Everything You Need to Know about the International Color Consortium (ICC)

If you are planning to set up a business that deals with graphic design or printing, it is important that you are knowledgeable about International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles. With so different software programs now used for design and publishing purposes, ICC profiles would ensure that the quality of the images that you design and print would stay the same.

Knowing about ICC profiles would also be beneficial for you even if you are a design student or just beginning your career with a well-known design firm. Here are some of the basic information that you would need to know about International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles.

What is the International Color Consortium (ICC)?

The International Color Consortium (ICC) was established back in 1993 in order to create a standardize color management system. The proprietors of the International Color Consortium (ICC) found that different software programs used by designers and publishers have varying color management systems. As such, it has become common that what was designed using one software program may not appear exactly the same when viewed in another.

How does the International Color Consortium (ICC) Work?

The International Color Consortium (ICC) works by removing any areas of uncertainty that arise from viewing design materials through the use of two or more software programs. This happens because there are some software programs that use an RGB color management system while others use a CMYK color management system. The International Color Consortium (ICC) provides profiles which serves as look-up tables. These tables are to help a designer view the different properties of a color space. This would them allow you to match the color characteristics that your printer can provide based on the paper that will be used. This way, the final printout quality would be exactly the same as how you view it in your software program.

How to Optimize Your Work using the International Color Consortium (ICC)

In order for you to get the most out of using the International Color Consortium (ICC), the first thing that you would need to do is to calibrate your computer monitor. The next thing that you would need to do is to download the International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles for your scanner and your printer. There are a lot of websites published over the Internet where you can easily download. You can also go directly to the International Color Consortium (ICC)’s website to register and download this. The ICC profile would depend on the brand of both your scanner and your printer. Once you have completed this, the next thing to do is to ensure that all your design software programs are set using an RGB color management system. The ICC profile would not be able to perform as well if you stick to using a CMYK color management system.

One Final Note…

Currently, the widely available ICC profiles are those for Epson and Canon printers and scanners. If you are using other printer and scanner brands and want to take advantage of using ICC profiles, you can contact the International Color Consortium directly to get one for a fee.

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Everything You Need to Know about the International Color Consortium (ICC)

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