What does Color Management do

[kappshot]

After struggling with various combinations of Paint Shop color settings, and .ICM file selections, to get correct color at the printer, I un-checked "Enable Color Management" on the Color Management screen. Then the color was rendered correctly on the print.

So what does Enabling / Disabling Color Management do? That is, what is correspondingly happening or not happening in the system?

Thanks,

Brian

[brucet]

No idea. As far as I'm concerned PSP's colour management has always been broken. I turn it off. Then use QImage to handle colour management and printing. After years of frustration that's as close as I can get. Keep in mind that all colour management is subject to many variables. Getting an exact reproduction on paper is all but impossible IHMO. But you can get close.

regards

[kappshot]

I may also do what I did with a prior printer; order a professionally custom made .icm file. I got that from here http://www.rpimaging.com/. Unless I find that with this new printer, just leaving the PSP color management turned off is generally good. (I posted after working with one particular image).

Will have to check out what QImage is also.

Thanks.

[brucet]

I find that QImage handles profiles excellently. I mostly use Moab paper and simply down load their profiles for my paper/printer combination. No need for custom/expensive profiles.
Colour management??? I simply loaded Moab paper. Installed their profile and printed. Then holding the print up to the monitor adjusted the monitor settings. Save the results. From that day on my prints have matched what I see on my monitor. Yup I work backwards!!
I've never had success with all the fancy calibrators. Keep in mind though that time of day affects what you see. Reflective light off the paper and back lit view on the monitor.
IMHO 100% accuracy is non existent due to the many changing variable. But you can get close.

regards

[kappshot]

Thanks. I looked at QImage some and will look at some of the videos to get more idea of what it does. Off hand I'd like to try it. I am a photography hobbyist. Printing outcome has been the most frustrating aspect of the digital dark room, at times.

[df]

PSP's color management was there to help correct what you couldn't with your monitor/video card/video driver software on the monitor end of things. That was useful back when CRTs were everywhere and none of them matched even themselves for color accuracy. But now most monitors are pretty darned close out of the box, and most people use a color calibration tool to tweak it in line. So unless you have a pretty antiquated machine I'd say just turn color management off.

[brucet]

Over the years I've spent hours punching and slapping my computer, monitor and printer. Rather a lot of naughty words as well!!! I read everything I could on the subject. What most 'experts' never discuss are the 'variables'. For sure under 'perfect' conditions you can get everything to match. Monitor and print. BUT and it's a huge BUT. But you can match monitor and printer in your room at 10am in the morning. That afternoon or evening the room light has changed. So has your calibrations and thus your color management. So what do you do? Well I make a habit of doing all my final fine tuning in the evening when I have consistent room lighting. If I'm doing multiple copies once I've done the first one and I'm happy with it then I can print additional copies at anytime knowing they will be the same.
BUT here comes the problem. You have back lit monitors and reflective paper. So they will always, always, I'll repeat, always, give off different results subject to their surroundings. Ah yes then there's just one other minor issue. Where is the resulting print going to be displayed? In a dark room with constant lighting? Or in a room that is subject to natural light during the day and artificial light at night? So you see, if you are like me, you are like the proverbial dog chasing it's tail. You won't ever catch it.
My advice is to get it as close as 'reasonably' possible and be happy with that. Use the best software you can that will interpret your colors as you want them to be. Sorry but PSP isn't one of them. QImage's 'soft proof' is the closest I have found.
I sell many prints in museums. In my studio I'm happy with the prints. In the museum stores they look great. But I have no idea or control over how those prints will be displayed by the purchasers. Color management is a compromise.

regards

[kappshot]

Thanks all for the helpful thoughts.

I think I'll get a different hobby now....

Just kidding! This is very helpful.