How to Embed a Color Profile in Adobe Photoshop

When preparing files for professional printing, embedding a color profile ensures your colors are interpreted correctly during production. This guide explains how to check, convert, and export a file from Adobe Photoshop with an embedded color profile.

Before you begin

Before exporting your file, confirm the following:

• Your image edits are complete
• You are working with the final, print-ready version of the file
• Your file is intended for RGB printing

Step 1: Check the current color profile

To see which color profile is currently assigned to your file:

1. Open your file in Photoshop.
2. Go to Edit → Assign Profile.
3. Review the profile listed under Source Space.

If a profile is listed, your file already has a color profile assigned. If you see Untagged RGB, the file does not currently have a color profile.

Step 2: Convert to Adobe RGB (1998) if needed

If your file is not already using Adobe RGB (1998), we recommend converting it before exporting.

1. Go to Edit → Convert to Profile.
2. Set Destination Space to Adobe RGB (1998).
3. Leave the default conversion settings selected.
4. Click OK.

Important: Use Convert to Profile, not Assign Profile, when changing color spaces. Assigning a profile can cause visible color shifts.

Step 3: Confirm RGB color mode

Make sure your file is in RGB color mode:

1. Go to Image → Mode.
2. Confirm RGB Color is selected.

If CMYK is selected, switch to RGB before exporting.

Step 4: Export with the color profile embedded

When saving or exporting your file, confirm the color profile is embedded.

Save As (JPEG or TIFF)

1. Go to File → Save As.
2. Select your file format.
3. Ensure Embed Color Profile is checked.
4. Save the file.

Export As (JPEG)

1. Go to File → Export → Export As.
2. Select JPEG.
3. Confirm Convert to sRGB is unchecked if you are using Adobe RGB.
4. Export the file.

If you see an option labeled Embed Color Profile or Include ICC Profile, it should be enabled.

Common issues

The file shows “Untagged RGB”

This means the file does not have a color profile. Convert the file to Adobe RGB (1998) and export again with the profile embedded.

Colors changed after exporting

This usually happens when Assign Profile was used instead of Convert to Profile. Revert if possible and convert the profile correctly.

The uploader says my file has no color profile

Double-check that Embed Color Profile was enabled during export. Re-export the file if needed.

Quick checklist

• RGB color mode
• Adobe RGB (1998) selected when available
• Profile converted, not assigned
• Color profile embedded on export

Need help?

If you are unsure whether your Photoshop file is print-ready, contact our team and include:

• The file you are uploading
• Your export method (Save As or Export As)
• A brief description of the issue you are seeing

Contact: Support@thestackhouse.com