Page 127 - Graphic Design and Print Production Fundamentals

Graphic Design 115
(RGB or CMYK). You can think of the source profile as the colour reference or the place from which our
desired colour appearance comes. The destination profile describes the location where we are producing
colour in the current pairing of devices. If we want a proofer to simulate the colour behaviour of a
particular press, the press’s profile is the source (the desired colour behaviour) and the profile for the
proofer is the destination (our colour output).

Do not confuse a profile’s class with its function; they are independent and separate characteristics. A
particular output profile can assume the function of source in one colour equation and then turn around
and assume the role of destination in a second. Take the example of the press above, where the press
profile acted as the source. If we have multiple presses in the printing plant, and we have another press
that is our master press for colour behaviour, the press profile that acted as a source for the proofer output
will now function as a destination profile to align that press to the colour behaviour of the master press
(the master press profile is the source profile in this pairing).
Profiles enable the two key processes of any colour managed workflow: clear communication of colour
meaning and the transformation of device values to maintain colour appearance.