Used ICC Color Profile in Preflight Report

[savvykong]

Hi, is there a way to report (Preflight Report) what ICC color profile(s) is being used in PDF's using Switch/PitStop Server? Also, how to best apply the correct color profile in PDF's, swapping out the bad ICC with the good? Color management has always been my weakest skill set.

Thank you!

[bens]

A preflight report will by default contain a "Color Information" chapter. This includes the names and colour spaces of any used ICC profile in the PDF. This chapter is controlled by the checkbox "Color" in the Preflight Profile's General tab, so make sure that is enabled.

For applying colour profiles you have a choice between tagging and converting. Tagging an object with a profile means "whatever the colour values are, interpret them with this profile". Converting means "interpret the colour values with the current profile, then convert them to match this new profile". Tagging will usually change the visual appearance, converting tries to keep the appearance (but there are a lot of other factors involved in appearance, so it's just a best effort).

You should default to converting, because that keeps the appearance as much as possible. Use tagging when you know the values are correct and need to be interpreted for your specific output device.

There is a workshop recording about colour management at https://www.enfocus.com/en/learn/pitstop#advanced

[bens]

Oh, and as a general introduction to the ideas behind colour management I always recommend this excellent article on ColorWiki: https://www.colorwiki.com/wiki/The_Color_of_Toast

[savvykong]

Thank you, bens, for this info. It's very helpful!