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When you work with an image that has an embedded ColorSync or ICC
profile, ColorSync identifies the colors that your monitor or printer can
reproduce by examining their ColorSync profile. It compares their capabilities
with those of the system used to create the image (as described in the
embedded profile), and then picks appropriate, matching colors. For example,
your monitor may be able to display a vivid red, but your printer inks may not
be able to produce that color. ColorSync determines the “next best” color for
your printer to use.
ColorSync performs color matching by comparing each profile to an
independent color standard. ColorSync uses the CIE color standard, which
describes colors in terms of how they are perceived by the human eye under
specific lighting conditions. (CIE stands for the Commission International de
l’Eclairage, the International Commission on Illumination, which created the
standard in 1931.)
Setting up ColorSync
To t ake adva ntage of ColorSync, you need to obtain profiles for each of your
imaging devices, such as your monitor, scanner, and color printer. ColorSync
profiles are usually automatically installed when you install the software for a
ColorSync-supported device. Profiles are stored in the ColorSync Profiles
folder, inside the Preferences folder in the System Folder. If you need to
obtain a ColorSync profile, contact the manufacturer of your device. Ask for
either a ColorSync or ICC profile for the specific model of monitor, printer,
or scanner you’re using.
You also need to set a ColorSync System Profile for the Mac OS. The
ColorSync System Profile is used by ColorSync to determine the color range
of your monitor. ColorSync compares this information with the profiles of
your other devices to make sure that colors are consistent with what you see
on your monitor.
Additionally, the System Profile is used as a default profile if a document you
are working on doesn’t have any ColorSync information saved within it. This
can occur if the document was created without ColorSync installed. By using
the System Profile as a default, ColorSync ensures that colors are consistent
with what you currently see on your monitor.
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Using ColorSync