• Give the preview profile a meaningful name. In the example shown below I have chosen Epson R2400 Premium Glossy_RC to signify that the profile is for the Epson 2400 printer when using Epson Premium Glossy paper. The RC extension denotes that proofing profile corresponds to the Relative Colorimetric Intent.

 

 

• Click OK and return to the Proof Setup menu. Notice that the new proofing profile has been added to the bottom of the list.

 

 

• It's probably best that you create all of your proofing profiles in one batch so that they'll be available when you need them.

Stage 2 - Creating the Reference Image

We begin this stage by opening the image that we intend to print. The example shown below has highly saturated reds that are particularly difficult to render correctly on all but very high gloss media.

Original Image

 

• Select Duplicate from the Image menu and align the two images so that both appear on screen together.
• Select the original image.
• Select View > Proof Setup > Custom from the View menu.
• Choose the soft proofing profile from the list.
• Select Proof Colors form the View menu.

 

 

 

Bruce Fraser suggests that you wish to temporarily look away from the monitor when setting Paper White to ON. This means that you don't see the very dramatic change in image appearance that occurs when this option is activated. The shift typically results in washed out shadows and compressed highlights when compared to the non-proofed version. By temporarily looking away from the monitor you're allowing your eyes to adapt to the change. In theory, the Simulate: Paper White and Ink Black options will take into account the limitations of the black ink and the brightness of paper white. However, depending upon the quality of the profiles theory and reality can be very different. Some profiles may not even allow the selection of the Paper White checkbox, although you shouldn't worry if it isn't an option.

 

You will likely notice that the original image shows a change relative to the duplicate. Examples of the changes that can occur include the image, depending upon the profile being used, becoming flat lacking contrast and/or saturation or hue shifts. It may even take on a colour cast. Each image will react differently. Although not obvious in the screen shot I find that in the example shown below the red in the shadow area (shown inside yellow boundary) of the boat darkens significantly, the remainder of the image changes very little.

 

 

Photoshop is giving us a very useful message with the soft proof preview. If all has been configured correctly and the media profiles being used are accurate, we should see how the dynamic range and colour gamut of the image is going to be compressed when printed.

Actually, with profiles for matt papers the change can be very dramatic. Many have balked at this point and gave up thinking that something was drastically wrong with their media profiles. Certainly, the Epson media profiles will tend to show less than ideal results with images containing saturated greens and blues.