Understanding Color Management

This unique text provides an in-depth description of International Color Consortium (ICC) color management what it is, how it works, and how to use it. Operating a color-managed system has remained a mystery . . . until now!

Fresh from developing color algorithms for FujiFilm, author Dr. Abhay Sharma shifts focus to teach readers how to display digital photos and scanned images on screen or over the Internet, and print them to inkjet and other color proofing devices. The book explains the basics of color science and color measurement and includes an in-depth look at the content and structure of ICC profiles.

This excellent resource fills a gap for this industry, providing much-needed information that is up-to-date and easy to apply

An entire chapter details proven methods for calculating the accuracy of brand name monitor, scanner, and printer profiles

Includes set-up and use of color management in Photoshop 7

Discussion of color measuring instruments includes overview of each technology, revealing why some are better than others

Updated to include Version 4.0 ICC profiles and color management in OS X

Read the Foreword:

Color management allows users to control and adjust color when images are reproduced on different devices and media. Thus, its importance grows in many industries. The explosion in the volume of color reproduction, and, more importantly, the number of people actually reproducing color images in a variety of media, is one, but not the only, reason for its importance. The increasing demand to simplify color-reproduction processes will certainly make those processes more available, with minimal training, to those who need them. It will also increase productivity and automation in industries with color-reproduction experience, such as printing and publishing. Traditional methods of color reproduction, which required some degree of skill to achieve high quality, have not been completely replaced - and probably never will be. However, relatively unskilled users can significantly improve the quality of reproduction by applying color management. Likewise, the productivity of skilled users can be significantly enhanced.

Unfortunately, color management is not a trivial subject to understand. Color management is usually based on profiles that conform to the internationally accepted ICC profile specification. Therefore, it relies on fairly advanced color science and imaging concepts. Furthermore, it depends on understanding how to control the various devices involved in color reproduction. This makes it difficult for an unskilled person who wishes to understand how color management works (and what to do if it seems to go wrong) to easily find the necessary information. Various papers can be found on the topic (such as on the ICC web site), but such papers either superficially cover the topic, or only cover a specific aspect. For those without the color science and imaging skills, more is required if they want to understand the subject enough to decide what is needed in order to improve their color-reproduction quality and consistency.

This book presents a fairly complex subject in a way understandable to those looking for a sound introduction to the subject. It should appeal to students and those working casually or professionally in color reproduction. The introduction to the “science” of color reproduction is not overly complex, and the discussion on its practice is practical. Useful hints on resolving problems are included. As such, the book will be valuable to all new users and to those who wish to extend their knowledge by investigating the theory of color science and imaging in depth. Having spent over thirty years in this work, I consider color reproduction fascinating and recommend it as an enjoyable career. This book will provide an excellent first step along that path.

Tony Johnson
London College of Printing
ICC Technical Secretary

Table of Contents:

Foreword

CHAPTERS

1) Introduction

2) Color & Vision

3) Color by Numbers

4) Measuring Instruments

5) Inside Profiles

6) Scanner and Camera Profiles

7) Monitor Profiles

8) Press and Printer Profiles