Color management issues

when an RGB document (or object) is opened in an un-color-managed application -- its RGB numbers are typically sent straight through to the monitor with no internal attempt to correct the color for monitor proofing

this effect is easy to prove and observe in Photoshop:

download a copy of the Photodisc PDI Whacked RGB target jpg

http://www.gballard.net/photoshop/pdi_download/#downloads

see the directions there to open the target using the embedded profile

downloading and testing the ProPhotoRGB version might be easier for you to see my point

once the PDI document is opened correctly, View> Proof Setup> Monitor RGB (to simulate "softproof" how the un-color-managed app will display the colors), but don't forget to toggle it back off

my point is: you need to get a working knowledge for how your apps deal with profiles and configure your print utility to make a proper conversion to your print profile

for color management to work optimally, all your profiles need to be 'accurate' for their proofing spaces

when an ICC profile is absent or ignored in a document opened in Photoshop (or any color-managed app), its color management system or module must make an assumption (assign a profile for all practical purposes) BEFORE it converts the document colors to the monitor space for 'accurate' proofing on the monitor

likewise, when an ICC profile is absent or ignored in a document opened in Photoshop (or any color-managed app), its color management system must make an assumption (assign a profile for all practical purposes) BEFORE it converts the document colors to the print space for 'accurate' proofing on the substrate

the source ICC profile is independent of the monitor and print spaces (profiles) - hopefully

my point is you need to be sure Photoshop is using or applying the correct document profile BEFORE Photoshop can display or print it faithfully

What computer did you have before?  What OS?  Which CS?  Was your previous monitor calibrated?  Have you matched your work spaces from previous to new applications?  Are you using the same printer as before?  If so, what brand and model number?  When you say the images are "completely off", what do you mean?  Is there a color cast?  Too bright?  Too dark?  As you can see, there are many variables that can affect color.  I would start by trying to match everything with what you had been using in the previous computer, because you found those images acceptable.  There is something somewhere that has changed, including your monitor settings and whether it has been calibrated or not.  White point could have a dramatic affect on color.

If you have one of the new iMacs with DCI-P3 gamut display - which is a variety of wide gamut - the normal caveats apply: You must view in a fully color managed environment, and you must calibrate and profile the display. Anything not color managed will appear oversaturated on screen because it assumes an sRGB-type display.

Standard color management troubleshooting:

1. Does the image have an embedded document profile?
2. Do you have a valid monitor profile set up at system level (where the application will find it)? And for print, do you have the correct paper/ink profile in the print dialog?
3. Are you using color managed software that will read both these profiles and properly convert from 1 into 2?

Moving to Color management‌

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