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How to Calibrate Printers and Scanners Using ICC Printer Profiles

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By William Harrel William Harrel Writer William Harrel is a former Lifewire writer and a computer technology editor, writer, author, and instructor with over 30 years' experience. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 22, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Accessories & Hardware Printers & Scanners Guide To Buying a New Printer The Quick Guide to Webcams Keyboards & Mice Monitors Cards HDD & SSD Raspberry Pi

What to Know

Download an ICC profile. Extract it from the file you downloaded and save it.Windows: Right-click the ICC file and choose Install Profile.Mac: Copy and paste the ICC profile into the ~/Library/Colorsync/Profiles folder. This article explains how to install an ICC profile used to calibrate printers and scanners. It includes information on where to look for ICC profiles and how to select the correct one.

How to Install an ICC Profile

Calibrating a printer, scanner, or monitor properly ensures what you see on the screen is what the print looks like, and that the colors on the monitor are accurately represented on paper. An ICC profile helps with calibration. ICC profiles are a set of standards created by the International Color Consortium and are commonly used in color management. Each file is specific to a certain device and provides a way to ensure consistent color. Installing an ICC profile is simple. Finding the correct ICC profile is difficult (more on that below). After you download an ICC profile, install it in the right place. Here's how to do it on Windows and Mac: Extract the ICC profile from the .ZIP file you downloaded and save it in a place you can easily access. On a Windows computer, right-click the extracted file and choose Install Profile. This automatically saves it in the correct location. On a Mac, manually copy and paste the extracted ICC profile into the correct folder. Go to ~/Library/Colorsync/Profiles and drop it in. The folder might be hidden by default. Check out our guide on viewing hidden folders on macOS if you need help. If you want an overview of ICC color profiles, go to the International Color Consortium website. Their FAQ provides answers to common ICC-related questions about color management, color management systems, and ICC profiles. You'll also find a page on color terminology, color management, profiles, digital photography, and graphic arts. Maria Toutoudaki / Stockbyte / Getty Images

Where to Find ICC Profiles

Getting the right combination of ink plus paper plus printer settings is easier with the help of companies like Ilford and Hammermill (manufacturers of photo paper). These companies host an array of printer profiles on their official websites. You can generally find ICC profiles and other helpful things under the Support section. These ICC profiles are geared toward photo pros rather than the average user, for whom the printer's default settings (or photo settings) are enough. Ilford, for example, assumes you use Adobe Photoshop or a similar high-end photo editing program. If you're not, you can stop here and use your printing preferences. Canon lists ICC profiles for compatible third-party printers on its website along with an art paper printing guide. Brother uses Windows ICM printer profiles. Meanwhile, TFT Central offers an ICC profiles and monitor settings database that seems to be updated regularly. This subject is complicated. If you're interested in the technical side of ICC profiles, there is a free, downloadable e-book available on the ICC web site that delves into ICC profiles and their use in color management. Building ICC Profiles: The Mechanics and the Engineering includes compilable C-code that can be run on Unix and Windows operating systems. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Your Mac's Display Calibrator Assistant The Differences Between Types of Scanners How to Scan From Printer to Computer How to Install Fonts in Windows 7 How to Add a Printer to Windows 10 How to Cancel a Print Job How to Choose a Photo Scanner Latest Windows 10 Drivers (October 21, 2022) What to Consider Before Buying a New Printer How to Calibrate Your Scanner for More Accurate Scans How to Print to PDF Use a Digital Camera as a Scanner How to Add Fonts to Word How to Connect a Printer to a Laptop How to Find the Printer on Your Network in Windows 10 How to Print in Black and White on Mac Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies