Fargeprofilen

Fargeprofilen, or color profile, is a data file that describes how colors are represented in a device or within a color space. It is used in color management to ensure a consistent color experience across devices such as monitors, cameras, scanners, and printers.

A profile maps device-referenced color values to a device-independent color space, commonly CIE XYZ or CIELAB. It defines the color primaries, a white point, and transfer characteristics (gamma), and may include metadata about the color space and viewing conditions. This enables accurate color conversions between different devices and workflows.

The most common format is the ICC profile, standardized by the International Color Consortium. Profiles can be device profiles (for monitors, printers, scanners), working color spaces (such as sRGB, Adobe RGB, or ProPhoto RGB), or device link profiles that optimize color conversion between specific pairs of devices.

When converting colors between profiles, rendering intents guide how out-of-gamut colors are handled. Typical intents include perceptual, relative colorimetric, absolute colorimetric, and saturation. Soft proofing can simulate how colors will appear when printed using a particular printer and paper profile, helping to anticipate results before production.

Applications of fargeprofilen span photography, design, and publishing, providing a foundation for color consistency across devices and media. The effectiveness of a color profile depends on accurate calibration, consistent viewing conditions, and up-to-date device profiles, with challenges arising from device variability and aging.