How to Print Color Patches Correctly for a Custom ICC Profile with X-Rite i1Profiler

Question

When printing color patches to create a custom ICC printer profile with X-Rite i1Profiler, should the Epson printer preferences use the default Epson ICC profile, or should the printer be set to no color management?

Answer

When printing color patches for the purpose of creating a custom ICC printer profile with X-Rite i1Profiler, you should select No Color Management and disable color correction in the Epson printer driver. You should not apply the default Epson ICC profile when printing the measurement chart.

The purpose of the profiling chart is to measure the printer's natural and uncorrected color output. X-Rite i1Profiler needs to evaluate how the printer, ink, paper, and selected driver settings reproduce color before an ICC correction is applied. The software then compares the expected patch values with the actual measured results and builds a profile that compensates for the differences.

If the Epson ICC profile, Epson color controls, or another color correction is applied while printing the patches, the chart will no longer represent the printer's raw output. The profiling software would be measuring colors that have already been modified. This can lead to inaccurate measurements, incorrect color transformations, neutral-gray problems, color casts, clipped colors, or excessive saturation.

It may also create a condition known as double color management. Double color management occurs when more than one program or device applies color corrections to the same print job. For example, X-Rite i1Profiler or the design application may manage the colors while the Epson driver also applies its own ICC profile or automatic color adjustment. Because both systems are attempting to correct the colors, the final result can become unpredictable.

In the Epson printer driver, look for an option such as:

• Off (No Color Adjustment)

• No Color Adjustment

• No Color Management

• Color Controls: Off

• ICM: Off

The exact wording and location will depend on the Epson printer model, operating system, and driver version. On some Epson drivers, the setting may appear under Advanced, More Options, Color Correction, Custom, or Color Management.

Although color correction should be disabled, the other printer settings still matter. You should select the exact media type, print quality, resolution, platen gap, paper source, and other settings that you intend to use later when printing with the completed profile.

An ICC profile is specific to the entire printing configuration, including:

• Printer model

• Printhead condition

• Ink type and ink set

• Paper or printable media

• Epson media-type selection

• Print resolution

• Print quality

• Driver settings

• Ink limits or RIP configuration

• Viewing and measurement conditions

For example, a profile created using Premium Presentation Paper Matte at a high-quality setting should not automatically be expected to perform correctly when printing on glossy paper with a different media setting. Changing the paper, ink, media type, resolution, or major driver settings changes the printer's color behavior and may require a new ICC profile.

Before printing the profiling chart, confirm that the printer is operating properly. Perform a nozzle check and make sure every required nozzle is printing. Missing nozzles, deflected nozzles, ink starvation, air in the ink lines, or cross-contaminated colors can invalidate the measurements. If the printer's output changes after the profile is created, the ICC profile may no longer provide accurate results.

Print the patch chart at 100% size. Do not use Fit to Page, Scale to Fit, borderless enlargement, automatic resizing, or any other scaling option unless the profiling workflow specifically requires it. Resizing the chart can change the patch dimensions and spacing, which may prevent the X-Rite device or software from reading the patches correctly.

You should also disable enhancement features such as:

• Epson PhotoEnhance

• Vivid color

• Automatic color correction

• Scene correction

• Skin-tone enhancement

• Red-eye correction

• Brightness or contrast adjustments

• Driver-level ICC conversion

• Any application-level effect that alters the chart

After printing, allow the chart to dry and stabilize before measuring it. The necessary waiting time depends on the ink and media. Some prints may appear dry within minutes but continue to change as the ink settles into the coating or as solvents and moisture evaporate. Measuring the chart too soon can produce a profile based on colors that have not fully stabilized.

Keep the printed chart clean and flat. Avoid touching the color patches because fingerprints, oils, scratches, dust, or surface damage can affect the spectrophotometer readings. Measure the chart under consistent conditions, following the instructions for the X-Rite device and i1Profiler software.

Once the custom ICC profile has been created and installed, the workflow changes. During normal printing, your design application, photo-editing software, or RIP software should apply the newly created custom ICC profile. The Epson driver should still remain set to No Color Adjustment so the driver does not apply a second color conversion.

A typical profile-based printing workflow is:

1. Select the custom ICC profile in the design, photo, or RIP software.

2. Choose the appropriate rendering intent for the image and application.

3. Enable application-managed color.

4. Select the same Epson media type and print-quality settings used when the profile was created.

5. Set the Epson printer driver to No Color Adjustment.

6. Print without adding another printer-driver ICC profile.

The custom profile should only be used with the same printer, ink, paper, media-type setting, resolution, and general configuration used to create it. If you change an important part of the printing system, you should consider generating a new profile.

Therefore, the direct answer is: Print the X-Rite i1Profiler patches with the Epson driver set to No Color Adjustment or No Color Management. Do not use the default Epson ICC profile when printing the profiling chart.

Addressing printer and color-management issues can be complicated because many problems require hands-on inspection, controlled testing, and evaluation of the complete printing workflow. For this reason, we are unable to provide individualized remote troubleshooting, repair recommendations, or continuing technical support for printer repairs.

We offer in-person evaluation and repair through our local printer diagnostic and repair facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Because demand is high, service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take several weeks before a printer can be scheduled for drop-off. Our services are structured to accommodate either a complete printer or certain individual components, with instructions available regarding how to proceed.

We also recognize that professional diagnostic and repair rates may not be the most economical solution for every situation. Therefore, we strongly recommend using online research and self-help resources whenever appropriate. You can begin by searching YouTube or visiting the homepage of the BCH Technologies YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies].

On our channel page, use the search icon near the "About" section on the right side of the menu bar. Enter the printer model, error code, component name, or specific problem you are researching. I receive dozens of questions every day asking whether we have produced a video about a particular subject. After creating videos for more than nine years, it is difficult to remember every video individually. Using YouTube's channel-search function is generally the fastest and most effective method. YouTube may also recommend relevant videos from other channels that could help with your specific setup.

Thank you again for your thoughtful question, your patience, and your continued support of BCH Technologies. We sincerely appreciate your engagement with our work and hope this explanation helps you create a more accurate and dependable custom ICC printer profile.