The definitive guide to ICC profiles, and why they matter
As a designer or producer you probably remember the first time you heard the term ICC profile. Like many in the industry, you may not understand exactly what ICC profiles are, how they work, or why they’re so important. We’ll use this post to shed more light on this key concept that is so vital for your print results.
A color profile is a set of data that describes a color space or gamut. Different gamuts display different ranges of color. Some computers show wide arrays of color, while others are quite limited in what they can display. Every device (phones, computers, scanners, etc.) has a color profile that defines the colors it can display or print.
A helpful analogy when trying to understand ICC profiles is to think of them like clothing sizes. You won’t fit all sizes of clothes, just like your colors won’t fit every single destination, whether it’s a screen or a printer. These destinations won’t be able to able to accommodate your range of colors and reproduce everything that makes your artwork special. That is why you need color conversion. Printing files without a full understanding and proper utilization of ICC profiles will result in this type of mismatch. One color profile will not yield the same results as another, just like the same pair of pants won’t fit everyone.
Why are ICC profiles necessary?
Printers use different color profiles depending on their capabilities, which are defined by ink and paper type. Some profiles have a higher range of greens or blues, while others are better at reproducing reds and yellows. Gamuts range from the RGB spectrum of digital devices to the CMYK of printers.
Computers can’t display all the colors that the eye can see, and ranges can vary from screen to screen. Printers too aren’t equipped to print every shade of color. Take this photo of a sunset:
On the left is the original image captured on a standard digital camera. Vibrant colors, amazing detail and stunning display. On the right? The image printed on a standard CMYK printer. Without assigning a profile to the sunset image, we sacrifice the integrity of the photo and lose the finer details that gave the original shot so much character.
If we assign the original image to a destination profile before printing, we would ensure near perfect accuracy of those same beautiful colors. For the most accurate results you should apply the ICC profile of the destination (i.e. the printer you are sending your artwork to) to all your projects.
Who needs accurate color profiles?
ICC profiles are needed by anyone using different devices to view the same file. Without them, your colors and images will change between digital devices and printers. Here are some examples:
Let’s say you want to print a photo of your trip to Greece, capturing the cliff-side houses and blue rooftops without sacrificing a single pixel of color.
Or you’re a digital artist creating the next great comic superhero. In which case you want to ensure that your character’s outfit is going to be consistent for digital readers as well as diehard print fans.
Or maybe you’re a marketing manager and your company’s logo is the most perfect shade of sky blue. A lot of resources went into brainstorming, designing, and creating brand guidelines, and maintaining consistency could be the difference between record sales and an unimpressive quarter.
Whatever the scenario, the correct color profile ensures that when your file moves across different devices, your colors stay your colors. During our many years in the print business, we’ve seen the extent to which mishandled ICC profiles can affect the end result. Don’t fall victim!
How do I change my ICC profile?
Different devices have different tools to change ICC profiles. But to ensure the most accurate color conversion from one ICC profile to another, using a color management tool like xColor is vital. Color management tools use DeviceLink technology to link between profiles and save the designer valuable time as opposed to manually converting to a new profile.
What can go wrong when ICC profiles are overlooked?
As with the image above, not using a color management tool to change your file to the correct ICC profile will result in inconsistencies. Ignoring color profiles doesn’t just change your colors, it subtracts from the vibrancy of the original file.
Our color management tool, xColor, ensures that doesn’t happen. And since xColor is cloud-based, your required color profiles are available anytime, anywhere. We built xColor so you can stay true to your colors!
Now that you’re well on your way to becoming an ICC Profile expert, start your free trial of xColor today!
