Technical Terms: Color Management

Color management is the process of making colors look the same on two or more different color image input or output devices. For example, color management can be used to make the prints created by a digital color printer match the same images displayed on a computer screen.

Accurate color management requires that all devices in the system be calibrated (adjusted to standard settings) and characterized (have a systematically measured color response). Then sophisticated software is used to alter the colors so they will match as closely as possible. Perfect color matching is usually impossible due to differences in the characteristics of the devices.