Color Conversion - Xerox Fiery color server User Manual

xv Basics of color management

Color conversion

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 CMS,
the process of converting color data for a printer is the same: the CMS interprets RGB
image data according to a specified
data according to a specified
color management systems.
Input data
The source profile defines the RGB color space of the image's source—characteristics
such as the white point, gamma, and type of phosphors 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
source color space and the color 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 the
When you use these settings, you do not need to use the features of other color
management systems. Your Color Server software includes ICC profiles for use with
other color management systems, if you choose to use them, 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 will print on an offset
press. The Color Server simulation feature is described in the
source profile and adjusts both RGB and CMYK
output profile, also called a destination profile by some
Source Output
profile profile
Device-independent
color space
Printed data or file
Color Guide).
Color Guide.