Settings in Other Applications
Color managed applications offer some type of setting for choosing an output or
printer profile. This is where you will choose your custom profile as you print. Please
note that non-color managed applications, ones that do not offer a printer profile
choice when printing, cannot be used directly with ICC printer profiles. If you use such
an application, consider alternative applications that offer color management, at least
for your printing needs. Adobe Photoshop Elements® (Mac and Windows) or ACD
PhotoCanvas® are examples of low cost applications that offer simple color
management.
Advanced Topic:
Choosing a Rendering Intent
Many applications allow a choice of rendering intents when printing. How do you
determine which intent is best for your work? With Datcolor profiles, it is
recommended for inkjet printers that you start by trying the Saturation intent. If that
is not ideal, move to Perceptual, and finally Relative Colorimetric, to test other
choices. For color lasers, photo labs and other devices, start with Relative
Colorimetric, then test Perceptual, and finally Saturation. Please keep in mind that,
with Datacolor profiles, the colors your printer can reach will print the same with any
intent. Its only the colors your printer can’t reach that will be brought into range
differently using the various intents. Here’s a quick description of each type, as built
by Datacolor:
Saturation Intent:
This intent favors color saturation over hue or lightness when
determining how to print out of gamut color; those colors that the printer can’t reach,
which must be replaced somehow with achievable colors. This intent offers the most
satisfying inkjet color in terms of keeping high color areas in your images looking like
you remember them. For smaller gamut devices, it may be more important to avoid
Hue Bias, by starting with Relative Colorimetric.
Relative Colorimetric Intent:
This intent makes the most accurate, literal, choices
for replacing out of gamut colors. It is often used for prepress and graphic design
work, for matching spot colors, and for other non-photographic work. Brilliant colors
may be significantly less saturated than with Saturation intent on inkjet printers, but
