Introduction
CMYK ICC Profiles define the color characteristics of specific printing conditions, including ink coverage limits, dot gain, paper type, and printing methods. Each profile is designed for specific printing standards and conditions.
These profiles are essential for accurate RGB to CMYK conversion. They ensure that colors are converted correctly for your specific printing conditions, whether you're printing in Europe, North America, Japan, or using international standards.
Important: Always ask your printer which profile they use. Different printers may use different profiles based on their equipment, inks, and paper types. However, standard profiles are widely used and can serve as a good starting point.
Profile Collections by Standard
FOGRA Standards (Europe)
FOGRA (Forschungsgesellschaft Druck e.V.) profiles are the standard for European printing. They define color characteristics for various printing conditions in Europe.
Common FOGRA Profiles:
- FOGRA39: ISO 12647-2:2004 / Amd 1:2007 Paper type 1, 2, 4, 5 (Coated)
- FOGRA47: ISO 12647-2:2004 / Amd 1:2007 Paper type 1, 2, 4, 5 (Coated) - Enhanced
- FOGRA51: ISO 12647-2:2004 / Amd 1:2007 Paper type 1, 2, 4, 5 (Coated) - Enhanced v2
Use cases: European printing, magazines, brochures, high-quality commercial printing
GRACoL Standards (United States)
GRACoL (General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography) profiles are the standard for commercial printing in North America. They define color characteristics for sheetfed offset printing.
Common GRACoL Profiles:
- GRACoL2006_Coated1: Coated paper, general commercial printing
- GRACoL2013_CRPC1: Coated paper, updated 2013 standard
- GRACoL2013_CRPC6: Uncoated paper, 2013 standard
Use cases: North American commercial printing, magazines, brochures, high-quality commercial printing
Japan Color (Japan)
Japan Color profiles are the standard for printing in Japan. They define color characteristics for Japanese printing conditions.
Common Japan Color Profiles:
- Japan Color 2011 Coated: Coated paper, 2011 standard
- Japan Color 2001 Coated: Coated paper, 2001 standard
- Japan Color Uncoated: Uncoated paper
Use cases: Japanese printing, magazines, brochures, commercial printing in Japan
ISO Standards (International)
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) profiles define international printing standards. They are widely used globally and provide consistent color reproduction across different regions.
Common ISO Profiles:
- ISO Coated v2 ECI: Coated paper, international standard
- ISO Coated v2 300% ECI: Coated paper, 300% ink limit
- ISO Uncoated v2 ECI: Uncoated paper, international standard
- ISO Uncoated yellowish v2 ECI: Uncoated paper, yellowish tone
Use cases: International printing, magazines, books, general commercial printing
SWOP Standards (United States)
SWOP (Specifications for Web Offset Publications) profiles are the standard for web offset printing in North America. They are commonly used for magazines and newspapers.
Common SWOP Profiles:
- SWOP2006_Coated3: Coated paper, web offset printing
- SWOP2006_Coated5: Coated paper, web offset printing (different paper type)
- SWOP2006_Uncoated: Uncoated paper, web offset printing
Use cases: North American web offset printing, magazines, newspapers, high-volume printing
Profile Selection Guide
By Region
- Europe: FOGRA or ISO Coated profiles
- North America: GRACoL (sheetfed) or SWOP (web offset)
- Japan: Japan Color profiles
- International/Unknown: ISO Coated v2 ECI
By Paper Type
- Coated paper: Use "Coated" profiles (e.g., FOGRA39, GRACoL2006_Coated1, ISO Coated v2)
- Uncoated paper: Use "Uncoated" profiles (e.g., ISO Uncoated v2, GRACoL2013_CRPC6)
- Newsprint: Use newsprint-specific profiles
By Printing Method
- Sheetfed offset: GRACoL or FOGRA profiles
- Web offset: SWOP profiles
- Digital printing: Ask your printer for specific profile
Best Practice: Always ask your printer which profile they use. They may provide a custom profile optimized for their specific equipment, inks, and paper types. This will give you the most accurate results.
Official Sources
Download profiles directly from official sources:
- ECI (European Color Initiative): Official website - ISO and FOGRA profiles
- FOGRA: Official website - FOGRA profiles
- IDEAlliance: Official website - GRACoL and SWOP profiles
- ICC: Official website - Color management resources
- Japan Color: Official website - Japan Color profiles
How to Use Downloaded Profiles
Installation Methods
Profiles need to be installed on your system before they can be used in software:
- Windows: Copy .icc files to
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\coloror right-click and select "Install Profile" - macOS: Double-click .icc files to open ColorSync Utility, then click "Install"
- Linux: Copy .icc files to
/usr/share/color/iccor~/.local/share/color/icc
Using in Software
Once installed, profiles can be used in professional software:
- Photoshop: Edit → Convert to Profile → Select profile from dropdown
- Illustrator: Edit → Color Settings → CMYK profile selection
- InDesign: Edit → Color Settings → CMYK profile selection
Using in Online Tools
On RGBtoCMYK.net, you can upload custom CMYK ICC Profiles directly:
- Select "Custom" in the CMYK ICC Profile section
- Click "Upload" to select your .icc profile file
- The profile will be used for the conversion
- Note: Profiles are only used for conversion and are not stored on our servers
Profile Information
Technical Specifications
Each profile contains technical specifications:
- Total Ink Limit (TAC): Maximum ink coverage (typically 300% or 320%)
- Dot Gain: Expected dot gain for the printing condition
- Paper Type: Coated, uncoated, newsprint, etc.
- Printing Method: Offset, digital, etc.
- White Point: D50 (5000K) for most print profiles
Compatibility
All profiles listed here are:
- ICC-compliant and compatible with all professional software
- Compatible with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, GIMP, and other color-managed software
- Compatible with RGBtoCMYK.net's conversion tool
- Free to download and use
Version Information
Profile versions may be updated periodically. Always check the official source for the latest version:
- FOGRA profiles are updated based on ISO standard revisions
- GRACoL profiles have been updated (2006 → 2013)
- ISO profiles are maintained by ECI and updated as standards evolve
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which profile should I use?
A: Always ask your printer which profile they use. If unknown, use standard profiles based on your region: FOGRA or ISO for Europe, GRACoL for North American sheetfed, SWOP for web offset, or Japan Color for Japan. See our CMYK ICC Profiles Guide for more details.
Q: Are these profiles free to use?
A: Yes, all profiles listed here are free to download and use. They are provided by official standards organizations and manufacturers.
Q: Can I use these profiles on RGBtoCMYK.net?
A: Yes, you can upload any of these profiles (or any standard ICC profile) to RGBtoCMYK.net using the "Custom" option in the CMYK ICC Profile section. RGBtoCMYK.net also has many of these profiles built-in for easy selection.
Q: What's the difference between Coated and Uncoated profiles?
A: Coated profiles are for glossy or matte coated paper, which has a smoother surface and better ink absorption. Uncoated profiles are for uncoated paper, which has a rougher surface and different ink absorption characteristics. Always use the profile that matches your paper type.