|
|
|
| Color Management Systems |
| Device Profiles |
A color management system must have available to it the characteristics of each device in the production process, namely their color "behaviors" and color gamuts. It gets this information from files called device profiles. A device profile enables the CMS to convert between a device's native color space and a device-independent reference color space (i.e., CIELAB or CIEXYZ).
Each device in the production system has its own device profile, either provided as part of the CMS, available from the device's manufacturer, or included with third party hardware, software, or both. The CMS uses these profiles to convert one device-dependent color space into the device-independent reference color space and then to a second device-dependent color space:
Device profiles characterize a particular device by describing the characteristics of the color space for that device in a particular state. Some devices have only one profile (for example, a monitor). Others, like printers, may have several since any changes to the printer state need to be accounted for in a separate profile.
Profiles can also be embedded within image files. Embedded profiles allow for the automatic interpretation of color information as the color image is transferred from one device to another.
Device profiles are divided into three classifications:
| 1. |
|
Input profiles for devices such as scanners and digital cameras (also known as source profiles). |
|
| 2. |
|
Display profiles for devices such as monitors and flat panel screens. |
|
| 3. |
|
Output profiles for devices such as printers, copiers, film recorders, and printing presses (also known as destination profiles). |
|
|
