ICC Characterization Data Registry
Introduction
The characterization data specified in this registry (which may be accessed by following the links at the end of this page) provides a way for standards organizations and others to identify sets of characterization data for standard printing processes and three-component (including RGB) color spaces. It is hoped that this will enable users to determine the 'pedigree' of such data, especially when it is used to create ICC Profiles. Please note that this registry is for characterization data (color measurement data) and not for ICC profiles. However, links are provided to profiles derived from this data which are known to the ICC. This information is given in good faith, but inclusion of a link to profile should not imply endorsement as to the quality of that profile by ICC.
Each set of characterization data registered by ICC contains a Reference Name. Standards groups (including PDF/X and JDF) are using these reference names to identify the characterization data sets within their specifications and have requested that ICC maintain the specified reference names, together with the respective data, and not change them without discussion. They, in turn, have agreed that both PDF/X and JDF will use the same identifiers, so long as they are predictably located in the ICC registry. This ICC has agreed to.
Characterization data structure
The ICC Registry is standardized in accordance with the following technical requirements:
- Each characterization data set shall be described in a separate web page.
- Each characterization web page shall include a "Reference Name" identifier, indicated by the string: "Reference Name: ", and comprised of all characters following that identifier on that line of the web page.
- Each "Reference Name" shall be a valid string comprised of the printable and space (element size - 8) 7-bit ASCII characters, per the textType definition in the ICC specification.
- A memo containing a complete listing of the Reference Names (exactly matching the strings from the web pages) shall be available with the repository.
- Once published and in use, the Reference Names shall not be changed.
- Each Reference Name must be unique from the others in at least one printable (non-space) character. Space characters may be ignored in evaluating Reference Name values.
Guidelines on the use of characterization data
Data conforming to the above specification may be obtained by following the links below. Where data is available on the ICC site it may be used for the creation of profiles, subject to the following restriction. Since one of the principle objectives of this registry is to provide a means whereby users may know the source from which ICC Profiles were created, any profiles which are produced from registered data must include the charTargetTag with the value "ICCHDAT refer.name" where refer.name is the Reference Name of the characterization data as listed in this registry. These profiles should also include refer.name in the profileDescriptionTag (e.g., "Based on refer.name"). Please note that simply being based on a registered set of data is not in any way a guarantee of the accuracy of the profile, nor should it be seen as an endorsement of the profile's integrity by the ICC.
Links to characterization data
Characterization Data Registry Section 1 contains characterization data for standard printing processes or three-component working spaces.
For CMYK characterization data click here.
For three-component (RGB) characterization data click here.
Vendor specific characterization data can also be registered. For details, please contact ksmythe@npes.org
Please send feedback and comments on this data registry to ksmythe@npes.org.
