be interrupted; if it is determined that the print engine is at risk of outpacing said raster image processor; then: selecting ready-to-print second print job content from a repository according to a plurality of predefined rules; switching (204, 315) from printing first print job content to printing said ready-to-print second print job content at said print engine in response to a user determining, based on said trend lines, when it is time to halt printing of the first print job content before switching to printing the ready-to-print second print job content; concurrently ripping said first print job content and printing said ready-to-print second print job content involving offsets to separate first print job content from second print job content; and in response to determining (206, 317) that the raster image processor can keep pace with the print engine such that printing of the first print job can continue, reverting (207, 320) back to printing first print job content at said print engine. selecting ready-to-print second print job content from a repository according to a plurality of predefined rules; switching (204, 315) from printing first print job content to printing said ready-to-print second print job content at said print engine in response to a user determining, based on said trend lines, when it is time to halt printing of the first print job content before switching to printing the ready-to-print second print job content; concurrently ripping said first print job content and printing said ready-to-print second print job content involving offsets to separate first print job content from second print job content; and in response to determining (206, 317) that the raster image processor can keep pace with the print engine such that printing of the first print job can continue, reverting (207, 320) back to printing first print job content at said print engine.