Thursday, August 1, 2019

Output Color Management

In order to produce the most accurate color and contrast for output, whether for print or for web, it is important to be viewing images in the correct proof setup. An ICC profile (developed by the International Color Consortium) is used to provide an accurate description of the characteristics of a digital device or working color space, allowing the computer screen, printer, and paper to be in "agreement" with one another to reproduce accurate colors for output. 

Follow these steps:

1.) download the correct ICC profile for your printer and paper type (the ICC profiles can be found on the website of the paper manufacturer) - each different paper will have a different, specific ICC profile for your printer model; i.e., Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper will have a different ICC profile than Hahnemuhle Baryta paper than Hahnemuhle canvas, and so on

2.) install the ICC profiles in the Profiles folder which is inside the Color Sync folder which is inside the Library folder

3.) after you have made your corrections and adjustments in Camera RAW, open the image in Photoshop, go to View, pull down to Proof Setup, and across to Custom

4.) locate the correct ICC profile inside the Custom drop down menu in the Device to Simulate menu - be sure to choose Perceptual and Black Point Compensation

5.) go back to View and click on Gamut Warning
 
(above) the neon green area shows an out-of-gamut warning

6.) If your image is out-of-gamut, you may need to:
      a.) adjust the contrast using a Curves or Levels adjustment layer
      b.) adjust an out-of-gamut color by using an HSL adjustment layer

7.) once you have made your adjustment(s), you can be assured of having a much better reproduction either onscreen or on paper

NOTE 01: to check the gamut on images going to the web, select sRGB IEC61966-2.1 as the Device to Simulate

NOTE 02: to change the color of the gamut warning (default is grey)
      a.) go to Photoshop, pull down to Preferences and across to Transparency & Gamut
      b.) click on the Gamut Warning Color: square and choose the color you wish to use