The Basics: What are ICC Profiles? - Fotospeed | Paper for Fine Art & Photography

Summary

In this informative video, Tim Jones from Photo Speed explores the importance of ICC profiles for achieving accurate and consistent color in printing. He explains the concept of ICC profiles, their role in color standardization set by the International Color Consortium, and the benefits of using custom profiles over generic ones. Tim also demonstrates the process of creating a custom ICC profile and shows the noticeable difference it makes in print quality, encouraging viewers to utilize Photo Speed's free custom profiling service for the best color output from their printers.

Takeaways

• 😀 ICC profiles are essential for achieving consistency between what you see on your screen and the final printout from your printer.
• 🔍 ICC stands for International Color Consortium, which was established in 1993 to standardize color for the digital age.
• 📈 ICC profiles contain data that tells the printer how to accurately reproduce colors based on pre-determined values.
• 🖨️ A custom ICC profile is recommended for the best color output from your specific printer, as it adjusts for individual printer characteristics.
• 👔 The analogy used in the video is that a custom profile is like a tailor-made suit from Savile Row, while a generic profile is like an off-the-rack suit that fits well but isn't perfect.
• 🎨 The process of creating an ICC profile involves printing a color chart without color management, then scanning it with a spectrophotometer to measure and adjust color output.
• 🆓 Photospeed offers a free custom profiling service, which only costs the user a sheet of paper to print the required chart.
• 🌐 The video mentions a discount code 'fs youtube 15' for a 15% discount on PhotoSpeed papers, and a flat rate shipping fee of $9 to North America.
• 📚 The video script provides a starting point for beginners in printing and a refresher for those who want to improve their print quality.
• 📈 The video demonstrates the difference a custom profile can make, showing more intense colors, better detail in highlights and shadows, and a closer match to the screen.
• ⚫️ While custom profiles are beneficial, the video also suggests that using the printer's built-in black and white mode can be effective and simpler.

Q & A

What are ICC profiles and why are they important for printing?

ICC profiles are data files that tell the printer how to print color to a set of pre-determined values. They are important because they provide consistency between what is displayed on the screen and what is printed, reducing frustration and ensuring accurate color representation in prints.

What is the purpose of the International Color Consortium (ICC)?

The ICC was established to standardize color for the digital age, creating a standardized version of color that devices can be calibrated and profiled to, ensuring color consistency across different devices and platforms.

Why should one consider getting a custom ICC profile from PhotoSpeed?

A custom ICC profile is tailored to an individual's specific printer and paper type, ensuring more accurate color representation than a generic profile. PhotoSpeed offers a free custom profiling service, which can significantly improve print quality.

What is the difference between a generic profile and a custom profile?

A generic profile is a one-size-fits-all profile that may not perfectly match the specific characteristics of an individual's printer and paper. A custom profile, on the other hand, is created for a specific printer and paper combination, providing a closer match to the screen colors.

How does one create an ICC profile with PhotoSpeed?

To create an ICC profile with PhotoSpeed, one needs to print a specific chart provided by PhotoSpeed without any color management applied, and then send it to PhotoSpeed. They will then use a spectrophotometer to measure the printed chart and create a custom ICC profile.

What is the significance of the standardized color range created by the ICC?

The standardized color range created by the ICC allows for a consistent way to measure and adjust color across different devices. This is crucial because color perception can vary from person to person, and standardization helps in ensuring that the color output is as intended by the creator.

How does the process of creating an ICC profile affect the final print quality?

The process of creating an ICC profile involves measuring the color output of a printer and adjusting it to match the ICC's standardized color. This results in a profile that, when applied, can produce more accurate and consistent colors in the final print.

What is the recommended way to print the chart for ICC profile creation according to the script?

The chart for ICC profile creation should be printed without any color management or ICC profile assigned to ensure that the printer's built-in color management does not interfere with the process.

How does the script differentiate between the results of using a generic profile versus a custom profile?

The script provides a comparison of prints made using both a generic and a custom profile. It notes that while the generic profile produces good results, the custom profile intensifies colors, provides more detail in highlights and shadows, and overall brings out more subtle colors.

Can ICC profiles be used for black and white printing as well?

Yes, ICC profiles can be used for black and white printing. A well-made custom profile can provide perfectly neutral black and white prints, although the script also suggests that using the printer's own black and white mode can be effective.

What discount code is offered in the script for PhotoSpeed papers?

The script offers a discount code 'fs youtube 15' which provides a 15% discount on PhotoSpeed papers purchased on photospeed.com.