(TIP- Print this web page for easy reference.)

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Visit the Downloads Page

The first thing you need to do is visit the Downloads page, and download the TARGET IMAGE KIT, a “ZIP” file that contains two different sets of target image files, one or both of which you will need to print and send to me. A description of each target image is displayed in the table below.  The “RGB Color” target image is required for creating a custom Color profile – used for color printing, and the Advanced Black & White target image is used for creating a special B&W profile – used for black and white printing.  To read more about using an Advanced Black and White profile, visit the  Black & White Profiles  page.  If you are using Windows, the “zipped” files can be extracted using WinZip. If you are using a Mac, extract the files with Stuffit.  (If you don’t have this software, there are links below and also on the  Downloads  page that will allow you to obtain usable trial versions).

The Target Image Kit contains TIF image files, which when extracted, will install themselves automatically into separate folders on your computer, as shown in the table below.  The paper size dimensions shown in this table refer to the size of the paper you will need to feed through your printer.  Each target image is designed to print only on Letter size paper (8½ X 11 in.).  The RGB Color target image contains 1,728 unique color patches, which when printed and evaluated, will allow for the creation of a custom RGB Color printer profile.  The Advanced Black & White target image is much smaller because its range of color is restricted to shades of black and white.  It contains just 51 grayscale patches, which when printed and evaluated, will allow for the creation of a custom Advanced Black and White printer profile.

 

The next thing you need to retrieve from the Downloads page is the Adobe Color Printer Utility (ACPU).  This is a very small disposable software program that will allow you to very simply print the target image while also making sure that color management is turned off in the printing program.  Being able to do this is very important!  Because the latest releases of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom will not allow you to print without color management turned on, Adobe has come up with this easy-to-use program (ACPU) that will accomplish the task for you automatically.  While it is possible to print from other software packages with color management turned off, the Adobe Color Printer Utility is so foolproof and easy to use, I have decided to make it available for EVERYBODY to download and use for printing the target image.  Note that there are two versions of ACPU – one for Windows systems, and one for Macs (Mac OS X 10.6 and above****).  Make sure you download the appropriate version and follow the ReadMe instructions that are included with the download.  When finished printing the target image, you can delete the ACPU software.  You should have no further use for it.

****Note:  If you are using a version of Mac OS X that is older than 10.6 (Snow Leopard), the ACPU will NOT run on your Mac.  Instead, follow the instructions for printing the target image that appear on this page, listed in the menu -  If You Have A Mac.

Next, you must retrieve the PRINTER SETUP KIT — choose the appropriate file to download that most closely matches the software you use for printing.  The Printer Setup Kit provides instructions and screen shots for setting up your printer and your printing software to use with a printer profile.  It is a pretty good bet that you are using one of the programs listed below for your image printing workflow.  These are the most popular programs that allow for a color management, representing probably 90% or more of all color-managed image printing.  There is a Printer Setup Kit available on the Downloads page for each of the following software packages:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Lightroom
• Apple Aperture
• ACDSee Pro
• Adobe Photoshop Elements
• Qimage (Lite/ Pro/ Studio)
• Paint Shop Pro Photo

Download the Printer Setup Kit for the software you use, and save it to an easily accessible location on your computer.  Once again, you can use WinZip or Stuffit to extract the files contained in the ZIP file.  Here is a description of the files that are included:

• A PDF file with instructions for setting up your printer driver for printing the target image and for printing with a profile.  Read these instructions very carefully.  Properly printing the target image(s) is critical to getting the best results possible in your profile.
• A PDF file with instructions for setting up your printer for printing the special Advanced Black & White target image, and how to set-up your printer to use the Advanced Black & White profile after it has been created.
• A PDF order form and checklist. You need to print out this order form and carefully record the computer and printer settings you use to print the target image(s).  You must provide complete and accurate information if you want the best profile possible.  The checklist will help you NOT to forget anything important.
• A PDF file with instructions for setting up your printing software for printing with your profile after it is delivered to you.

You will need a program that will open PDF documents in order to open each of these files.  If you don’t have such a program, you can get Adobe Reader here (Download Adobe Reader).  Adobe Reader is free and will allow you to easily open PDF documents.  The names of all the PDF files are self-explanatory.  It should be obvious to you which file is which.

How To Obtain WinZip -or- Stuffit

The trial version of either one of these programs (WinZip for PC  -or- Stuffit for Mac) can be downloaded by clicking on one of the following links:

WinZip (download here)                 ●                Stuffit (download here)

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