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

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
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
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?
Today I received an email in which PANTONE asked how it should orientate its products and services in the future. The users were asked which countries, industries and company sizes they come from, but also what PANTONE products should look like in the future and what customers would be prepared to pay for PANTONE services in the future. Question: How much can PANTONE services cost? PANTONE appears to be orientating itself on the PANTONE Connect prices: All price queries have the lowest price category < $ 7,- / month, i.e. … read more
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.
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
This year we once again created proofs for Fogra certification and sent them to Munich-Aschheim for testing. With these proof prints, which we print according to three different proof standards and on three different papers, we point out that we not only deliver excellent proof quality through internal quality controls and checks, but that the quality of our proofs is also measured and confirmed by external experts. We have now had test prints certified by Fogra for the 12th time. We have also been “Spot-cert” certified for the display of … read more
Peter Jäger is an expert in colour management that reliably works across the boundaries of printers and monitors, web and print – essentially: cross-media.
Even almost 9 years after the introduction of the successor colour space PSOCoatedV3, ISOCoatedV2 / FOGRA39 is still the most widespread colour space in Europe. We at Proof GmbH count around 200 jobs from time to time for the German Printing and Media Industries Federation, among others. In the last count, proofs in ISOCoatedV2 accounted for around 68% of all proof jobs at our company. This is a clear sign of the continued widespread use of the colour space. ISOCoatedV2: From the classic colour space to the beacon of the … read more
Shortly after Adobe’s announcement to remove PANTONE colours from their products, PANTONE removed the popular PANTONE Find a Color from their website