Labels:text | book | paper | font | handwriting | screenshot | publication | number | document OCR: Monitor calibration at PhotoDisc Step 2: Using ICC Profiles Reliable color reproduction is critical to PhotoDisc. We use the latest scanners, software and color management tools to ensure that the images you get from us are of the highest quality and that you see what the photographer intended you to see. A properly What are ICC profiles? calibrated monitor is a crucial component in this procedure, so we re-calibrate our moni- The ICC (International Color Consortium) is a group of companies that have joined forces tors weekly. to create, promote and encourage the standardization and evolution of an open, vendor- neutral, cross-platform CMS. Since its 1993 inception, the ICC has grown from 8 to more Our technicians use Barco Reference Calibrator monitors set at a color temperature of than 50 companies, including Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, Agfa, Heidelberg, Sun Micro- 5,000º Kelvin (D50), with a gamma of 1.8. We use the same color temperature to view our systems, Sony and PhotoDisc. The ICC has developed standard profiles, or device charac- transparencies that we use to analyze our proofs and printed materials. This creates terizations, that contain information about the color-reproduction capabilities of devices repeatable, consistent viewing conditions that conform with established standards in the such as scanners, digital cameras, monitors and printers. graphics industry. But even with the best viewing conditions possible, a translation must be made between light transmitted through the tube and light reflected off the printed In most instances, you'll need two profiles (source and output) for a color-matching piece. Nevertheless, we're able to accurately predict our output. Like comparing a session. These profiles allow for the vital cross-platform communication of color informa- transparency in a lightbox to a printed sheet, this process improves with practice and tion. In other words, with ICC profiles, machines of various manufactures, functions and a properly trained eye. origins speak the same color language. We want you to experience image quality the way we do. Calibrating your monitor is one The ICC's website (www.color.org) provides information about the group's current efforts, of the most significant steps you can take to increase your color-related productivity and along with current profile specifications. (See "Canned vs. custom" on p. 16 for further peace of mind. And it takes very little effort. profile sources.) 14 15
