Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Will one of you very knowledgeable folks out there please explain to me "how" you install and "use" these ICC Color Profiles I keep reading about on this forum. I'm sure it's obvious to many, but not to me and I'm guessing several others.

I (loosely) understand the concept, but also wonder if I should be using an ICC Color Profile for my home printer, and different print paper I use. I also send jpeg files to Bay Photo, Mpix, and Costco for printing. Should I also have an ICC Color Profile for each of them? If so, how to install and test all of these?

They say "knowledge is power" and in this case I don't have the knowledge. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Each paper you use has an ICC profile created for it. An ICC profile tells the printer how to lay down the ink in the best way (a simple way to say it). I use Red River paper a lot and when I buy paper from them online there is a place on their website where an ICC profile is stored. They also tell you how to, after you download the ICC profile, load it onto your computer in the correct place. A mac and a PC would be different as to where the ICC profile is stored. When you load it onto your computer it automatically goes into the correct place for you to access it when printing. I use Lightroom and when I print I choose the correct profile in a certain place in the Print Module for the paper I am using. Most outside printers have an ICC profile for their paper on their websites. For an outside printer the only reason you would need an ICC profile is if you were going to use Proof printing on your computer, which is a whole different topic. In proof printing you can choose an ICC profile and paper and then see how it would turn out and, if needed, you could correct that image as needed for it to turn out how you want it to. You should always, when printing images, use an ICC profile for the paper of your choice.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

You need a different profile for each outside print house (usually they are available on their website) and for each type of paper that you print at home. You download them into your post processing program and enable color management. Be sure to disable color management in the computer’s print manager so that they both aren’t trying to manage the color simultaneously. Not sure what ap you’re using for PP, but if it’s PS, I can tell you how to enable it, and if something different, perhaps someone else can assist. The final step is to enable soft proofing in your PP application. After you do that, you adjust the image in the soft proofing view to your liking and IF you’ve calibrated your monitor and installed the correct ICC profile, the print should be very close to what you see at the soft proofing stage. Does that help?

chemsaf Loc: San Diego

Adding to the correct information above, I generate my own ICC profiles for papers using a Color Munki calibrator. These get used as explained above

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Go here: https://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/profiles.htm

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Thank you!

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Yes, thanks!

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Thank you very much, Rick!

twodogs Loc: Billings Montana

Just to add a bit, if you're using a Mac just downloading doesn't mean you can use the profile. You have to then put the profile in the "profile" folder in the utilities. THEN it will show up to be used in your printer driver.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

All great answers given. I use specific ICC Profiles for the paper and printer that I am using

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

I use a PC. Will figure out where they go.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Everything starts with a custom monitor calibration and ICC profile. This is something *you* have to create by using a kit from Datacolor or X-Rite.

The kit includes either a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer (also known as a “puck”), and some software. Plug in the puck and install the software. Then run the software and follow the simple on-screen instructions to calibrate the device and to create and install the custom ICC-compliant monitor profile.

NOTHING works properly unless the monitor is properly calibrated and profiled. That step assures that everything else is honest!

With that done, the next step is to install either manufacturer-supplied paper profiles, or custom paper profiles that you make with your own kit.

A generic paper profile is tied to a specific brand and type of paper, AND a specific MODEL of printer. It is also tied to OEM brand inks, if you’re using an inkjet printer.

You can download the generic profiles you need from third party paper vendors and/or manufacturers. Printing third party papers usually requires using your application software to control color and choose the right profile.

If you’re using OEM paper, you already installed the profiles for their papers when you installed the printer driver. Printing by using only the driver to control color will use these profiles.

A custom paper profile is tied to a specific brand and type AND BATCH of paper, AND to a SPECIFIC physical printer and ink or process.

A LAB-supplied profile is used in the same manner.

Windows and MacOS store profiles in different locations. Your paper supplier or lab can tell you how to install them. Or, follow the Help system on your OS.

Following your software provider’s instructions for “soft proofing” (really, just using the printer profile to change the on-screen view) will enable you to see the most accurate approximation of what the print will look like. Final color adjustment can be done during soft proofing, to get just the look you want.

It’s not rocket science, but it requires discipline and attention to detail to get this process right. You’ll know it’s right when your prints are a good, close match to your monitor images!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

👏👏👏👏👏

Nigel7 Loc: Worcestershire. UK.

In Windows 10 (and I think back to Windows 7) you can find the profiles in Windows/System32/Spool/Drivers/Color.

Good luck.