A DeviceLink conversion is a colour management process in which a direct colour transformation is carried out between two specific colour profiles. In contrast to conventional profile conversion, in which a source profile is converted into a working profile such as a Profile Connection Space (PCS, usually LAB) and then into a target profile, DeviceLink conversion enables colour information to be transferred directly between two colour profiles without taking the diversions via a PCS.
A DeviceLink conversion offers more control and precision as it is specifically optimised for colour transformation between two specific colour spaces. Primary colours and secondary colours are usually retained, but the colour information required for an exact match between the devices is taken into account and other aspects of colour management such as colour space or rendering intents are neglected.
This type of conversion is particularly useful when colour reproduction between certain devices is critical, e.g. when transferring print data for advertisements in different media. For example, when a TV station launches a new series, adverts have to appear in media with a wide variety of printing processes. Sometimes in newspaper printing, sometimes in offset, sometimes in gravure printing, which often creates difficulties for the agency producing the adverts. The solution is to create all ads in their original colour space such as ISOCoatedV2 and simply adjust the sizes of the ads, and then have a service provider convert them into the different target colour spaces via DeviceLink.
Proof GmbH as DeviceLink conversion service provider and proof service provider then receives the order to convert different advertisements differently via DeviceLink, to subsequently proof the converted data in the target colour space, and then to deliver proofs and DeviceLink-converted PDF data to the customer for onward dispatch to the various magazines and newspapers.
DeviceLink conversions are carried out with special software tools, colour servers or colour management solutions that support this function. A DeviceLink profile is created that enables a direct colour transformation between the two device profiles. This DeviceLink profile can then be used to convert colours between the corresponding devices precisely and efficiently. Proof GmbH relies on DeviceLinks from ColorLogic, a manufacturer that offers optimum expertise in the conversion of colour spaces.
DeviceLink conversions are a colour management technique that requires special knowledge and experience. They should be applied and tested carefully in order to achieve the desired results and avoid undesirable effects. Before you make faulty DeviceLink conversions yourself, you should rely on specialists.
In the Proof GmbH shop you can order DeviceLink PDF file conversions directly, which are carried out with DeviceLink profiles from Colorlogic
More articles related to this topic:
Proof.de is featured twice in the “Fogra Aktuell” magazine
In the current issue of Fogra News “Fogra Aktuell” Proof GmbH is involved in two places. Firstly, a summary of the Fogra report on our first FOGRA55 certification for seven-colour printing with extended colour space in CMYKOGV appeared. You can also find more information on our FOGRA55 certification on the Fogra website: https://fogra.org/en/press-releases/fogracert-erste-cpc-zertifizierung-fuer-fogra55-cmykogv-330 and on proofing.de: And secondly, there was a report on the completion of the research project for textile digital printing, FOGRA58, in which we were allowed to investigate and test the proof capability of the new textile … read more
New PANTONE Formula Guides with incorrect ink formulations
Several errors have crept into the new PANTONE 2023 fan decks. In both the PANTONE Solid Coated and the Solid Uncoated color fans, there are colours for which the new ink formulations are incorrect. In the PANTONE Formula Guide Solid Coated fan 2023, PANTONE 107 C and PANTONE 108 C have absolutely identical ink recipes, as well as PANTONE 113 C and PANTONE 114 C. As the colors differ, this cannot be the correct. Several errors in the PANTONE Solid Uncoated fan 2023 In the PANTONE Solid Uncoated fan 2023 … read more
New certified proof papers at proof.de
In recent years, various problems have arisen with our previous proof paper supplier. On the one hand, we sometimes had to wait more than three months for paper deliveries; on the other hand, we sometimes had significant problems with batch-to-batch discrepancies, surface defects and much more. After lengthy deliberations, we decided in December to replace all the paper. We therefore received pallets of new paper at the turn of the year, which we are now gradually incorporating into our production. There will be no hard cut, but the new papers … read more
Proof.de: New video online
In this short image video we – the Proof GmbH – introduce us and our work. Find out who we are and what drives us. What do you think of our short film?
MYIRO-9: New Spectrophotometer from KonicaMinolta in action
Over the last few months, we at Proof.de have been thinking about further improving our already very good colour measurement technology in terms of speed and measurement precision. Relatively quickly it became clear that only two devices would come into question: The KonicaMinolta MYIRO-9, the successor of the former FD-9, or the X-Rite ISIS 2 XL. The starting point: Since we at Proof GmbH have 5 proofing devices, the calibration of targets for profile optimisation is a time-critical undertaking for us. Therefore, we had been looking around for an upgrade of … read more
“Digital First” often means “Colour Problems Second!”
Whether it’s a large global corporation or a small company, the following often applies to designs or redesigns today: we develop everything for digital first.
Proof GmbH 2021 Certified Again by Fogra with Fogra “Spot cert”
In 2021 proof.de was again Fogra certified including Fogra “Spot cert” certification, i.e. for the display of spot colours such as PANTONE C and U.
Current Proof Standards 2025
Offset and Newsprint ISO Coated v2 (ECI) / ISO Coated v2 300% (ECI) Profile: ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc Standard for glossy and matte coated paper Paper: Types 1 and 2, gloss and matte coated Tone value increase curves A (CMY) and B (K) as defined in ISO 12647-2:2004 Characterisation Data: FOGRA39L ISOUncoated Profile: ISOUncoated.icc Standard for uncoated white natural paper Paper: paper grade 4, uncoated white offset, dot gain curves C (CMY) and D (K) from ISO 12647-2: 2004 Characterisation Data: FOGRA29L PSOCoatedV3 / Fogra 51 Profile: PSOcoated_v3.icc The successor of ISOCoatedV2 for glossy … read more
We passed the first proof certification for the 7C proof under FOGRA55
A few days ago Proof GmbH was the first company to be certified for proofing for the new 7C exchange colour space FOGRA55. Fogra has developed characterisation data for extended multicolour printing with the printing colours CMYKOGV – i.e. cyan, magenta, yellow, black (contrast), orange, green and violet – FOGRA55 as part of a research project over the past few years. The characterisation data and the ICC profile Ref-ECG-CMYKOGV_FOGRA55_TAC300.icc have been published on the Fogra website in recent weeks. We have now carried out the certification via GMG ColorProof, as … read more
New iPhone colour measuring devices: xade nano+ in test
A new generation of colour measuring devices is entering the market: in contrast to the classic measuring devices, which are available as a fully encapsulated system either as a colourimeter or as a spectrophotometer, and then supply the data to a computer via an interface or app or display it directly, the new generation of colour measuring devices consist only of lighting and software, with the optics of a modern iPhone from Apple being used as the sensor. Until now, there have been two categories of measuring devices on the … read more