Manage CMYK color space using ICC color profile

The CMYK color space is specifically designed for printing plates and printouts. It describes the actual ratio of different colors of ink, and is closely related to the specific equipment and consumables. As mentioned before, although the matching ratio is the same, different inks will have different colors on different papers.

To enable different devices to match each other when representing colors, a device-independent color system needs to be developed to abstract a “theoretical” color so that the colors of different devices can be compared and simulated with each other. The "theoretical" color space that is now widely used is the 1931CIE-XYZ system developed by the International Lighting Association and the CIELab system based on it. The 1931CIE-XYZ system is based on the RGB system. Using mathematical methods, three ideal primary colors are used instead of the actual three primary colors to form an ideal, device-independent color system. The formulation process is a very complex one. , mathematics, and psychology integrated engineering, we need to know is that it is by far the most widely used, relatively uniform, widest color space, device-independent color space, it is developed and recommended by the International Lighting Association (CIE), Each color value combination corresponds to a certain, device-independent color.

Use ICC color profile to manage color

Theorized color space has its own standard, uniqueness, and device independence. However, after the relationship between color and equipment is broken, the problem that the theory is divorced from the reality arises. An intermediate mechanism is needed to link the theory with practice. The ICC color profile is the link.

The ICC is an abbreviation of "International Color Consortium." It has developed a system for managing colors by establishing a device's color profile. This color profile is called the ICC Profile. Also referred to as ICC.

The ICC color profile describes which color is generated by a specific device in the standard color space, thereby completing the color space conversion - according to the numerical data of the "color profile" of each media device, the color of the image. The data is translated into "device-independent color space (currently using 1931CIE-XYZ)" from "device-related color spaces such as scanners, digital camera RGB color space, and printer CMYK color space."

Simply put, ICC is the establishment of the corresponding mechanism of color space - through the method of data operations, to find the exact location of the original color in the target color space. Establishing your own ICC file for each device is the basis for color management. However, the development of ICC files requires actual testing, and is not static, even if the same device, with the use of the environment, consumables, aging and other factors change, ICC files It also needs regular updates.