************************************* IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MAC OS X 10.6 USERS ************************************

Some people who are using Mac OS X 10.6.x are reporting unexpected and unsatisfactory results when printing with their custom printer profiles.  If you are using this OS, click  HERE  for more detailed information about this problem, possible solutions, and how to correctly print a target image for measurement and evaluation.  OSX 10.6.3 was released on March 29, 2010.  To obtain the best results with your custom profiles, make sure you have upgraded to this latest OS release.

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What You Need To Send

Read the instructions that you download with your target files very carefully.  Once you have printed all pages of the target image with the specific printer and specific paper you want profiled, complete the order form and choose a name for your ICC profile that will make sense to you.  Typically, it is a good idea to always include in the name some reference to both the printer and the paper you are profiling.  For example, if you want a profile for your Epson Stylus Photo 2200 with Premium Luster Photo Paper, you might consider a name like:  “SP2200_PremLuster” – or perhaps something shorter like: “2200_PL.”  Be as creative as you want with your own naming conventions – whatever makes sense to you, as long as you don't exceed 20 characters.  Whatever you choose for your profile name will be "sandwiched" between a suffix and a prefix that I provide.  The suffix will always be "-mm-yy", to signify the month and year of creation.  The prefix will always be "A -", which will cause any profiles I have created for you to appear at the top of the list when you are choosing a profile. It will also group all of the profiles I have created in one place at the top of the list.  Make sure you write your choice for a profile name in the designated place on the order form, and also in the designated place on the left side of each page of the target image that you print.  There is also a place there to write your name.  If you print more than one target, make sure you include a separate order form for each profile you are ordering.

Examine each printed target carefully.  The color patches should be free of banding and/or unexpected gaps, and you should allow sufficient time for the ink to dry thoroughly before you pack it up for shipment. There is a designated space along the left edge of the target image for you to write (1) your name and the (2) profile name.  Be careful – it is important to refrain from touching the printed surface of the target image.  When you write your profile name and information on the target page, DO NOT use a felt tip pen, as it may bleed or smear, making the target unusable. It is best to use a fine ballpoint pen or pencil – please print this information carefully so it will be easy for me to read.  I don’t want to get your profile name wrong!

Package everything carefully so the target image(s) enclosed won’t be damaged during shipment.  Protect each target image with a sheet of blank paper against the printed side, so that nothing will rub against it while in transit. Since the largest target image is printed on 8.5”X11” paper, you can use a cardboard document mailer – they are available from the post office, from most commercial shippers, or from just about any store that sells mailing/shipping supplies.  A standard 9” x 12” manila envelope is also sufficient, as long as you protect the contents from being damaged in transit by enclosing one or more pieces of stiff paper or cardboard. If your printed targets arrive bent, crumpled, or torn, they will NOT be usable, and it will be impossible to make profiles from them.

Send all printed pages of the target along with the order form to the following address:

Rick Ashford

1603 Millbrook Drive

Johnson City, TN  37604-1483

Any method of shipment is okay – but I STRONGLY recommend against using First Class U.S. Mail.  I have had two customers' target images lost in transit using 1st Class Mail.  However,I have had good results with shipping methods that provide tracking and delivery confirmation -- like U.S. Priority Mail or UPS Ground.  And expedited delivery options like Express Mail, Next Day, or 2nd Day – by UPS or FedEx – will also work just fine.

When you send me the package, also send an email message to  this email address , which contains the following information:

When you send the printed targets and the above-referenced email, make sure you visit the Purchase page on my website and follow the procedures for completing the payment for your profile(s). You have a number of payment options available, including cash, check, or U.S. postal money order.  But I prefer that you use my link to PayPal – the safest and most secure online payment system available. Here, you can pay by credit card, debit card, or by a transfer from your bank account.  Among the benefits of using PayPal… you will receive an email receipt immediately, showing the date and amount of payment.  Also, I will be able to process your order as soon as it arrives, without delay.  Sending a personal check is acceptable, but processing and delivering your order will take much longer while I wait for your check to clear.  There will be a chargeback fee if your check is returned for any reason. I will accept cash, but I discourage sending cash in the mail.

I will deliver your ordered profile(s) as soon as possible after I receive your target(s).  The majority of profiles are delivered within one working day of receipt, and frequently delivery will occur on the very same day.  But unless there are unusual problems or circumstances beyond my control, it has never taken me more than a few working days to process an order and deliver profiles.

Delivery of your order consists of sending you an email with a personal link to a folder on my website, where you can download your profiles. All the profiles you ordered will be compressed together in a single ZIP file. You will have access to download your profile(s) from my website for a week.

ProfileMaker Pro allows for the creation of three variants of each profile, so you will actually receive three separate versions of each profile that you order.  ProfileMaker Pro defines these profile variants as Gamut Mapping Methods:  Colorful, Chroma Plus, and Classic.  Here is ProfileMaker Pro's actual definition of each of these variants:

• The Colorful Gamut Mapping Method, new with ProfileMaker Pro version 5.x, is notable for maximum color saturations and particularly clean primary colors.

• The focus of emphasis in the Chroma Plus variant is on higher chroma in color reproduction, while keeping detail losses to a minimum.  This was the default profile available with ProfileMaker Pro version 4.x, still offered as a variant with version 5.x.

• The Classic variant incorporates the Gamut Mapping method that was used in ProfileMaker version 3.x, which places heavy emphasis on lightness reproduction and thus on preserving detail reproduction in the entire color space.

I strongly recommend that you try each of these three variants of your profile.  Each one has its strengths -- and weaknesses -- and you may find that some of your images will be rendered with more pleasing results, depending on the profile variant you choose to use.  I would also suggest that you try the different profile variants in the same order they are listed above. You are most likely to get the best results with the newest profile variant -- that is, the Colorful version.  The differences between them will probably be subtle.  But with some of your images, you may find that you obtain more satisfying printed results with one of the older profile variants.  It is very much a matter of personal taste.  So please give them all a try.

The printed targets and order forms that you send me will become the property of Profiles by Rick as soon as I receive them, and these documents will NOT be returned to you.  I will save them, along with the profiles I create for you – for 30 days – in case there are any problems that we need to deal with involving your profiles.  (See more details in the section entitled "If You Have Problems…").