A
system and related techniques
expose color printing resources to applications, utilities,
operating system and other resources, to automatically detect output capabilities as well as to permit integrated print functions which preserve
metadata and other context within the printing
workflow. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, a set of applications may invoke or access a print subsystem to transmit one or more image files to a
laser, inkjet, dye sublimation or other printer or other
output device. According to embodiments of the invention, the print subsystem may interface to a
color management engine and / or a non-
color image management engine to automatically negotiate a set of enhanced or optimized print parameters, such as
gamma correction, white balance correction, media selection or other options or parameters, for instance for
color printing on
photographic paper. Because those print or other output capabilities may be automatically detected or discovered, those enhanced settings may in many cases be generated transparently, without user intervention. In addition,
metadata surrounding the image file including for instance
file size, date and
time information, editing status, printing status and other parameters may be preserved and made available to print drivers and other levels of resources in the printing chain, in both directions so that context may be consistently preserved and applications may enjoy extensive or complete control over the image printing process.