i1Pro

The i1Pro is a handheld spectrophotometer developed by GretagMacbeth and later marketed by X-Rite. It is designed for professional color management, enabling accurate measurement of color patches on a variety of materials to support the creation of device ICC profiles and repeatable color workflows. The instrument is intended for use in print, packaging, photography, and design environments where consistent color reproduction is critical.

Functionally, the i1Pro measures the spectral reflectance of samples and converts it into standard colorimetric values such as CIE L*a*b*, XYZ, and perceptual color data. It supports reflective measurements of printed proofs, swatches, textiles, and other color surfaces, as well as transmissive measurements for backlit materials. The device is used with color-management software to produce printer profiles, monitor and projector calibrations, and to characterize scanners and cameras in some workflows.

Typical workflow involves calibrating the device with a white reference tile, measuring color targets or individual patches, and then generating ICC profiles via accompanying software. It is commonly paired with X-Rite software such as i1Profiler, i1Match, or related tooling, enabling users to manage color across devices and reproduce consistent results across print and digital media. The i1Pro is valued for its portability, spectral data capture capabilities, and alignment with established color-management standards.

Since its introduction, the i1Pro has been superseded in part by newer models (for example, i1Pro 2 and i1Pro 3) featuring improved accuracy and faster measurement, but remains in use within many professional workflows where existing profiles and compatibility are prioritized.