Photoshop Color Settings

Adobe Photoshop (and all the Creative Suite programs) are color-managed applications - they work with your operating system to provide accurate display of color and ensure that any necessary color conversions are handled properly.

In Photoshop, the Color Settings dialog box (found under the Edit... menu) allows you to configure the options for how Photoshop will handle color. You should become familiar with these settings and check them periodically to make sure you have the ideal configuration for your particular needs.

Step 1
The most important setting is the Working Color Space selection (A). A color space is a mathematical description of all the colors possible in an image or for a given output device. A Working Color Space defines how the numeric color values in your image file are represented visually. Generally, photographers and artists working with RGB documents need only to be concerned with the selection of the RGB Working Space. The options are:

Adobe RGB (1998): the most commonly used RGB working space, Adobe RGB (1998) is a relatively large color space and is best for photos that will be printed in CMYK offset. If you're sending files to a printer, you will usually want to use Adobe RGB (1998) unless the printer specifies otherwise. Also, if you are preparing files that you intend for multiple types of output – or you don't know how the file will be printed – use Adobe RGB as it's the most flexible working space.

ProPhoto (E, below): the largest working color space available in Photoshop; ideal for photos that will be printed on inkjet printers. ProPhoto is the color space I usually use; If you are sending files to Coalson Editions for high-end prints, use ProPhoto.

sRGB IEC61966-2.1: the smallest of the three main RGB color spaces, sRGB most closely matches the colors available on computer monitors/TVs and the digital LED laser printers used by photo labs. If you are sending your files to a lab for output (or to Costco, Walmart etc.) these labs use a Fuji Frontier, Durst Lambda, Océ LightJet, Chromira, etc. and sRGB will provide the most predictable results.

Apple RGB and ColorMatch RGB - don't use either of these.

NOTE: If you are capturing in RAW format on your digital camera, select the same Working Space that you apply during the RAW conversion. If capturing JPG, use the same Working Color Space as set in your camera.

Step 2
Under the Color Management Policies section (B), make sure all three dropdown menus are set to "Preserve Embedded Profiles". You can uncheck the "Ask When Opening" checkboxes if you wish.

NOTE: as you move your mouse cursor around the Color Settings dialog box, you will see the text updated in the Description area (C). Read these descriptions to learn how these settings work.

Step 3
Click the "More Options..." button (D) (in earlier Photoshop versions is may say "Advanced...").

Make sure the Conversion Options are set as shown in (F).

Step 4
Click the "Save..." button (G) and name your customized settings. If your settings get changed, or if you need to save multiple settings, you can quickly reload saved sets from the Settings: menu (top).