N.B. Patches were updated on 1st April 2008 to support the new X-Rite ISIS measuring system - please use this link to download the latest patches and instructions if you have not already done so. Any new orders will automatically be sent the latest patches etc.

Why Use Native Digital for Remote Profiling? - we have been creating remote ICC profiles and helping photographers and designers experience superb prints since 2004. All profile creation is overseen by our Technical Director, Rob Griffith, who has over 10 years experience of professional colour management.

In short, we know what we are doing and provide a quality service at an honest price.

The greatest testament to our service is positive comments we receive from our customers - take a look at the bottom of this page for some genuine examples.

How come Native Digital is so much cheaper than other profiling services? - we've invested over £7000 in the very best spectrophotometers and profile creation software. This means we can create profiles quickly and efficiently (due to the speed and automation of the measuring equipment) - this enables us to bring our prices right down, WITHOUT compromising on the quality.

Remember that we also offer help and support, either via email or on the phone if you are having any problems using our profiles. Provided you understand how to change a few options in your print driver, you'll have no problem creating and using a Native Digital Remote Printer profile - clear instructions are provided. Don't delay - start enjoying beautiful, full gamut, colour accurate prints from your desktop printer!

Why would you want a custom ICC profile?
Provided that you purchase the manufacturers paper and inks, chances are that you'll get reasonably colour-accurate output from your printer, but because the manufacturer has to build in certain tolerances, your prints are going to be on the safe side of what the printer 'could' produce. Custom profiling has many benefits, apart from bringing better colour accuracy onto a wider range of papers and inks, it also maximises the colour gamut on each, so you really are getting the best from your printer, paper and ink combination.

What's the procedure?
When you purchase a remote profile from us, we automatically send you a TIFF file to print, according to the supplied, detailed instructions. These files contain a number of squares of colour, called 'patches', and each one has been carefully chosen to test the colour range and accuracy of your printer, paper and ink combination. Once dry, you send these patches back to us and we analyse them using a high-quality automatic spectrophotometer and profiling software (X-Rite ISIS and ProfileMaker Pro software). In essence, the profiling software measures the actual colour produced by the specific RGB value in conjunction with your ink and paper, building up a table of results which become the ICC profile. The profile is a digital characterisation of your printer, paper and ink combination which we email back to you.

How long does it take to get a profile back to me?
Once we receive your printed patches, we generally aim to create the profile and email it back to you within a maximum of 72 hours (normally it's quicker than this). If you are in a real hurry, please call us first and we'll see what we can do.

How big is the profile and does it have to be emailed?
Profiles vary in size, but are typically around 1Mb. You'll need to ensure that the email address you specified on your order is able to receive a 1Mb+ file. Alternatively, we can burn the profile to a CD-ROM for a small additional charge.

Do I need a separate profile for each type of paper I use?
Yes! A profile describes or characterises your printer, paper and ink combination and any variation will lead to inaccuracies and poor results. Each type of paper 'takes' ink differently, so even two semi-gloss papers from different manufacturers will yield different results. As most people have 2 or 3 different paper types they regularly use, we give discounts for multiple purchases.

How do I use an ICC profile?
We send you detailed instructions with the profile, and once put in the right place, the profiles are accessible through the printing options in Adobe Photoshop (v6 + or Elements) or through your ICC-aware application.

My inkjet printer uses a RIP, is this still OK to be profiled using this service?
No, when you print directly to your inkjet printer, the data goes from your computer to the printer in RGB format (even though your printer may use CMYK or CcMmYK inks or other combinations, it is an RGB printer in terms of the data it receives), however, if you have a RIP, the data from your computer to the RIP is CMYK which requires a different profiling procedure. If you need CMYK profiling for a RIP or toner-based printer, please contact us.

Have any magazines reviewed your profiling service?
Yes, the BJP (British Journal of Photography) reviewed our service in the 20/10/04 issue and commented "...the improvement in image quality is remarkable. Colours are brighter and more vibrant, and overall the print is 'more open' and has a full tonal range".

What about customers, and comments from them?
Try these…
"Just a note to say thanks! The Eye-One Display, coupled with the remote printer profile you sent means I am now printing what I see on screen. I am well pleased!. BW"
"Thanks for the quick service. I have just printed a few images with the profile and the results are amazing, wish I had done this ages ago. PA"
"It all works! Worth every penny - very subtle but important changes to tones, typical print is noticeably nearer original tranny. RD"
"Many thanks for the remote profiles you sent yesterday. An immediate and impressive improvement! CB".