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ICC Profile Quick Reference

This comprehensive table helps you choose the right ICC profile for your print project based on region, paper type, and printing method.
Most common: ISO Coated v2 300% (Europe/International, coated paper) and GRACoL 2006 (USA, coated paper) cover 80% of commercial print jobs.

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Standard ICC Profiles Table

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Coated Paper Profiles

For glossy, matte coated, or silk paper stocks
Profile NameRegionTACPaper TypePrinting MethodUse When
ISO Coated v2 300% (FOGRA39)Europe, International330%Coated glossy/matteOffsetMost European print shops, international standard
ISO Coated v2 300% (FOGRA39)Europe330%CoatedSheet-fed offsetHigh-quality commercial printing in Europe
PSO Coated v3 (FOGRA51)Europe300%CoatedModern offsetUpdated European standard (2014), premium printing
GRACoL 2006 (Coated v2)USA, Canada300%CoatedSheet-fed offsetUS commercial printing standard
SWOP 2006 (Coated v3)USA300%CoatedWeb offsetUS publication printing (magazines, catalogs)
Japan Color 2001 CoatedJapan, Asia350%CoatedOffsetJapanese printing standard
Coated GRACoL 2006USA300%CoatedSheet-fedUS high-quality commercial work

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Uncoated Paper Profiles

For natural, uncoated, textured paper stocks
Profile NameRegionTACPaper TypePrinting MethodUse When
PSO Uncoated v3 (FOGRA52)Europe260%UncoatedOffsetEuropean uncoated paper standard
ISO Uncoated (FOGRA47)Europe300%UncoatedOffsetOlder European uncoated standard
GRACoL 2006 UncoatedUSA260%UncoatedSheet-fed offsetUS uncoated paper printing
SWOP 2006 Grade 3USA260%UncoatedWeb offsetUS newsprint and lower-grade paper

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Newsprint Profiles

For newspaper printing
Profile NameRegionTACPaper TypePrinting MethodUse When
ISOnewspaper26v4 (FOGRA30)Europe240%NewsprintColdset web offsetEuropean newspaper printing
SWOP 2006 Grade 5USA240%NewsprintWeb offsetUS newspaper printing
SC Paper (FOGRA30)International240%NewsprintWeb offsetStandard newsprint profile

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Digital Press Profiles

For digital/toner-based printing
Profile NameRegionTACPaper TypePrinting MethodUse When
Fogra39Europe330%CoatedDigital pressEuropean digital printing
GRACoL 2006USA300%CoatedDigital pressUS digital printing on coated stock
ISO Coated v2 (ECI)International330%CoatedDigitalDigital presses matching offset standards

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Detailed Profile Specifications

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ISO Coated v2 300% (FOGRA39)

Most widely used international profileFull specifications:
  • Official name: ISO Coated v2 (ECI)
  • FOGRA reference: FOGRA39
  • Total Area Coverage (TAC): 330%
  • Black generation: Medium GCR
  • Paper type: Glossy or matte coated
  • Paper whiteness: Type 1 or 2 paper
  • Printing method: Sheet-fed offset
  • Ink standard: ISO 12647-2:2004
Color characteristics:
  • Gamut: Wide (good color reproduction)
  • Black point: L* 16
  • Paper white: L* 95, a* 0, b* -2
When to use:
  • ✓ European print shops (most common)
  • ✓ International projects
  • ✓ Coated paper stocks
  • ✓ High-quality commercial printing
  • ✓ Brochures, business cards, flyers
  • ✓ Don’t know printer’s spec (safe default)
Best for: 80% of commercial print in Europe and international marketsAlternatives:
  • Newer standard: PSO Coated v3 (FOGRA51) - updated 2014
  • USA equivalent: GRACoL 2006 Coated

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Choosing the Right Profile

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Decision Tree

1

Ask Your Printer

Always ask first:“What ICC profile do you recommend for this project?”Professional printers will specify:
  • Exact profile name
  • Or provide custom profile
If they specify: Use that (always)
2

If Printer Doesn't Specify

Use this decision tree:1. What region?
  • Europe/International → ISO Coated v2 300%
  • USA/Canada → GRACoL 2006
  • Japan/Asia → Japan Color 2001
  • Australia → ISO Coated v2 300%
2. What paper type?
  • Glossy/Matte coated → Coated profile
  • Natural/Uncoated → Uncoated profile
  • Newsprint → Newsprint profile
3. What printing method?
  • Sheet-fed offset → Standard coated/uncoated
  • Web offset (magazines) → SWOP (USA) or ISO Web (Europe)
  • Digital press → Match to offset standards (Fogra39 or GRACoL)
3

When Completely Unsure

Safe defaults (work 90% of the time):Global default: ISO Coated v2 300% (FOGRA39)
  • Most widely accepted internationally
  • Good color gamut
  • Compatible with most printers
USA default: GRACoL 2006 Coated
  • US commercial printing standard
  • Widely supported
These rarely cause issues: Even if not perfect match

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Profile Comparison

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TAC Limits Comparison

ProfileTAC LimitWhy This LimitImplication
ISO Coated v2330%European standard for coated paperRich colors, good blacks
GRACoL 2006300%US sheet-fed standardBalanced, fast drying
SWOP 2006300%US web offset standardOptimized for speed
PSO Coated v3300%Modern European standardFaster drying than FOGRA39
PSO Uncoated v3260%Uncoated paper absorption limitPrevents ink bleed/muddy colors
Japan Color350%Japanese paper/ink standardsRichest colors, slowest drying
Newsprint240%Low-quality paper limitPrevents saturation/bleed
Lower TAC = Less ink = Faster drying + less saturation Higher TAC = More ink = Richer colors + longer drying

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Regional Standards Summary

Primary profiles:Coated paper:
  • Standard: ISO Coated v2 300% (FOGRA39)
  • Modern: PSO Coated v3 (FOGRA51)
  • Use: FOGRA39 unless printer specifies FOGRA51
Uncoated paper:
  • Standard: PSO Uncoated v3 (FOGRA52)
  • Older: ISO Uncoated (FOGRA47)
Newsprint:
  • ISOnewspaper26v4 (FOGRA30)
Coverage: Works in most of Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa

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Common Mistakes

Problem: “Generic CMYK” or “US Web Coated (SWOP) v2”Why wrong:
  • Very old profiles (1990s)
  • Don’t match modern printing
  • Poor color accuracy
  • Some printers reject
Fix: Use modern profiles (ISO Coated v2, GRACoL 2006, etc.)
Problem: Using GRACoL for European printer (or vice versa)Result:
  • Colors slightly off
  • TAC violations possible
  • Printer may need to convert (adds errors)
Fix: Match profile to printer’s region
Problem: Using ISO Coated v2 with uncoated paper stockResult:
  • Colors too dark
  • Ink bleeds/spreads
  • Muddy appearance
  • TAC too high for paper
Fix: Use uncoated profile for uncoated paper (PSO Uncoated, GRACoL Uncoated)
Problem: Guessing which profile to useBetter approach:
  1. Email/call printer
  2. Ask: “What ICC profile do you recommend?”
  3. Use exactly what they say
Result: Guaranteed compatibility

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Downloading Profiles

Where to get standard ICC profiles:

ECI (European Color Initiative)

Profiles:
  • ISO Coated v2 300% (FOGRA39)
  • PSO Coated v3 (FOGRA51)
  • PSO Uncoated v3 (FOGRA52)
Free download: Official European standards

IDEAlliance

Profiles:
  • GRACoL 2006 Coated
  • GRACoL Uncoated
  • SWOP 2006
Free download: Official US standards

Adobe

Included with Adobe apps:
  • Adobe RGB (1998)
  • sRGB
  • Common CMYK profiles
Location: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Color/Profiles (Mac)

Printer Custom Profiles

Custom profiles from your printer:
  • Ask printer for their ICC profile
  • Calibrated to their specific equipment
  • Best accuracy
Use: For critical color matching

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Installing ICC Profiles

Installation:
  1. Download .icc or .icm file
  2. Place in one of these locations:
    • User: ~/Library/ColorSync/Profiles/
    • System: /Library/ColorSync/Profiles/
  3. Restart applications
Access: Available in Printery profile dropdown

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Learn More

ICC Profiles Guide

Understanding ICC profiles in depth

RGB vs CMYK

Color model fundamentals

Color Accuracy Tutorial

Achieving accurate print colors

Color Issues Troubleshooting

Fix color problems