I have been getting a ton of questions about ICC profiles for sublimation ever since I converted my Epson EcoTank printer. Do you have to use one to use your sublimation printer? What exactly do they do? Can they really correct the colors that you are seeing on your projects? Well, I am here to answer all of that and more! Follow along below to understand ICC files and start using one if you would like! I also have an ICC profile for Hiipoo sublimation ink below if you would like to download it for your own use.
ICC Profiles for Sublimation
Want to learn all about profiles and how to use them? You can watch the video below as I walk you through using the profiles and even show you examples of how the colors change when they are in use.
Can’t watch the video or missed some of the steps? You can also follow along with the blog post below!
What is an ICC profile?
ICC stands for International Color Consortium and these files manage the colors from just about anything. You would have profiles on cameras, computers, monitors, printers, etc so that the colors remain the same no matter where you are looking at them. When you buy a printer, it comes with an ICC profile already installed in the printer driver and that’s how it handles colors. However, that ICC profile is meant for the ink that comes with the printer.
When you convert a regular inkjet printer to a sublimation printer, you have now altered a component that they used to create that ICC file. Traditionally on an inkjet printer, I would use standard regular copy paper and inkjet ink with the printer. Once converted, I am using Hiipoo sublimation ink and A-Sub sublimation paper. That means I can potentially get different colors out of that standard color profile.
ICC profiles are a way to fix that. You will need to find and install a custom ICC profile for your printer. This ensures that the colors you see on your computer screen come out of your printer consistently. So what you see, you actually get printed as well as pressed to your shirt or another substrate. If you have a problem with some of your colors, it is due to the ICC profile most likely.
How to Get ICC Files
You will need to go to the manufacturer of your brand of sublimation ink and see if they have a file for your exact combination. These files are based on the printer, the brand of ink, and the brand of paper. So the exact combination should be used for optimal results. Will you have good results without a file or with a different paper? You might! But you may have issues depending on the file and the changes you are making.
ICC Profile for Hiipoo Sublimation Ink
I was able to get one file for Hiipoo sublimation ink for my particular combination of printer/ink/paper. They are working on more files and I will update this post when they have them. For now, the file that I have is for an ET-4700 with Hiipoo sublimation ink and A-Sub sublimation paper. I will note that I had someone try it with an ET-2760 and she really liked it as well so you may be able to give it a try and see what happens.
To get the profile, just sign up for the newsletter here. Once you sign up, the file will be sent directly to your email address. From there, you will need to download then follow the instructions below to use the file. Please note that you can only use these files on a computer with something like Photoshop or Corel installed for use. You can’t open this file. You will just need to install it as instructed below.
What do you need to use ICC color profiles?
You will need a few things to get started with using custom color profiles.
- ICC file for your combination of printer/ink/sublimation paper – you can usually go to the ink manufacturer and see if they have one for your combination.
- Computer – these only work on a computer so you will not be able to use your mobile device.
- Software – you will need some type of software to read and handle the ICC profile. I am using Adobe Photoshop but Corel will also work. There may be other programs out there that will work but I do not have experience with those.
How to Use ICC Profiles
Now that you have your profile, it is time to use it on your computer for your sublimation printer. To do that, open up your the folder where the file is located and right click it. Then click “install profile”. It is important to note here that nothing will really happen as this is a super small file and it will install in about the blink of an eye. But once you install it, it will be ready for use.
Now we will need to tell our printer to use this profile. First, open up your printing preferences dialogue box. There should be an area that says “color correction” and it is most likely set to automatic. This is the default for most printers when you set them up.
Change that to custom and click advanced. You will then get a few options. To use your ICC profile, you will want to change this to “no color adjustment” and click ok. However, if you don’t have an ICC file for your combination, you can also click “custom” here and a dialogue window opens where you can manually change colors.
While I don’t recommend this in all cases, if you don’t have an ICC profile and are having color issues, this may be one way to help solve the issue.
For me, I picked no color adjustment then pulled up Photoshop to print and example page. Once you click print in Photoshop, you will need to change the color handling to “photoshop manages color” and the printer profile to the profile you just installed. Then click print! You have now used a custom ICC profile to print on a sublimation printer.
Do ICC profiles make a difference?
Let’s put it to the test. Do ICC profiles for sublimation really make a difference? I printed three Pantone color charts with the same sublimation paper, ink, and printer. One with the printer driver and automatic correction. One with color controls on but I didn’t alter anything manually. Then one with the Hiipoo color profile that I offer above.
I saw very little difference in the first two but the one with the Hiipoo ICC file was definitely brighter when comparing certain colors.
This was out of the printer, however, and before pressing. I wanted to take a look at these before and after pressing to see if I saw differences in both scenarios.
Then I pressed each of these to a 100% polyester cloth using the same settings each time. Again, I felt the automatic and color controls were roughly the same. You may even say the color controls were a bit more muted.
So, I decided to just compare the Epson profile to the Hiipoo profile and see what color differences I could see. Overall, the colors are brighter and there is more definition between colors with the Hiipoo profile.
However, while some colors look way different and way brighter, other colors look relatively the same when comparing both pieces.
I do think that overall, if you can get the Hiipoo ICC profile to work, you will see a difference in your projects with some brighter and more vibrant colors.
Do you have to use an ICC file?
Now that you have seen how to use ICC profiles for sublimation and what a difference they can make, the question is do you have to use them. The answer is no. If you are happy with the way your printer prints right now, just leave it and continue making amazing things! This is for those that want or need to correct their colors.
I find that people see the color correction instructions online or in a Facebook group and automatically think you have to have that before you can start with sublimation crafting. That is totally incorrect. I used my printer for many, many projects over several weeks with zero color correction and never had any issues with the projects. If you feel that way, then just skip this entire step and continue using your printer!
However, if you feel your purples or greens are just not coming out correctly, you might try ICC profiles for sublimation. I think you will be happy once you have the correct profile installed and it is working on your sublimation printer. Give it a try and see if your colors come out truer to what you see on your computer screen.
I hope this helps if you are looking for color correction options on your sublimation printer. ICC profiles for sublimation can sound scary and hard to use but it is actually easy! So, grab your sublimation printer and get crafty!
HI Angie! I am diving into all of your sublimation printer videos and blog posts now that I pulled the trigger on a printer. I want to make sure that the link for the ICC profile is correct… https://lingering-pine-4030.ck.page/037b7aa22f
I haven’t seen a URL like that before and the link at the bottom of the form for the privacy policy isn’t active, so I just wanted to doublecheck. I am already a subscriber and love your content and videos!
Thanks!
It is correct! I am just using my email provider to host that one!
Hi Angie. I just received your link for the ICC profile, and am hoping it works with my Epson ET 15000 printer. I am trying to locate the Pantone color chart you showed and keep getting forwarded to other links. Where did you find that chart? I’m hoping to open it in Photoshop to change the settings when I hit print. Thanks for the info. I’m new to the sublimation printer world, and have been disappointed in the color quality when I press. I’m really hoping this works!
Hi again! I just tried looking for the color chart and found it! Please disregard my previous post.
So, did this profile work for the 15000???
You can try it for any sublimation printer and see if it works. It doesn’t hurt anything.
I’m not sure if this has been asked but..
what if the sub-ink i bought off of Amazon doesn’t have it’s own site with the ICC? Maybe I’m just a dope but I can’t find anything. I bought ecodot from amazon. Also, when I want to change to a new ink, how do I do that? Do I have to flush the residual ink? I’m assuming. I’m so lost.
You can try other ICC profiles and see if they fix any color errors that you are having. If you want to change inks, you have to completely drain and flush the printer.
Hi Angie. I was wondering where you found your colour chart? Thanks!
I just googled Pantone color chart and picked one that I liked.
Hi Angie,
I have cosmos ink, asub paper and a converted wf7720. For the most part my colors are good, but I am having issues printing digital glitter. The clipart I have with gold glitter brush stokes keeps pressing with a slight green tint. I am pressing at 400 degress for 60 seconds. I have gotten myself super confused reading about ICC profiles all over different FB groups lol. I am going to try your ICC profile just to see what happens. Have you ever run into this issue?
I haven’t. But I would ask Cosmos. Perhaps they have another profile you can try.
I have an Epson 2803 and would like the icc profile I’m using hippo ink ams a sub paper
You can look on their website to see if they have one. You can also try any of them as it doesn’t have to match your printer to help your issue.
Did you find a good ICC profile for the hippo ink and sub paper? I have the same set up and I trying to get my colors right,
Have you figured anything out?
et 15000, texprint, hiipoo ink-colors all good except red. I’ve subscribed but no profile link yet. any other suggestions on red? red is dull and not vibrant
Hello. I have an et2800, hiipoo ink and a-sub paper. I would like to try the icc profile please. However, I use a Mac
Hello Kristine, I don’t have a Mac but someone in the comments above said – open Library > then ColorSync > then drop it into the Profiles folder. Worked for me
Hopefully that will help you.
I have a question about printer settings. Do you change any of the settings to select paper type and quality? (ie. Premium paper vs standard paper, Standard quality vs high)
Yes I do. High quality, matte paper setting, and turn off high speed or bidirectional.
This profile worked great on my Espon 2400 with Hiipoo ink and HTV R ONT paper. I was having trouble getting the glitter in the pictures to look like glitter on the project and this corrected that. Thank you so much!!!
I’m so glad that worked for you!
Hello, where do I find the color chart to print in photoshop? Thank you!
I used a Pantone color chart. You can find one by doing searching on google “Pantone Color Chart”. 🙂
I can’t find a chart online or on etsy that works as well as the one you have. Can you provide a copy or the link for the Pantone chart you have? Thank you!
I cannot add a link here but I just did a search for “Pantone Color Chart” in Google and there is a large variety that come up, multiple that look exactly like the one I used. I hope that helps!
Hello Angie my name is Tammy i cant find a icc profile but iam new to all this sublimation can you please send me a link to a icc prole i have a epson et2800 ecotank Thank you
You can get the ICC profile I use by clicking the link right in the post. Enter your email address and it’ll be sent right to you. I’ve had people with various EcoTank printers use and be very happy with it. It’s a great place to start. If that doesn’t work for you you can do a Google search for your printer and ICC profile + the type of ink you’re using and probably find a lot of other options to try 🙂
Hi Angie
Thank you for all your helpful blogs and tutorials.
I’m still having issues with my colors are not printing out correctly…Reds and Pinks are biggest problem.
I’m Working in MAC/Adobe Illustrator, have a converted EPSON ET-2803. I’ve downloaded Hiipoo’s ICC profile for the Hiipoo Ink, paper and printer I’m using. I’m printing in CMYK mode; tried RGB mode & SRGB too..no change. Printing on White 100% Polyester…can’t seem to find the tweak in Google searches anywhere to adjust my settings to correct the colors at all.
Any tips? Thanks in advance!
Michelle
It’s hard to help with there being so many different variables. I would definitely try a different ICC profile, you don’t have to use one that is exactly the same as your set up. Sometimes a different one will work better 🙂
When I go to my print properties on Word it does not look like yours. I don’t have all of those options.
Try going directly to the Epson website and downloading the print driver from there.
Hi,
I’ve been sublimating for about a year now printing on an Epson ET 16600 and everything has been going great. I always print on Siser Easy Subli for color designs (which is usually all I do now). It’s really a time saver for me. Now all of a sudden I am noticing that my reds are orange. I have the Hiipoo ICC profile for Hiipoo ink and paper installed have always let the printer handle the color management. Something has changed behind the scenes and I am at a loss for finding that change. I am now wondering if perhaps I need an ICC profile for Hiipoo Ink and Siser Easy Subli. I know that Easy Subli was created for use on Sawgrass printers, but I really find it hard to believe that Siser wouldn’t realize that not everyone can afford a Sawgrass. I have reached out to both Siser and Hippoo Ink with no response. I have just ordered my 4th roll of Easy Subli as I am printing a red color chart trying to find the proper settings. Before I go broke, is there a magic setting or a secret ICC profile for Easy Subli that I am unaware of? I
You can try a variety of different ICC profiles and see if one works better than another. Don’t limit yourself to exactly your ink and paper, you may find a different combo works better for you. Unfortunately it is just a matter of trial and error sometimes 🙂
I have the Epson Et4700, Epson Sublimation ink, (I bought on Amazon) and sublimation paper and I use Photoshop. Do I still need to download a ICC profile and where would I do it. Sorry, another question, what if I print from my Cricut Maker 3?
Whether or not you need an ICC profile will depend on how your prints are coming out. Sometimes the prints come out fine with regular printing. You can do a search for ICC profiles for your printer and ink combination. If you can’t find an exact one you can try different options and see which one works best.
When printing from Design Space you’ll want to choose the System Dialogue box and then you’d print like normal.
Hi, I’m new to sublimation. I have a brother sp1 printer and was just wondering if the icc profile is already set up on it. I think my colors can be a little more vivid, but don’t know how to brighten them
There is no ICC profile for the Brother sublimation printer. Have you pressed the print onto 100% white polyester to see if it’s the print or the blank you’re using?
I have a epson 2800..hippo in and a-sub paper and can NOT get a good icc profile…can you help
All you can really do is look for them online and try different ones to see if you can find one that fixes your issues. Have you tried just doing a manual color correction? Some people do that as well!