Proof-document formatting to enable full-capability remote proofing in a completely standard proofing station

A method of making a preproduction proof of an image, interrelating three devices, namely an imaging device that has been used as an image monitor to create a proofing file for an image, and a first output device that is a production hardcopy printer which is intended to be used as a target output device to produce a production hardcopy output of the image, and a second output device that is a proof generating device;

• said proofing file comprising at least two sets of data, namely an imaging-device signal set representing the image and an embedded color pro-file of the imaging device;
• said method comprising the steps of:
• obtaining color profiles associated with:
• said imaging device that has been used as an image monitor,
• said production hardcopy printer, and
• said proof generating device;
• combining the monitor and printer color profiles to form a single composite color profile that represents a conversion from monitor-control signals to perceived appearance of hard-copy color that will be seen in the production hardcopy output of the image;
• and
• using the single composite color profile and the proof-generating-device color profile to control said proof generating device;
• wherein the proof generating device receives signals that include information representing at least three color profiles, namely said profiles associated with the imaging device, the production hardcopy printer, and the proof generating device respectively.