RGB Profile Target Printing Instructions and Custom Profile Order Form

Last Updated: November 4, 2011

Overview

Getting a custom profile made is easy, but it does require following instructions carefully. Please read this document carefully and ask me (madmanchan2000@yahoo.com) if you have any questions.

I suggest that you print out this sheet, use the checklists to make sure you've completed all steps, fill out the form (step 7), and include it when you mail me the profile targets.

Step 1

First, click here to download the profile target ZIP file.
 

Step 2

Next, unzip the downloaded ZIP file. It contains two profile target images in the TIFF file format:
  • RGB 1728 Eye-One iO Target_1_2.tif
  • RGB 1728 Eye-One iO Target_2_2.tif

Step 3

Print each image on a separate sheet of letter-sized, A4, or larger sheet paper. You will need one sheet of paper per image.

You will need to print the profile target images from a software application that allows you to disable color management entirely. The easiest way to do this is with the Adobe Color Printer Utility (ACPU) software, available as a free download here:

Click here to download Adobe Color Printer Utility

Please note that ACPU should only to be used for printing profile targets, for the purposes of building profiles. ACPU should not be used to print your regular images, because it always prints without color management. Hence, if you to print your regular images with ACPU, the colors and tonality of the results will likely be quite wrong.

Please complete this checklist when printing the profile target images with ACPU:

  1. Make sure ACPU is configured to print in Landscape (not Portrait) orientation. To do this, choose "Page Setup..." from the File menu and choose the Landscape orientation option in the ensuing dialog box.

  2. Important! Disable color management in your printer driver settings (e.g., Off (No Color Adjustment)). Do not use Color Controls or ICM in the printer driver.

  3. Important! Choose the correct Media Type for your paper.

    If using OEM papers (i.e., the paper brand is the same as the printer brand), there will usually be a Media Type option in the driver that corresponds to the paper name itself (e.g., Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster). If using third-party papers, please check the instructions that came with the paper, or check the manufacturer's web site. The instructions and/or web site usually suggest an appropriate Media Type choice in the driver for the paper.

  4. Choose your desired quality/resolution (e.g., 1440 or 2880 dpi).

  5. Choose your other desired driver settings (e.g., High Speed on/off, etc.).

  6. Disable Borderless printing in the driver settings.

Step 4

After printing the profile target images (complete this checklist):
  1. Check the edges of each printed target sheet to make sure that none of the color patches are cut off. Refer to the on-screen image in ACPU if in doubt. The colors will not match (in fact, they may be very different!) but the layout should roughly match. It's fine if the printed target is not centered on the paper, as long as none of the color patches are cut off.

    This is a good time to check that you printed with the correct orientation (Landscape). If you accidentally printed in Portrait orientation, then the ends of the chart will likely be missing -- at least if you are using Letter or A4 size sheets.

  2. If you're printing from the Mac, make sure each target sheet has been printed out at the correct size, without any resizing applied. If in doubt, please use a ruler or tape measure to check the thin outer rectangle surrounding each of the two target sheets. The gray rectangle should measure exactly 7.5" x 10".

    If you're printing from Windows, note that the printed target may be slightly smaller than the original size of 7.5" x 10". That's ok. (This is a known limitation of the Windows version of ACPU.) I'll still be able to measure the targets accurately. Also note that on Windows, the printed target may not be centered on the sheet; instead, it may be offset towards one of the 4 corners of the sheet. That's also ok.

  3. Check the printed targets for artifacts (e.g., bands due to clogged nozzles). If the printouts are defective, the profiles created from them will suffer. Be sure your printer is working properly by performing nozzle cleaning and/or head alignment if necessary.

  4. Do not scratch scratch or scuff the surface of the paper.

  5. Do not write anywhere on the paper.

  6. Do not tape or glue anything to the paper.

  7. Do not fold, roll, or wrinkle the paper in any way. Doing so may lead to less accurate measurements. It is best to ship the targets flat (e.g., in a flat envelope or box).

  8. For your own records, be sure to write down your printer driver settings (or better yet, save the settings as a preset, if your printer driver offers that option) so that you can recall them later when printing using the profile. This is very important, because the profile will only give you accurate color and tones when using the exact same driver settings as used when printing the targets.

Step 5

If you are sending targets for multiple papers, be sure to indicate which paper is which (please indicate this on a separate sheet of plain paper; do not write on the printed target itself).
 

Step 6

Package the papers carefully (e.g., in a sturdy envelope or box). I do not recommend using a mailing tube, because a tube requires rolling up the papers, and the resulting curl may decrease measurement accuracy.
 

Step 7

Fill out the following order form, then copy and paste it into an email sent to me at madmanchan2000@yahoo.com. I will then email you my mailing address and also send you a PayPal invoice.

Printer model name:
Number of profiles:
Paper name(s):
Operating system and version:
Profile target application and version:
Profile Type: RGB color

Examples

Here are three examples of completed order forms.

Example 1:

Printer model name: Epson 3800
Number of profiles: 2
Paper name(s): Ilford Gold Fibre Silk, Epson Velvet Fine Art
Operating system and version: Mac OS 10.5.8
Profile target application and version: Adobe Color Printer Utility 1.0
Profile Type: RGB color

Example 2:

Printer model name: Canon iPF 5100
Number of profiles: 1
Paper name(s): Red River Arctic Polar Luster
Operating system and version: Windows XP SP3
Profile target application and version: Adobe Color Printer Utility 1.0
Profile Type: RGB color

Example 3:

Printer model name: HP B9180
Number of profiles: 1
Paper name(s): HP Smooth Fine Art
Operating system and version: Windows Vista 64-bit
Profile target application and version: Adobe Color Printer Utility 1.0
Profile Type: RGB color
 

 
That's it! Once I receive the profile target images and payment, I will create the profile and email it to you.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions.