2
2-5
Basics of color management
Color conversion
Before a color document can be printed, the color data in it must be converted to the
color space and gamut of the print device. Whether performed by DocuColor 40 CP
color management or by an ICC CMS, the process of converting color data for a print
device is the same: the CMS interprets RGB image data according to a specified source
profile and adjusts both RGB and CMYK data according to a specified target profile.
The source profile defines the RGB color space characteristics of the image’s source—
characteristics such as the white point, the gamma, and the type of phosphors used.
The target profile defines the color space characteristics and gamut of the target print
device. The DocuColor 40 CP (or the ICC CMS) uses a device-independent color
standard to translate between the source color space and the target color space.
The DocuColor 40 CP allows you to specify default and override settings for the
source color space information and the target profile information (see
“DocuColor 40 CP color management” on page 2-6). When you use these settings,
you do not need to use the features of other color management systems. Your
DocuColor 40 CP user software includes ICC profiles for use with other color
management systems if you choose to use them.
Color management systems can also be used to adjust color data to conform to the
gamut of a print device other than the one to which you are printing. This process of
simulating another print device is commonly used for proofing jobs that will print on
an offset press. The DocuColor 40 CP simulation feature is described on page 2-10.
Device-independent
color standard
Input data
Printed data or file
Color management system
Source
profile
Target
profile
