Digital booths
Diagnose a photo strip that changes colour when opened elsewhere
The receiving app may guess how to interpret untagged RGB values.
A strip can look different in an editor, browser and phone gallery even though the pixel values are unchanged. Check whether the file carries a colour profile before editing the colours themselves.
Inspect profile metadata
Image files may carry embedded ICC profile information, but formats and export settings differ. If a file lacks a profile, an application may interpret its values using a default working space. Check the document profile in the source application.
Evidence: Imaging software documentation
Create a tagged share copy
Convert a known source to the intended delivery space and embed its profile when the format supports it. For general sharing, sRGB is commonly supported. Do not assign a new profile to unknown values as a shortcut to make the preview look right.
Evidence: Imaging software documentation
Compare actual files
Open the original and received copy in a colour-managed viewer and check metadata as well as appearance. Messaging services may recompress or strip metadata. Keep the source master so you can make a fresh tagged export rather than repeatedly repairing a degraded copy.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- Adobe, Embed Color Profiles in PhotoshopImaging software documentation