Datacolor User to User Support Group.

>opening the original and a copy in Photoshop, previewing the copy and modifying 
the previewed copy until it looks like the unpreviewed original.

Bob,

Your above workflow is exactly what is recommend by many. So you are right on with your 
observation that the softproof makes the image look flat...especially with matte paper 
softproofing. I also use the same method. 

Though one could build profiles to add saturation or mute colors or tone an image. That's 
the beauty of building your own profiles.

Best,
John