Glossary · Colour management

UV printing

ICC profile

A small file that describes how a device reproduces colours. It makes printed colours look as close as possible to those on the screen.

Explained in more detail

An ICC profile maps colour values to a device-independent colour space, according to the standard of the International Color Consortium. For printing, a profile only ever applies to one combination of printer, ink, resolution, print mode and substrate, so a profile for white acrylic does not automatically suit wood. You create your own profiles by printing a test chart and measuring it with a spectrophotometer. The RIP software applies the profile during conversion. Without a suitable profile, prints often look too dark, flat or colour-tinted.

Where does the term come from?

ICC stands for International Color Consortium, an association of companies from the computer and printing industries that was founded in 1993. The consortium defined the file format for colour profiles so that devices from different manufacturers describe colours consistently.

In practice

• A printer profile applies only to one combination of ink, print mode and material; if you switch to third-party ink, you need your own profiles.
• Apply profiles in one place only: if the graphics program and the printing software both convert, the colours turn out flat or shifted.
• Without a measuring device, a self-printed colour chart for each material helps, labelled with the white setting and print mode.
• Calibrate the monitor or at least turn it down and switch off the blue light filter, otherwise prints look too dark.

Not to be confused

An ICC profile does not make a colour printable that lies outside the colour space. Neon, gold or very saturated RGB tones are only approximated with CMYK.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get ICC profiles for my UV printer?

On desktop devices they are usually built into the software, and with RIP software the manufacturer supplies profiles for common materials. You create your own profiles with a spectrophotometer and a printed test chart.

Should I set up print files in RGB or CMYK?

Both work if the chain is clean: the print or RIP software converts RGB into the printing colours via the profile. All that matters is that the conversion is not done twice.