An ICC Profile maps a particular device-dependent color space to an L*a*b* standard or an L*a*b* standard to a particular device-dependent color space. For example, when you scan an image the original color space of the scanner is RGBSystem for describing colors based on a combination of values for Red, Green, and Blue—the additive primaries. RGB is the basic additive color model used for color video display. Mixing various percentages of red, green, and blue light can recreate most of the spectrum; combining 100% of all three creates white light. See CMYK, Additive Color.. An ICC Profile converts the RGB color space to an L*a*b* color space. Then another ICC Profile converts the L*a*b* color space to a CMYKSystem for describing colors based on a combination of values for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black; the ink colors used in four-color process printing. In theory, 100% of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow create Black. In practice, the addition of Black ink is necessary to print a true Black. See also RGB. color space for printing. If each profile is accurate, the printed image will match the colors of the original image.

 

NOTE: Profiles are tied directly to the color space they were created in. You cannot take a profile created for one printer and use it with perfect results on another printer.

An input profile corrects color shifts of the image file. Depending on where and how the image was created, the image may be too dark, too light, too saturated, etc. The input profile tells the software how to correct for these situations.

 

Each program or scanner may use a different color space, so it is very important to know where your image files come from to choose the proper input profile. If you scan your own images, use a scanner profile created by MediaA paper or other substrate that the printer creates images on. Manager for your scanner.

 

If you do not know the color space of the image, choose DefaultCMYK and DefaultRGB for both Image and VectorA term given to a graphic drawing, specified as a color, start and end point, and applied to line segments, type and tints. Object profiles.

 

For more information, see ICC Profile Setup.

An Output ProfileA profile that describes the color characteristics of an output device, such as a printer or film recorder. is a profile that corrects the color shifts due to idiosyncrasies in the media, ink, and printer options. Choose Default Printer ICC from the CMYK Media Output Profile selection of the ICC Profile Setup dialog; unless you use a 3rd party profiling workflow.

 

When Default Printer ICC is selected as the CMYK Media Output Profile, the default profile for the resolution and dot pattern of your image is used automatically. If you are using a media, resolution, or dot pattern that is not profiled, the color accuracy of your image cannot be guaranteed.

 

While an output profile corrects color shifts, the Rendering Intent controls how that correction is applied.

 

For more information, see ICC Profile Setup.