ICC Profile

[natureimages]

I was using Imageprint Black12 till recently for my print work flow. This has custom ICC profiles and had no issues. I am contemplating to use Capture One to print as part of PP workflow. My question is how often one should update / download the ICC profile for the paper in question from the website of the paper company.

 

[Rand47]

As long as the paper manufacturer has not changed the paper in some way, and released an updated ICC profile, there’s no need. Whether to use the OEM ICC profile, or make (or have made) a custom ICC profile is another question. I used to have custom profiles made for my favorite papers. In the last few years the quality of OEM profiles has improved to the point where, in general, they are excellent. The consistency of modern printers from sample to sample, makes using stock OEM icc profiles a good way to go.

Rand

 

[natureimages]

Thanks Rand. There is no way I can know whether manufacturer has made any change to the process!!. I come from a background of managing million tests in a year in a pathology lab (retired!) and have seen these issues relating to batch to batch inconsistencies. I have decided to download in reinstall the ICC profile from the vendor whenever I get a new batch of papers!

 

[spassig]

Thanks Rand. There is no way I can know whether manufacturer has made any change to the process!!. I come from a background of managing million tests in a year in a pathology lab (retired!) and have seen these issues relating to batch to batch inconsistencies. I have decided to download in reinstall the ICC profile from the vendor whenever I get a new batch of papers!

Hi.
I don‘t understand why you do this workflow.
I think the manufacturer doesn’t generate new ICC Profile by new batch.

Jochen

 

[Rand47]

Hi.
I don‘t understand why you do this workflow.
I think the manufacturer doesn’t generate new ICC Profile by new batch.

Jochen

I “think” he’s adopting that as a strategy to just “make sure” he’s using the latest profile. I don’t think he is assuming that OEM profiles get updated regularly, or with a new production run of the paper (unless there are formula changes).

Rand

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

I doubt that paper suppliers do changes to the ICC profiles for each batch, unless there's a change of formula, something that will normally be advertised, at least by the quality suppliers. We are supposed to believe that the variations between batches are minimal. At least for Hahnemühle, which is what I'm using, that seems to be the case. Remember that they make these profiles for dozens of printers from the major brands, and not only the current models, so it's quite an undertaking.

If you want to be absolutely sure, a Spyder Print from Datacolor isn't terribly expensive (around $500 i believe), and might be worth the investment. I consider buying one for paper qualities where the supplier doesn't provide ICC profiles for my printer.

Spyder Print - Datacolor Spyder

www.datacolor.com