How do color profiles work?
Color profiles are a vital component of the color reproduction process, especially because RGB and CMYK color values assigned in Adobe graphic files hold no true color value. Colors are represented visually only after a profile has been associated. Then, the relationship between the color values and human vision can be established for a more accurate reproduction.
But there’s more to color profiles than simply prepping colors to properly display on your screen.
“Profiles don’t just prepare colors for viewing on your display but convert the colors and images in your design file to the color space of the press by modifying color curves and values,” write Gooding and Schilling.
Essentially, color profiles work in the same way as other Adobe settings — Rendering Intent is a good example. Color profiles enable the press to print to its greatest color potential relative to your chosen combination of ink, substrate, and press.
