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Kaiserphoto
Participant
April 9, 2015
Answered

Input-only color profile. What in the heck is that?

I'm putting a watermark on a photo and getting an error message: could not place because the current document has an input-only color profile. What in the heck is that?

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    Barry RudickCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    May 2, 2017

    An input-only color profile usually implies that is was scanned or captured on a device that embedded an input profile. An input profile is a profile that describes the device in ColorSync language you might say.  Photoshop likes to use Working Space color profiles, such as sRGB or AdobeRGB, etc. I would suggest that the file be converted to a working space profile first, then it should be usable in your workflow.

    To convert a file to a working space profile, open the file in question, go to the Edit menu and scroll down to "Convert to Profile", choose your favorite space from the top group of working spaces. I would suggest sRGB or AdobeRGB. Save the file and it will be embedded in the file.

    Cheers,

    Barry Rudick

    Aker Imaging

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    18 replies

    joefreshy
    Known Participant
    October 5, 2023

    Adobe should recognize that no-one wants an error message that doesn't provide a solution. 

    Ok Adobe, so you know that i'm trying to place an image and you know the reason that you aren't able to do it, so then please do the thing you need to do so that i can do the thing i need to do, are you dumb?

     

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    NB, colourmanagement
    Community Expert
    NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 17, 2020

    If the file truly has an INPUT ICC profile embedded, then, using the Photoshop's Edit / Convert to Profile and selecting, as destination for the conversion, a working colour space such as Adobe RGB or sRGB would solve that issue. 

     

    BUT do note [for layered files] - when converting:

    hansmagnusnedreberg wrote:
    Community Beginner ,  
    Nov 11, 2017

    Copy link to clipboard

     

    Just remember to uncheck the "Flatten Image to Preserve Appearance" check box.

    #wheredidallmylayersandworkgo

     

    and the implications of that - 

    DFossse also noted:

    Numerical adjustments are color space specific, and if you have adjustment layers, the file's appearance will change in the new color space. You will have to readjust them all.

     

    If you've done that - and still see the error message described earlier, then that seems like a bug.

     

    You can report it as a bug here
    https://feedback.photoshop.com/photoshop_family/categories/photoshop_family_photoshop

     

    I hope this helps
    neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer
    google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management
    [please only use the blue reply button at the top of the page, this maintains the original thread title and chronological order of posts]

     

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      Stuart0D4C
      Participant
      December 17, 2020

      I have the CS6 version where the solution offered by Barry does not seem to work. I have owned this version for years, and this is the first time I've encountered this error message (although this version has not been supported by upgrades for a few years now).   I'm working with photos sent to my computer from my iPhone.  I converted the particular photo color profile within the Photoshop File "Save", and also changed my specific photo's regular file to RGB, independent of Photoshop.

      Would anyone be able to offer another solution?

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      NB, colourmanagement
      Community Expert
      NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 11, 2020

      If you're interested you can learn a little about ICC profiles here

      here is some reading on ICC profiles and how they work for you to provide accurate colour through the digital workflow: https://www.colourmanagement.net/advice/about-icc-colour-profiles/

       

      I hope this helps

      thanks
      neil barstow, colourmanagement.net :: adobe forum volunteer
      [please do not use the reply button on a message within the thread, only use the blue reply button at the top of the page, this maintains the original thread title and chronological order of posts]

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      Tony Novelli
      Participating Frequently
      October 8, 2020

      Just got this for the first time in the latest cc update. I tried the above and it flattened all my layers. Instead I used Edit/assign profile and selected sRGB then saved. Preserved everything, though make sure you have a copy saved before attempting, just in case.

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        rgbtulsa
        Participant
        October 14, 2017

        Barry's solution worked for me as well!

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          Barry RudickCorrect answer
          Inspiring
          May 2, 2017

          An input-only color profile usually implies that is was scanned or captured on a device that embedded an input profile. An input profile is a profile that describes the device in ColorSync language you might say.  Photoshop likes to use Working Space color profiles, such as sRGB or AdobeRGB, etc. I would suggest that the file be converted to a working space profile first, then it should be usable in your workflow.

          To convert a file to a working space profile, open the file in question, go to the Edit menu and scroll down to "Convert to Profile", choose your favorite space from the top group of working spaces. I would suggest sRGB or AdobeRGB. Save the file and it will be embedded in the file.

          Cheers,

          Barry Rudick

          Aker Imaging

          Translate
            zerkins-wgaca
            Participant
            May 2, 2017

            The current version of CC will just prompt you if that is the case. I had to reinstall from the Creative Cloud app to clear the 'input only' warning.

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