A device link profile combines a source color space (simulation (reference) profile) and a destination color space (media profile) into one profile. Device link profiles tend to produce more accurate results than when two separate profiles are applied.

The source profile determines whether the media profile or the device link profile is applied during job processing. For jobs with an embedded CMYK source profile, the device link profile is applied. For jobs with an embedded RGB source profile, the media profile is applied.