Calibration is generally accomplished with a combination of hardware and software used to optimize settings for a printer/ink/media combination to known specifications in order to achieve accurate and consistent reproduction. Some printers include closed-loop calibration to maintain factory-set color balancing for consistent color fidelity print after print on approved papers. Others include spectrophotometer hardware and software to calibrate installed ink on custom papers. On the Macintosh, built-in ColorSync software manages calibration profiles.
At the very minimum, Reactive Imaging recommends that customers perform regular display calibration. A device that measures colors flashed on the screen builds a custom profile for reasonably consistent color viewing. This is important when editing and making color assessments based on what is seen on screen. Software applications used to edit photos, design artwork, and layout pages may also include additional color management options.