Frequently Asked Questions

Which Custom Printer Profile is right for my printer?

The Standard RGB profile is suitable for most standard (i.e. non Photo) desktop colour printers that are used mainly for documents and graphics, but occasionally used for photographs.

The Comprehensive RGB profile is more suitable for Dye-Sublimation printers and Photo Inkjet printers where colour accuracy is more important, or black and white images are often printed from an RGB source.

Why choose an RGB profile when my printer uses CMYK inks?

For most desktop printers an RGB profile is the best choice because the printer driver requires RGB data. You would only need a CMYK profile if you printer was driven through a RIP.

What is involved in Profiling my printer?

First, you will need to download and expand the correct Patches.zip file. Then choose which printer/paper/ink you require and print the patches on your chosen photo paper using your preferred settings. Allow the prints to dry overnight, carefully inspect the print for damage, if they are OK post them off to us in a stiff A4 envelope. We will analyse the prints and generate a custom icc profile for your printer/ink/paper combination. The profile is checked and once we are satisfied with the result, the profile will be emailed to you asap. Full instructions are included in the download file.

Why do I need a Custom Printer Profile?

If you use an Epson printer with Epson inks and print on Epson paper, or a Canon printer, Canon inks on Canon paper, then chances are you possibly don’t need a custom profile. The ‘canned’ profiles supplied by most manufacturers (both on their website and at the time of printer installation) are usually good enough for most people.

The problem arises when you want to move away from what the manufacturers expect, if you want to print on different substrates (papers), or use third party inks such as Lyson inks, the ‘canned’ profiles are no longer valid.

Each substrate reacts to ink differently, so Epson inks printed on Ilford paper would give less predictable results. If you use Lyson inks and Ilford paper on a Canon printer again you would definitely need a custom profile to know how your final print will look.

A custom profile can be an improvement over the standard manufacturers profiles if you are struggling to achieve top class results.

I don't have a calibrated monitor, how can I benefit from a Custom Printer Profile?

You can print the test image following the correct procedure using a custom printer profile, then use the monitor controls and system software to visually adjust your monitor to closely match the test print.

If you are not dealing with colour critical documents and images this can save you the expense of a hardware calibration device

How long will my Custom Printer Profile last?

Your custom profile will be valid as long as you print the same way using the same substrate and inks. Your printer may wear over time, so we suggest making a test print with your new profile as soon as you install it. Mark the date on the print and store it in a light tight box, then make a duplicate print once or twice a year and compare it with the original.

Will my Custom Printer Profile work on another printer?

Yes BUT, it's highly unlikely that you will see the same results. Two identical printers of the same brand will normally display different characteristics, mainly due to manufacturing tolerances. Different models will always give different results. The custom profile will be specific to the printer/paper/ink and conditions used at the time of the test print.

Where can I learn more about colour management?

There are some very well written and useful books, but it isn't a subject to take lightly. Follow the links on the Colour Management Page to read more about the books on Amazon.