A color management system (CMS) performs translation between the color space of a source device, such as a monitor or scanner, and the color space of the destination device, such as printer.

A CMS compares the source object color space to the output device color space and adjusts the colors in the document to maintain consistency across different devices. A CMS typically uses a device-independent color space, such as CIELAB, as its intermediate color space.

A CMS needs information about the source object's color space and the printer's gamut to perform its translation. This information is provided through profiles, often created by the manufacturers of computer monitors or printers. CMS conversion adjusts a job to preserve the appearance on a different device, such as a printer.

Windows and Mac operating systems support an industry-standard format developed by the International Color Consortium (ICC). Many high-end software applications also incorporate a color management system. Color Management, the Fiery server CMS, supports the industry-standard ICC profile format.

You can use the optional Fiery Color Profiler Suite software package to create, evaluate, edit, and test color profiles that comply with the ICC standard. Fiery Color Profiler Suite includes a spectrophotometer that you can use to create profiles.