RGB Profile Target Printing Instructions and Custom Profile Order Form

Last Updated: November 7, 2009

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. Recent versions of Photoshop (such as CS through CS4) are fine. However, do not print the profile target images from Lightroom. Once you have your custom profile, you can use it to print images from any color-managed application of your choice, including Lightroom. However, you cannot print profile target images correctly from Lightroom.

The rest of these instructions assume that you will be printing the profile target images from Photoshop.

Please complete this checklist when printing the profile target images:

  1. When opening the target files, Photoshop may ask you about a Missing Profile. If so, check the option "Leave as is (don't color manage)" and click OK.

  2. Once the target files are open in Photoshop, go to the Edit menu and choose "Assign Profile..." In the dialog box, choose "Profile: Adobe RGB (1998)", as shown below in an example screenshot:

    Note that this step must be applied separately to each of the two target images.

  3. Important! Do not resize the targets in any way. The resolution of the target files is 203.2 pixels/inch. This is intentional. Later, once you have the custom profiles and you are ready to print your real images, you are free to set the resolution however you wish. However, for the target files, leave them as-is at 203.2 pixels/inch.

  4. Important! Make sure Photoshop is configured to print in Landscape (not Portrait) orientation. To do this, choose "Page Setup..." from the File menu. Alternatively, you can do so from the Print dialog box in the next step.

  5. Important! In Photoshop's Print dialog box (or for Photoshop CS2, the "Print With Preview" dialog box):
    • Set the Color Handling popup menu to "Photoshop Manages Colors" (or, if you are using CS2, "Let Photoshop Determine Colors")
    • Set the Printer Profile popup menu to "Adobe RGB (1998)". Be careful that you do not choose "Working RGB - Adobe RGB (1998)".
    • Set the Rendering Intent popup menu to "Absolute Colorimetric".

    Click here to see an example screenshot, with important areas outlined in red.

  6. 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.

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

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

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

  10. 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 Photoshop if in doubt. The colors will not match (in fact, they may be very different) but the layout should match.

  2. 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 target. It should measure exactly 7.5" x 10".

  3. Check the printed targets for artifacts (e.g., 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:

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: Photoshop CS4

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: Photoshop CS3

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: Photoshop CS4
 

 
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.