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.
Standard ICC Profiles Table
Coated Paper Profiles
For glossy, matte coated, or silk paper stocks
Uncoated Paper Profiles
For natural, uncoated, textured paper stocks
Newsprint Profiles
For newspaper printing
Digital Press Profiles
For digital/toner-based printing
Detailed Profile Specifications
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
GRACoL 2006 Coated v2
US commercial printing standardFull specifications:
- Official name: GRACoL 2006 Coated
- Developed by: IDEAlliance (USA)
- Total Area Coverage (TAC): 300%
- Black generation: Medium GCR
- Paper type: Coated (#1, #2 grade)
- Printing method: Sheet-fed offset
- Ink standard: ISO 12647-2
Color characteristics:
- Gamut: Wide (similar to ISO Coated)
- Black point: L* 16
- Paper white: L* 95, a* 0, b* -2
- Tone reproduction: G7 calibration method
When to use:
- ✓ USA-based printers
- ✓ North American print shops
- ✓ Coated paper stocks
- ✓ Commercial printing
- ✓ Corporate materials
- ✓ Marketing collateral
Best for: US commercial printing standardDifference from ISO Coated:
- Lower TAC (300% vs 330%)
- Slightly different GCR curve
- G7 calibration methodology
- Results very similar in practice
Alternatives:
- Europe: ISO Coated v2 300%
- Web printing: SWOP 2006
SWOP 2006 Coated v3
US publication and web printingFull specifications:
- Official name: SWOP 2006 Coated Grade 3
- Stands for: Specifications for Web Offset Publications
- Total Area Coverage (TAC): 300%
- Black generation: Medium to Heavy GCR
- Paper type: Coated (#3 grade)
- Printing method: Web offset (roll-fed)
- Ink standard: ISO 12647-2
Color characteristics:
- Gamut: Moderate (narrower than GRACoL)
- Black point: L* 18-20
- Paper white: L* 92-94 (slightly yellower)
- Optimized for: High-speed web presses
When to use:
- ✓ Magazine printing
- ✓ Catalog printing
- ✓ Large-run publications
- ✓ Web offset presses
- ✓ Lower-grade coated paper
Best for: US publications (magazines, catalogs)Not ideal for:
- ✗ High-end commercial work (use GRACoL instead)
- ✗ Business cards (too much GCR)
- ✗ European printing
Alternatives:
- Sheet-fed: GRACoL 2006
- Europe: ISO Coated v2 300%
PSO Coated v3 (FOGRA51)
Modern European standard (2014)Full specifications:
- Official name: PSO Coated v3
- FOGRA reference: FOGRA51
- Total Area Coverage (TAC): 300%
- Black generation: Medium GCR
- Paper type: Premium coated (Type 1)
- Printing method: Sheet-fed offset
- Ink standard: ISO 12647-2:2013 (updated)
Color characteristics:
- Gamut: Slightly wider than FOGRA39
- Black point: L* 16
- Paper white: L* 95.3, a* -0.5, b* -3.3 (brighter)
- Improved: Cyan and blue reproduction
When to use:
- ✓ Modern European printing
- ✓ Premium quality projects
- ✓ Printers with updated equipment
- ✓ When printer specifies FOGRA51
Advantages over FOGRA39:
- Lower TAC (300% vs 330%) = faster drying
- Better cyan/blue colors
- Updated to modern inks/papers
Adoption status:
- Growing: More printers adopting
- FOGRA39 still dominant: Still more common globally
- Check with printer: Before using
Alternatives:
- Older standard: ISO Coated v2 (FOGRA39) - more compatible
- USA: GRACoL 2006
PSO Uncoated v3 (FOGRA52)
European uncoated paper standardFull specifications:
- Official name: PSO Uncoated v3
- FOGRA reference: FOGRA52
- Total Area Coverage (TAC): 260%
- Black generation: Heavy GCR
- Paper type: Uncoated white offset
- Printing method: Sheet-fed offset
- Ink standard: ISO 12647-2:2013
Color characteristics:
- Gamut: Narrower (uncoated paper limits)
- Black point: L* 20
- Paper white: L* 93, a* 0, b* 3 (warmer/yellower)
- Color saturation: Lower than coated
When to use:
- ✓ Natural/uncoated paper
- ✓ Letterpress printing
- ✓ Textured stocks
- ✓ “Earthy” aesthetic
- ✓ Books with uncoated pages
Characteristics:
- Duller colors (ink absorbs into paper)
- Lower TAC (paper can’t handle as much ink)
- Heavy GCR (to prevent muddiness)
- Warmer overall appearance
Not for:
- ✗ Vibrant color needs
- ✗ Photo-heavy projects
- ✗ Coated paper (use coated profile)
Alternatives:
- USA uncoated: GRACoL Uncoated
- Older standard: ISO Uncoated (FOGRA47)
Japan Color 2001 Coated
Japanese printing standardFull specifications:
- Official name: Japan Color 2001 Coated
- Developed by: Japan Print Machinery Association
- Total Area Coverage (TAC): 350%
- Black generation: Light to Medium GCR
- Paper type: Coated art paper
- Printing method: Sheet-fed offset
- Ink standard: JIS standards
Color characteristics:
- Gamut: Very wide (highest TAC)
- Black point: L* 15-16
- Paper white: L* 95+, slightly cooler
- Richer blacks: Higher ink coverage allowed
When to use:
- ✓ Printing in Japan
- ✓ Asian markets
- ✓ Japanese print shops
- ✓ When printer specifies
Characteristics:
- Higher TAC than Western standards
- Different ink formulations
- Richer, denser colors
- Longer drying time (higher TAC)
Use only if:
- Printer specifically requests
- Printing in Japan/Asia
- Otherwise use ISO or GRACoL
Alternatives:
- International: ISO Coated v2 300%
- USA: GRACoL 2006
Choosing the Right Profile
Decision Tree
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) 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)
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
Profile Comparison
TAC Limits Comparison
Lower TAC = Less ink = Faster drying + less saturation
Higher TAC = More ink = Richer colors + longer drying
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 Primary profiles:Coated paper (sheet-fed):
- Standard: GRACoL 2006 Coated v2
- Use for: Business cards, brochures, flyers, corporate materials
Coated paper (web offset):
- Standard: SWOP 2006 Coated Grade 3
- Use for: Magazines, catalogs, publications
Uncoated paper:
- Standard: GRACoL Uncoated
- Alternative: SWOP Grade 5 (lower quality)
Newsprint:Coverage: USA, Canada, some Latin America Primary profiles:Japan:
- Standard: Japan Color 2001 Coated
- Alternative: ISO Coated v2 (also accepted)
China:
- Common: ISO Coated v2 300%
- Some use: GRACoL 2006
Other Asia-Pacific:
- Most common: ISO Coated v2 300%
- Australia: ISO Coated v2 300%
Note: When unsure in Asia, ISO Coated v2 safest bet
Common Mistakes
Using Generic 'CMYK' Profile
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 Coated Profile for Uncoated Paper
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:
- Email/call printer
- Ask: “What ICC profile do you recommend?”
- Use exactly what they say
Result: Guaranteed compatibility
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
Installing ICC Profiles
Mac
Windows
Verify Installation
Installation:
-
Download .icc or .icm file
-
Place in one of these locations:
- User: ~/Library/ColorSync/Profiles/
- System: /Library/ColorSync/Profiles/
-
Restart applications
Access: Available in Printery profile dropdown Installation:
-
Download .icc or .icm file
-
Right-click file → Install Profile
-
Or manually place in:
- C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color\
-
Restart applications
Access: Available in Printery profile dropdown Check in Printery:
- Open plugin
- Color tab → ICC Profile dropdown
- Look for newly installed profile name
If not showing:
- Restart Figma
- Restart browser
- Verify file in correct folder
- Check file extension (.icc or .icm)
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
