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Avoid applying printer colour correction twice
The editing app and printer driver should have a clear colour-management role.
A print that looks unexpectedly dull or shifted may pass through two colour conversions. Check the application and printer-driver settings before changing the strip’s colour values.
Trace the output path
Colour management can happen in an image application, operating system or printer driver. If the application converts to the printer profile while the driver also applies a second correction, the resulting output may not match the intended transform.
Evidence: Imaging software documentation
Choose one owner for the conversion
Follow the printer manufacturer’s documented workflow. Either let the application manage colour with the matching output profile and disable the driver’s competing correction, or let the printer driver manage the input file as recommended. Menu names vary by printer and operating system.
Evidence: Imaging software documentation
Confirm with a controlled proof
Print one representative strip with the chosen settings and preserve the file and driver configuration. If colour changes after a driver update, recheck both places before editing the master. Keep a screen image and physical proof labelled with their viewing conditions. If two corrections are active, rerun a sample after disabling one path instead of changing the RGB values first.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- Adobe, Color-Managing Documents When Printing in PhotoshopImaging software documentation