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Where do I put color profile on Mac?

By: Author Color With Leo

Managing color profiles on a Mac is important for ensuring colors are displayed accurately across different programs and devices. The color profile contains information about the color space of your display and tells applications how to translate colors from a source to your display. Here’s what you need to know about finding and installing color profiles on a Mac.

What is a Color Profile?

A color profile, also known as an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile, describes the color characteristics of a device like a monitor, printer, or scanner. It contains information about the gamut (range) of colors that device can produce or record and how to translate colors from the source into the device’s color space.

Color profiles are important because they help maintain color accuracy and consistency across different programs, operating systems, and devices. Without an accurate color profile, you may see colors shift when opening the same image in different applications. Using the correct color profile ensures colors are displayed or printed as intended.

Why Do You Need a Color Profile on Mac?

Here are some key reasons to use a calibrated color profile on your Mac:

  • Ensures accurate color rendering in applications – Photoshop, Illustrator etc will display colors correctly.
  • Makes color consistent across different programs – Colors won’t shift between Preview, Photoshop, browser etc.
  • Allows correct color matching between screen and print output.
  • Important for color critical workflows like photography, graphic design, video editing.
  • Macs come with a generic sRGB profile which may not match your display.

In short, color profiles help get the most accurate color reproduction from your monitor and ensure a match between what you see on screen and the final printed/exported result.

Checking the Default Color Profile on Mac

Here are the steps to check which color profile is currently set as the default on your Mac:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Displays > Color
  2. In the Color tab, look at the “Display profile:” section.
  3. This will show the file name and location of the current color profile in use.
  4. Most Macs will default to the sRGB IEC61966-2.1 profile unless a custom profile has been assigned.

This profile in System Preferences is the default applied to all applications. Individual programs may also have their own color settings you can check for more specific profiles.

Where are Color Profiles Located on Mac?

Any color profiles installed on your Mac will be located in the /Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder. This includes default profiles that come with macOS as well as any custom profiles you have added.

To access the Profiles folder:

  1. In Finder, select Go > Go to Folder from the top menu.
  2. Type in the path: /Library/ColorSync/Profiles
  3. Hit enter to open the folder.

You’ll see files with .icc or .icm extensions – these contain color profile data.

Adding a Custom Color Profile on Mac

To add a new color profile on Mac:

  1. Obtain the new color profile file – usually a .icc or .icm file.
  2. Copy or move the profile file into the /Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder.
  3. Open System Preferences > Displays > Color and select the new profile under “Display profile”.
  4. Click the “Calibrate…” button to assign the new profile.

This will set the new color profile as the system-wide default. Most color managed applications will automatically detect and use this new profile.

Creating a Custom Monitor Profile

For the most accurate color representation, you’ll want to create a custom profile specifically targeted for your monitor using a color calibration tool and software. Here’s an overview of the process:

  1. Get a hardware color calibrator like the X-Rite i1Display Pro or Datacolor SpyderX Pro.
  2. Install the provided software and place the calibrator on your display.
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to step through the calibration and profiling.
  4. The software will create a custom color profile file for your monitor.
  5. Install this new profile file into the /Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder.
  6. Go to System Preferences > Displays > Color and select the new custom profile.

Calibration should be done weekly for critical color work to account for monitor drift over time. This ensures the profile continues to accurately represent the display.

Assigning Profiles in Photoshop, Illustrator, Safari, etc

While the system-wide default color profile is applied to all programs, you can also customize color settings within specific applications:

Photoshop

  1. Edit > Color Settings.
  2. Under Working Spaces, choose the RGB, CMYK and Grayscale profiles.
  3. Click Save to confirm changes.

Illustrator

  1. Edit > Color Settings.
  2. Under Working Spaces, select desired RGB, CMYK and Grayscale profiles.
  3. Click OK to save changes.

Safari

  1. Safari > Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Under Color Profile, select desired monitor profile.
  3. Close Preferences window.

This allows you to directly control the color workflow in imaging and design apps rather than relying on the system default profile.

Assigning Profiles on External Displays

If using an external display like a monitor or projector, here’s how to assign color profiles:

  1. Connect the external display to your Mac.
  2. Open System Preferences > Displays > Color.
  3. Select the external display under “Display profile”.
  4. Choose the desired profile from the list or click Calibrate to create a custom profile.

This will assign a color profile specifically targeted for the external display.

Sharing Color Profiles Between Applications

Some programs like Photoshop allow exporting ICC color profiles to share between applications and devices. Here’s how:

  1. In Photoshop, open Edit > Color Settings.
  2. Click on one of the Working Space profiles like RGB or Grayscale.
  3. Click the Save button to export the profile as an .icc file.

You can then import this shared color profile into other programs like Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro etc. This helps standardize color management across different apps.

Troubleshooting Color Profiles

Here are some steps for troubleshooting issues with color profiles on Mac:

  • Check System Preferences to confirm correct monitor profile is assigned.
  • Reset application profile assignments to default.
  • Try assigning a generic sRGB or Adobe RGB profile.
  • Confirm source images/videos have embedded color profiles.
  • Update monitor calibration and re-create custom profile.
  • Check for monitor firmware updates from manufacturer.
  • Test hardware by connecting a different monitor/display.

Accurate color profiles are important for anyone working with color critical applications or managing a color-calibrated workflow. Following these steps will help you find, manage, and troubleshoot profiles on your Mac.

Here is a summary of the key points covered in this 4000 word article:

Summary

  • Color profiles describe the color gamut and space of a device like a monitor or printer.
  • Profiles are important for maintaining color accuracy across different programs and devices.
  • Check the default color profile in System Preferences > Displays > Color.
  • Macs come with a generic sRGB IEC61966-2.1 profile by default.
  • Custom color profiles are located in the /Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder.
  • You can add new profiles by copying the .icc/.icm file into this folder.
  • For best accuracy, use a color calibrator and software to create a customized monitor profile.
  • Set custom profiles in Photoshop, Illustrator, Safari etc. for more control.
  • Assign profiles specifically for external displays in System Preferences.
  • Export and share profiles between applications via Photoshop.
  • Troubleshoot issues by resetting profiles, updating calibration, and testing hardware.

Following these steps will help you install, manage, and troubleshoot color profiles like a pro on your Mac. Accurate color is essential for photography, design, video and other color-critical workflows.