Operation Manual

Understanding ColorSync Utility
ColorSync Utility is the color management system used by Mac OS X. ColorSync is
completely integrated with Mac OS X and available to all native Mac OS X applications,
including Aperture. ColorSync is used to manage accurate color, from image acquisition
to image manipulation and display to publishing. ColorSync is used consistently by all
devices and applications in your workflow.
What Is a Device Profile?
ColorSync and other color management systems use device profiles to identify and transfer
color data from one device-dependent color space, such as a camera, to another
device-dependent color space, such as a printer. Device profiles contain data about the
unique color characteristics of a device. A device’s profile includes information about its
gamut, color space, colorants, and modes of operation.
Many types of hardware and software have generic ICC profiles available in ColorSync
Utility. You can also use ColorSync Utility and a color measurement device, such as a
spectrophotometer, to accurately create your own custom device profile. When you
profile a color device, an ICC profile is created and placed in
/Users/username/Library/ColorSync/Profiles/.
A custom device profile
for a printer
861Appendix A Calibrating Your Aperture System