sRGB or CMYK: which file should you send a printer?

The ICC publishes sRGB profiles, including a version 2 profile (sRGB2014) and newer version 4 profiles [1]. The ICC FAQ points to the international standard IEC 61966-2-1 as the official specification for sRGB [2].

Datacolor describes sRGB as a working space, not a machine-dependent profile, and says it cannot be used to see the colour of the printer [3]. In plain words, sRGB is not a description of any press.

CMYK means cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink. Datacolor, writing about inkjet printing with ICC profiles in Photoshop in 2009, says that different paper or ink will cause different colours, which needs a new custom ICC printer profile [3]. In practice this means CMYK values made for one printer, ink and paper will not necessarily look the same on another.

The ICC FAQ (an older, undated document) says that most printer profiles convert from the profile connection space to CMYK, which is four channels, while many printers expect RGB data that they convert to CMYK in their driver [2]. It also gives an example from traditional printing: US files printed in Europe without correction tend to look light in the mid-tones (weak), because the US and Europe tend to have different dot gains [2].

Datacolor explains that colours outside what a printer can reproduce are handled by gamut mapping, set by the rendering intent, so some screen colours are changed in print [3]. It also shows an inkjet-on-glossy-paper example where some screen colours fall outside what the printer can print [3]. See soft proof vs hard proof.

There is no single answer that holds for every printer. These steps put the questions in a sensible order.

1. Ask which colour space and profile the printer wants, and whether it converts the file itself.
2. If the printer works from RGB, ask whether its driver or RIP expects sRGB or another profile, then embed that profile. The ICC FAQ notes that how well an sRGB file prints depends on whether the printer's driver or RIP is set up for it [2].
3. If the printer asks for CMYK, ask which output profile it wants used and whether it will supply that profile. The ICC FAQ also notes that to match a proof, the files need the right input profile and the printer the right output profile, or you can give the printer your profile so it can match your proof [2].
4. Keep your original master. Convert only a copy, and only if the printer asks.

Our other guides cover related file rules, including the artwork file checklist and the canvas resolution and colour guide.

Put these questions in writing, so the answer is on record.

• Which colour space and ICC profile do you want embedded: sRGB, another RGB profile, or a named CMYK profile?
• Do you convert to your press profile yourselves, or should we?
• Can you share your printer profile for our paper or material, so we can soft proof?
• Which rendering intent do you use for the conversion?
• Will you send a printed proof or sample before the full run?

Datacolor's view is that a printer answering a profile request with sRGB should be replaced as provider [3]; treat that as one vendor's firm view.

Soft proofing previews the printer on screen using its profile, and you choose a rendering intent when you do it [3]. Ask which rendering intent the printer uses.

The wider topic is in our colour management pillar guide, and how to brief a frame or board order covers where to record these file rules.

ArtzFolio is a private-label manufacturer in Noida, serving businesses and brands only. Our quote confirms price, minimum order and lead time, and samples are paid. Payment is 50% advance, and our shipping term is EXW Noida. We reply within 1 business day. Put your file and colour requirements in your enquiry. See pricing, minimums and lead times or contact us.

1. sRGB profiles (ICC RGB registry; redirected from color.org/srgbprofiles.html), International Color Consortium (ICC). registry.color.org (read 2026-11-08)
2. ICC Frequently Asked Questions (faqs.pdf; redirected to archive.color.org), International Color Consortium (ICC). archive.color.org (read 2026-11-08)
3. How to print correctly using an ICC printer profile under Adobe Photoshop, Datacolor. datacolor.com (read 2026-11-08)