What Is ICM on Your Printer?
Color printers print images differently, even if it is the same image. A color graphic printed on one printer might look slightly different printed on another printer, due to different color settings, ink and other printer characteristics. ICM, or Image Color Management, refers to how your computer prints colors.
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Driver
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ICM is a driver installed on your computer that is used by your printer. The driver is often installed automatically when you connect the printer to the computer and the computer recognizes the printer to install or run the printer settings. It is stored in the Drivers folder on your machine. For example, it might be installed in this location by default: x:\driver\ps\icm (where "x" represents the CD-ROM computer letter). Different printers might install it elsewhere.
ICM Profiles
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ICM drivers come with different color profiles. These profiles allow you to designate certain color settings for your printer. For example, a Brother printer has an ICM driver that comes with two different ICM color profiles to use. You can also create your own ICM color profiles by buying a color calibration device. Using different ICM color profiles can slightly or drastically alter how printed colors look, depending on the profile you choose. Most default profiles tell the printer to print colors as you would expect them to look.
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Profiles to Match Your Equipment
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It is imperative that the ICM color profiles you use match your computer equipment. The profile must be compatible with your printer, ink and paper. If not, the profile will not print the colors as designated by the profile, or won't print at all in some cases. Consult your printer manufacturer or store where you bought it for more information about what profiles work with your equipment. Premade profiles for various equipment combinations are for sale online.
Why Use ICM Profiles
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ICM profiles are unnecessary for casual or everyday computer uses, such as printing documents or images at home. They are mostly used by graphic artists or graphic designers who need specific color tones and profiles for their work or art. If you are serious about graphics, or are curious about ICM profiles, then you can search for and install different ICM profiles, or create your own. Otherwise, the default printer settings should do just fine for you.
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References
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