1. Overview and Important Notes

1.1 Important Reminder

In 99% of cases, we do not recommend regular users to fine-tune ICC profiles.
This is because fine-tuning involves complex color management knowledge. Improper operation may lead to:

• Printed colors not matching expectations;
• Certain colors not printing correctly;
• Wasting large amounts of ink and media.

1.2 Our Recommendation

If fine-tuning is absolutely necessary, please contact the LINKO technical support team as soon as possible.

They will provide professional evaluation and guidance.

1.3 Applicable Scope

This guide is recommended for users of LINKO brand DTF or UV printers, and for those who have some basic understanding of color management.

Do not use this guide for other brands or unrelated printing scenarios.

2. What Is ICC Profile Fine-Tuning?

2.1 Definition

Fine-tuning is a process to further optimize color output based on the existing ICC profile.

It allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation to make printed results more accurate.

2.2 Why Do You Need It?

In some special cases, the default ICC profile may not fully meet your needs.
Fine-tuning can help:

• Improve color accuracy;
• Fix visible color shifts;
• Adapt to special materials or inks.

3. Preparation Before Fine-Tuning

3.1 Confirm ICC Profile Is Imported

Make sure you have already imported the correct ICC profile into Flexi (PP).
If not, please follow the instructions in the “Flexi (PP) ICC Profile Import Guide.”

3.2 Prepare Image File

Save the image file you plan to print on your computer, and make sure it is easy to locate.

3.3 Understand the Risks

Fine-tuning may affect the color gamut, output color balance, and gray scale.
If you are not familiar with how it works, it’s safer to keep the default settings.

4. Fine-Tuning Operation Steps

4.1 Launch the Software

Double-click the FlexiPRINT LINKO Edition icon on your desktop.

4.2 Add a Print Job

In the top menu bar, click the Job▼ icon and select Add Job.

4.3 Import Image File

Click Add in the pop-up dialog box. Locate and select the image file from your computer.

4.4 Open Job Properties

Double-click the job name in the list to open the Job Properties window.

4.5 Open the Color Adjustment Panel

In the Job Properties window, click the 7th icon, labeled Color Adjustment.
This is the main panel for fine-tuning the ICC profile.

5. ICC Profile Fine-Tuning Details

5.1 Select Color Channel

Under the Channel setting, choose:

5.1.1 Single Channel

You can select Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, or Black to fine-tune one color individually.

5.1.2 All Channels

If you choose All, any changes will apply to all color channels at the same time.

✅ We recommend starting with “All” to get a general result. You can fine-tune individual channels later if needed.

5.2 Fine-Tune ICC Profile

5.2.1 Input

This means the original brightness or tone level of a color in your image file.

5.2.2 Output

This tells the printer how much ink to spray in order to recreate that brightness or tone on paper.

5.2.3 How to Adjust

• On the screen, you will see a curve. This curve tells the printer how to output each brightness level in your image.
• You can click or drag points on this curve. Each point represents a tone area: some control the bright areas, some the dark areas, and some the midtones.
• When you adjust a point, you are giving instructions to the printer.

For example:
“For this brightness range in the image, the print looks too dark. Please spray more ink to make it brighter.”
Or:
“This area looks too bright. Please use less ink to make it darker.”
▲Only adjust 1–2 points at a time, and always print a test sample to check the result.

5.3 Adjust ICC Contrast

Use the Contrast setting to adjust the difference between the bright and dark areas in your image:

• Increase: Makes highlights brighter and shadows darker. This creates a stronger visual impact and a more vivid look.
• Decrease: Makes the transition between light and dark areas smoother. The image may look flatter, but it will show more detail in both highlights and shadows.

▲This option is only available when All color channels is selected, because it affects the contrast of the entire image.

5.4 Adjust ICC Vividness

Use the Vividness setting to control the overall color vividness of the image:

• Higher value: Increases color saturation and brightness, but may reduce color accuracy and result in loss of fine details.
• Lower value: Reduces saturation and brightness, but may improve contrast and reveal more subtle details.

▲This option is only available when All color channels is selected, because it affects the vividness of the entire image.

5.5 Advanced ICC Settings

If you need more precise and comprehensive color control, click the Advanced button.

▲This feature is only available when All color channels is selected.

5.5.1 Brightness

This controls how bright or dark the colors appear, especially in shadow areas:

• Higher values make all colors, including dark tones, appear brighter.
• Lower values make the image darker overall.

5.5.2 Global Hue

This setting adjusts the overall color tone of the image.

• The value range is from -100% to +100%.
• Negative values shift the tone toward cooler colors (such as blue), while positive values shift it toward warmer colors (such as brown).

5.5.3 Saturation

This controls how vivid the colors are in the image:

• A higher value increases color amount but may reduce contrast and detail.
• A lower value reduces color intensity but can enhance contrast and show more fine details.

5.5.4 Reset

If you’re not satisfied with your adjustments or want to start over, click the Reset button to return all sliders to their default values.

6. Save ICC Fine-Tuning Settings

Once all fine-tuning adjustments are done, click the OK button to save your settings and close the dialog window.

You have now completed all ICC profile fine-tuning steps.
If you need further assistance, please contact the LINKO technical support team.