Advanced Guide > Printing from a Computer > Printing with Other Application Software > Changing the Print Quality and Correcting Image Data > Specifying Color Correction > Optimal Photo Printing of Image Data

# Optimal Photo Printing of Image Data

When people print images taken with digital cameras, they sometimes feel that the printed color tones differ from those of actual image or those displayed on the monitor.
To get the print results as close as possible to the desired color tones, you must select a printing method that is best suited to the application software used or to your purpose.

## Color Management

Devices such as digital cameras, scanners, monitors, and printers handle color differently. Color management (color matching) is a method that manages device-dependent "colors" as a common color space. For Windows, a color management system called "ICM" is built into the operating system.
sRGB and Adobe RGB are popularly used as common color spaces. Adobe RGB has a wider color space than sRGB.

ICC profiles convert device-dependent "colors" into a common color space.
By using an ICC profile and carrying out color management, you can draw out the color space of the image data within the color reproduction area that the printer can express.

## Selecting a printing method suited to the image data

The recommended printing method depends on the color space (Adobe RGB or sRGB) of the image data or the application software to be used. There are two typical printing methods. Check the color space (Adobe RGB or sRGB) of the image data and the application software to be used, and then select the printing method suited to your purpose.

- To print using Canon Digital Photo Color

  Target data: sRGB data
  Printing method: Adjusting Colors with the Printer Driver

- To print using the color space of the data effectively

  Target data: Adobe RGB data or sRGB data
  Application software: An ICC profile can or cannot be specified.
  Printing method: Printing with ICC Profiles

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