Save ICC profile question

[supplier]

Hi folks:



could you please explain me one thing I still do not get. I shoot in RAW (aRGB). But eventually all my 4x6 I print via on-line photo printers. During the last conversion step (usually from aRGB TIFF to sRGB, as sRGB is require by the lab) I have an option to click to "Save ICC profile" during saving the jpeg. What does it mean? When do I use it? Does all jpeg's automatically saved into sRGB? Lab is asking to upload the pictures in sRGB with no profiles attached? What and most important “why” should I attach a profile to my picture in sRGB (or any other color space).



Thanks a lot

[PacAce]

For the most parts, if you are converting the images to sRGB, then you really don't need to attach the ICC profile with the image because most applications assusme that any image without a profile will by default be in the sRGB space. However, this isn't always the case in the Mac world where some apps assume that the color space used is the monitor color space. Having an ICC profile embedded would make these supposedly color-space-aware apps display the images "correctly".

[chtgrubbs]

AdobeRGB and sRGB are color spaces not profiles. Dry Creek Photo has a web page on how to use a custom profile. According to them, Fuji and Noritsu printers, used by most mass labs, don't recognize profiles. In the "Save As" command they say to uncheck the ICC Profile in the Color Options box. Just convert to sRGB color space and send them in.

[chtgrubbs]

AdobeRGB and sRGB are color spaces not profiles. Dry Creek Photo has a web page on how to use a custom profile. According to them, Fuji and Noritsu printers, used by most mass labs, don't recognize profiles. In the "Save As" command they say to uncheck the ICC Profile in the Options-Color box. Just convert to sRGB color space and send them in.

[chtgrubbs]

Here's the link to instructions:
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Frontier/using_printer_profiles.htm

[supplier]

Thanks all