Set up color management in Photoshop

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

Synchronize settings across Adobe apps and configure the Color Settings dialog to ensure consistent color display.

Proper color management configuration ensures colors appear consistently across Adobe applications and prepares your documents for accurate output.

These procedures configure how Photoshop interprets and displays colors in your documents. Synchronizing settings across Adobe applications ensures colors look identical whether you're working in Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. The Color Settings dialog controls which color working spaces Photoshop uses and how it handles files with embedded profiles.

If you use multiple Adobe Creative Cloud applications, synchronize your color settings first through Adobe Bridge. This ensures consistency across your entire workflow. If you only use Photoshop or need application-specific settings, configure the Color Settings dialog directly.

  • Adobe Creative Cloud applications installed
  • Adobe Bridge installed (for synchronization across apps)
  • Basic understanding of your output requirements (web, print, or both)

Synchronize color settings across Adobe apps

Select File > Browse in Bridge to open Adobe Bridge from any Creative Cloud application or launch Adobe Bridge directly from your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (macOS).

Select Edit > Color Settings.

Select a color setting from the list that matches your workflow needs.

Select Apply to synchronize the settings across all Adobe applications.

Tip

If the default settings don't meet your needs, select Show Expanded List Of Color Setting Files to view additional presets. For custom settings files provided by a print service provider, select Show Saved Color Settings Files.

Configure Photoshop color settings

Select Edit > Color Settings.

Select a color setting from the Settings menu that matches your output requirements.

Hover over any setting name to view its description at the bottom of the dialog box.

Select OK to apply the color settings.

The color setting you select determines which color working spaces Photoshop uses, how the application handles files with embedded color profiles, and how the color management system converts colors between different color spaces. Most users find the default presets sufficient for their workflow needs.

Note

If you work with multiple Adobe applications, synchronize your color settings before working with new or existing documents to ensure consistent color appearance across all applications.

For advanced users working with custom output profiles or specific color workflows, you can customize individual options in the Color Settings dialog. However, Adobe recommends using preset configurations unless you have specific color management requirements and expertise.