The color profile of an image input or output device (scanner, monitor, printer, printing press, etc.) is an element of color management which indicates how the color information supplied by the device behaves with respect to a superordinate, device-neutral color system (e.g. the CIELAB color space). Manufacturers supply color profiles with professional devices. To ensure high-quality results, profiles need to be created individually using special instruments.

See Profile, ICC Profile

There are two types of profiles: device and file. A device profile tells hardware and software how to interpret and render color and tone based on an image file's color profile. An image file's color profile tells hardware and software what color space is associated with the image. A color space is a predefined set of visible colors. For more in depth information about profiles, click here.

a file that your computer uses to understand what it needs to know about any given color space