Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
original color based upon the output device. The output profile will cor-
rectly map these output values upon conversion.
Common Mistakes
There are some common mistakes I see from time to time when it comes
to Photoshop and color management. Some I've touched upon, but I see
these issues so often on the various online forums that I wanted to
address them again for emphasis.
The first common mistake is attempting to alter an RGB working space
gamma encoding to match the display. This is not necessary, and is poten-
tially dangerous. The second common mistake is loading your display
profile as a working space. This is a very bad idea and it does nothing but
ensure you have a poorly behaved and highly unstable color space in
which to edit your images. The next big mistake is assuming that all you
need is an sRGB working space and files in sRGB for all your output needs
since all devices accept and are based on sRGB. This is total nonsense.
There are devices that expect data to be provided in sRGB so a conver-
sion can take place to the actual output color space. If this device has a
larger native color gamut, that additional gamut can't be used since the
original assumed data has been funneled into sRGB.
Another myth is that embedding a profile in a document will
somehow produce major problems with output devices or provide poor
color. By now, you know that an embedded profile simply is a descrip-
tor. There are some very ancient RIPs made in the last century that might
choke if they encounter a document with an embedded profile. If you're
dealing with a shop that has such an old piece of equipment in use, I'd
question how long you should continue to work with them. Many old-
school printers feel that the addition of a profile will ruin the color in the
document. Aside from the old RIPs that can't deal with this kind of non-
image data, which isn't any different than a clipping path, alpha channel,
annotation, or the like, the profile isn't affecting the color. More impor-
tantly, the embedded profile defines the color as the creator intended it
to appear. It's essential in a color-managed Pipeline.
Be very concerned with shops and labs that send you some print and
a file, then expect you to alter the color controls on your display to match
the reference print. Run away from these people as fast as you can! They
obviously don't understand how displays, let alone modern versions of
Photoshop, operate. They are also under the impression that you should
alter your Pipeline to fit theirs, not vise versa. Your display is profiled and
calibrated; hopefully so is theirs. Your files have ICC profiles and they
can view your files as you did. You can supply the files in print/output
space because the shop or printer provided you with an output profile or
you made your own.
You
get to pick the rendering intent and pre- and
postconversion image edits based on a soft proof. Shops and printers that
demand you send them a file in an RGB working space are going to have
