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To create successful color documents and presentations, you can take advantage of the features 
of color management software as they are implemented by the Color Server and on your 
desktop computer. This chapter is devoted to various elements of color management that 
contribute to predictable color results.

A 

 is a “translator” between the 

 of the source 

device (for example, the monitor or a scanner) and the color space of the destination device 
(for example, the printer). It compares the color space in which the source image was created 
to the color space in which the job will be output, and adjusts the colors in the document to 
maintain consistency across different devices. A CMS typically uses a device-independent 
color space, such as CIELAB, as its intermediate color space. To perform its translation, a 
CMS needs information about the color space of the source image and the 

 of the 

printer. This information is provided through 

, often created by the makers of the 

computer monitor or printer. The end product of a CMS conversion is a printed document 
or an image file in the gamut of a particular printer.

There has been progress toward standardization in the field of digital color management 
systems. Both the Windows and Mac OS operating systems support an industry standard 
format developed by the International Color Consortium (ICC). This ICC format is 
implemented on Windows computers and on Mac OS computers. Other software developers 
are also incorporating color management systems into high-end applications. 
The Color Server color management system, 

, supports this standard profile 

format.

Before you can print a color document, the color data in it must be converted to the gamut of 
the printer. Whether performed by the Color Server or a host-based 

, the process of 

converting color data for a printer is the same: the CMS interprets 

 image data according 

to a specified 

 and adjusts both RGB and CMYK data according to a specified 

, also called a destination profile by some color management systems.

The source profile defines the RGB color space of the image’s source: characteristics such as 
the 

 used. The output profile defines the 

gamut of an output device, such as a printer. The Color Server (or the host-based CMS) uses 
a device-independent color space to translate between the 

space of the output device.

The Color Server allows you to specify default and override settings for the source color space 
information and the output profile information (see 

). When you use these 

settings, there is no need to use the features of other color management systems. Your 
Color Server software includes 

 for use with other color management systems, 

although conflicts may arise when the Color Server CMS is used in conjunction with a host 
CMS.

You can also use color management systems to adjust color data to the gamut of an output 
device other than the one to which you are printing. This process of simulating another 
output device is commonly used for proofing jobs that are printed on an offset press. For 
more information about the Color Server simulation feature, see 

.

The type of print job and the final output device, Color Server or offset press, determines the 
workflow that provides the best results. For information about choosing workflows, see 

The Color Server color management system, 

 is designed to provide both casual 

and expert users the best color output for a variety of purposes. Several applications also 
provide their own color management system. This manual describes how to optimize print 
output using both ColorWise color management and application color management.

The Color Server can intelligently manage the printed appearance of 

. You can allow the Color Server to manage color for most color printing jobs without 

adjusting any settings.

A desktop (host-based) color management system uses 

 to convert colors from 

 on page 73). The color data is 

converted when it passes from one application to another or when the job is sent to the 
printer; thus, the processing occurs on your computer, as opposed to the Color Server.

Conventional color management systems typically address only color conversions, and they 
occupy your computer processor. When you use ColorWise, jobs leave your computer and are 
processed faster on the Color Server.

The advantages to ColorWise color management versus desktop (application) color 
management include the following:

• Relieving your computer from performing additional processing. Delaying color 

conversions until the color data reaches the Color Server frees your computer so that you 
can continue working, and color conversions on the Color Server are, in most cases, much 
faster than similar conversions on a host computer.

• Eliminating the potential for undesirable color management-related conflicts, such as 

iterative color conversions and inconsistent color. The Color Server applies global 
corrections to specific groups of RGB, CMYK, and spot colors to avoid such conflicts.

• Accepting RGB files in addition to larger CMYK files from applications, which minimizes 

network traffic and enables jobs to print faster.

ColorWise uses ICC profiles to convert colors to the device gamut or simulate other devices, 
such as an offset printing press. ColorWise manages color conversions for all users printing to 
the Color Server from Windows and Mac OS computers. It allows users to follow a simple 
workflow with minimal intervention using robust default settings, while giving advanced 
users the control and precision they need.

Your Color Server user software includes several types of color reference pages that allow you 
to see the range of colors that can be printed on your printer. For predictable color, use the 
color reference pages when defining the colors in your document.

The resources available are as follows: 

: A Microsoft Word file and a Microsoft PowerPoint file that allow you 

to view the colors available in the standard palettes of office applications and to see how those 
colors print on the Color Server (see 

: An 11-page downloadable PostScript file of CMYK color patches (see 

: A 19-page downloadable PostScript 

file of color patches showing CMYK equivalents of PANTONE Coated colors. This file prints 
differently depending on the setting of the Spot Color Matching option (see 

In addition, you can print RGB, CMY, and PANTONE color charts from the Color Server.