Disclosed is/are printing system(s) suitable for photo studio(s) and having capabilities permitting proper management of print job execution history or histories, printer status(es), and/or the like. Photo studio(s) 1 has print server machine(s) 2 and plurality of client machines 5A, 5B connected via LAN(s) 4. Client machine(s) 5A, 5B create print job data which is received by print server machine(s) 2, the print job(s) being assigned to plurality of printers 3A, 3B where it or they is or are executed. Print server machine(s) 2 manage print job execution history, printer status, and/or other such print information. User(s) may employ WWW browser(s) of client machine(s) 5A, 5B to access print information at print server machine(s) 2. Furthermore, print server machine(s) 2 automatically inform client machine(s) 5A, 5B upon completion of execution of print job(s) and/or upon occurrence of printer error(s). From a multiplicity of photo studio(s), center server machine(s) 8 gather, by way of the Internet, print information of respective photo studio(s), create web page(s) indicating status(es) of operations at respective studio(s), and make same available to respective studio(s) and/or dealer(s). Occurrence of error(s) at respective studio(s) may be communicated in real time from center server machine(s) 8 to user(s) of respective studio(s) via electronic mail.

An apparatus, method, signal and computer program product is provided to generate an image file that can correctly reproduce image data at a predetermined output device. The image file includes an image data storage area that stores image data, and a control information storage area stores output control information. The image data is stored in JPEG format for example, and output control information is stored in TIFF format. The output device control information is information set so as to be able to obtain an optimal image output results according to a paired-combination of the input device and output device, taking into consideration their respective image processing characteristics.

Disclosed is a printing system suitable for use at photo studio(s) and permitting printing of color photograph(s) as desired by user(s). Client machine(s) 5A, 5B may acquire photo image(s) from digital camera(s) 6 and may carry out editing (retouching and/or print layout/design editing) of photo image(s). At the start of editing, working color profile(s) may be set for photo image(s) editing operations, and color matching may be carried out on photo image(s) using color profile(s) for digital camera(s) 6 and working color profile(s). During editing, such photo image(s) may be displayed at monitor(s), at which time color matching may be carried out on such photo image(s) using monitor color profile(s) and color profile(s) for such photo image(s). After editing is completed, edited photo image(s) and working color profile(s) for same may be sent to print server machine(s) 2. Print server machine(s) 2 may carry out color matching using printer color profile(s) for output printer(s) and working color profile(s) for such photo image(s), may create print image(s) for such photo image(s), and may send such print image(s) to output printer(s) 3A and/or 3B.

A method for processing a digital image channel which is part of a digital image to compensate for MTF of one or more devices in an imaging chain from capture to printing including providing the MTF of the one or more devices in the imaging chain; providing a gain factor, using the MTF to provide an aim response; providing a filter from the aim response; and applying the filter to the digital image channel to provide a new digital image channel.

Disclosed are systems and methods for print optimization. In one arrangement, a system and a method pertain to determining a source of print data, determining whether a print profile is available for the print data source, and manipulating the print data using the print profile if it is determined that there is a print profile for the print data source.