Datacolor User to User Support Group.

Hi

I would like to discuss the best workflow for color management on a 
step by step basis. May I start with a proposal?!

I am working with
- Nikon Capture (or any RAW-converter)
- Photoshop CS2
- ColorVision Spyder2Pro
- ColorVision PrintFixPro
- Canon iP8500
- Nikon D2x

Step 1
Color calibration of the computer screen with ColorVision Spyder2Pro; 
ADOBE gamma deactivated in the start-up menu (Windows XP); Result: 
Screen shows colors perfectly calibrated

Step 2
Define color space of the fotographs to be taken (Adobe RGB); shoot 
RAW.

Step 3
Transfer fotographs from the camera to the computer; verify that 
information of the selected colorprofile (step 2) remains unchanged.

Step 4 (based on Nikon Capture)
Make the basic picture adjustements (like white balance); Optional: 
Change colorspace; Save final files as jpeg (within the preferred 
colorspace).

Step 5
Calibrate your printer/paper-combination with PrintFixPro;

Step 6
Open jepg-files (step 4) in Photoshop CS2; make the final 
adjustements.

Step 7 
(1) In Photoshop, define the printer profile from step 5 to the 
picture to view it on screen in the colors of the printer output.

(2) Make the final adjustements.

(3) Print by letting Photoshop determine the color management of the 
printer and choose again the printer profile (step 5) as the relevant 
color management.

(4) Verify that the Canon software chooses not automatically a 
default color profile (manuell / deactivated Canon-ICM-profiles of 
the printer)

(5) Print

I think most of you will agree on step 1 to 6.
As far as I can see, step 7 makes us most of the problems. Is this  
workflow really the "king's road"? I am asking that because there are 
many ways to create systematic errors – and I am still not convinced 
by the results I am getting by this procedure.

Kind regards
Rolf