Batch processing of PSD's to sRGB. Need help.

[StarsAbove]

I have been unable to batch convert PSD's to sRGB color profile from Adobe 1998. I've recorded an Action with Edit/Convert Profile and also recorded an Action which added on converstion to Jpegs. I've utilized Save As and checked the box to save the sRGB profile that I created under Edit. I've tried the Image Processor. I've tried to record Export As in an action to convert to Jpeg/sRGB but the Action refused to record this method. I can convert single files, but not batch process which I need for a client. I have spent hours and hours trying to find a way to make this work. Even when the Action is recorded properly and I can view the steps in the Action panel, it refuses to apply the sRGB color profile.  Also, I created TIFFs with LZW and tried to maintain the Adobe 1998 Profile, but it switched this profile to plain "RGB" in the File info panel and the color also changed from the files I had edited as PSD's with Adobe 1998.

Thank you!

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

Your description seems longish, but not completely clear … 

Please post meaningful screenshots to illustrate the Action, the Image Processor settings etc. 

Just to make sure: What are your Edit > Color Settings? 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

These settings work fine here and the resulting jpgs are sRGB: 

[StarsAbove]

Thank you to everyone for the helpful replies.  I was finally able to resolve it by tinkering with the Color Settings, I changed the Working Spaces RGB setting, I cannot recall now what it previously was. It is now Adobe RGB (1998).  Then I re-recorded the Action and ran it through Automate-batch. It then converted the PSD's to jpegs and sRGB as I directed. However, I still have confusion over some color profile issues. The TIFFs I created for my client to print files from, I compressed with LZW in order to email them. When I viewed these files, there was a noticeable skin tone color shift from the PSD files which were also using Adobe RGB. However, the Jpegs look similar to the PSD's!  I wanted the images to resemble my PSD's for printing, is it the LZW which shifted the color or the TIFF's? (Why do my PSD's say RGB as the "Color Space" and profile as Adobe RGB, is my "Space" correct?) Also,

what is "without dither" referring to? I ran my files "with dither" because I didn't understand the option.  And, why did you not check the box to convert to sRGB, rather than running the Action in category 4 of the Preferences for the Image Processor?  Is there a benefit to using the Action? I also used the Relative Colormetric setting , but was advised by someone that using Perceptual was better.  Thank you for your expertise, so much appreciated.

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

I strongly suspect your problem is that your files don't have an embedded color profile (untagged). Never work with untagged files. There should always be an embedded profile.

That's the only explanation I can think of. Batch converting to sRGB is perfectly routine and straightforward and does not require any special settings, not in Color Settings, and not anywhere else.

I suggest you reset your color settings to defaults to avoid any further problems down the road. The default settings are safe.

[StarsAbove]

Thank you. Please can you advise how to reset to default? Next, you are brilliant, absolutely correct, Doctor D.  I viewed one of my TIFFs and it said untagged. This is an error for which I do not know the source. I converted my PSD's to Tiffs, the PSD's all show Adobe RGB.  I do not know how they became untagged. I wanted them to remain as Adobe RGB's.  What is the best route to batch process them again and retain the proper tag? With a new Action or the image processor? Thank you!

[D Fosse]

I've always just used actions to batch convert. All it takes is an "Edit > Convert to Profile" step in the action.

Note that if you have adjustment layers, it should be preceded by "flatten image". Numbers are color space specific, so in turn numerical adjustments will have different meanings in different color spaces. A given adjustment will have a different effect in another color space.

To reset color settings, just pick one of the "general purpose" presets. That's how Photoshop comes out of the box.

The most important setting is the color management policies. This should always be set to Preserve Embedded Profiles. With this setting, the embedded profile will always override your working space. That's how color management is intended to work. The other two options are legacy settings that will quickly get you in trouble.

If you have untagged files, you need to assign the correct profile first. The correct profile is the one the file was actually created in. If you assign a different profile, the color will change from what was intended. If you don't know, you simply have to see which one looks correct.

The working space is just a fallback default for missing profiles. It only comes into play if there is no embedded profile. Normally, it doesn't really matter what the working space is, it won't be used.

[StarsAbove]

Thank you for the wonderful information.  I will re-check my Canon to clarify the color space I shot the images in. This is such helpful information for people transitioning from film photography. Thank you!

[D Fosse]

How do you verify that it "refuses to apply the sRGB color profile"?

Check here:

BTW - there is no such thing as "plain RGB". There is always some RGB color space.

[StarsAbove]

Thank you so much. The image you shared was quite helpful. I was utilizing File Info to check the status of the profile.  (I resolved the problem eventually by changing the Working RGB space in the color settings box.). My files all show a color space as "RGB" and a profile as "Adobe RGB" (or sRGB for the jpegs.) My color settings show Adobe RGB. Where does this color space become defined?

Next, I am the photoshop idiot of the month. (Hopefully my identity will stay reasonably confidential, so please do not mock me), but I completely forgot that I was doing color correction for my images on an imac screen that I had set, in system preferences, with a home-cooked calibrated setting. It is easier on my eyes for it to be warmer and I FORGOT to change it to the Adobe RGB option.  The images look good despite, but obviously cooler than I would have made them, quite a large error.  With this in mind, please can you advise, when editing, should I have my monitor set to Adobe RGB, since I will be working with this profile for printing? Next, the TIFF's that I created to send to my client (with LZW compression) shifted and became much cooler (skin tone) than my original PSD files.  However, the jpegs I created, with sRGB looked much better/closer to the PSD's.  Thank you for your expertise. 

[r-bin]

How do you verify that it "refuses to apply the sRGB color profile"?

.....

BTW - there is no such thing as "plain RGB". There is always some RGB color space.

By @D Fosse

It looks like there are 32 bit images there