In PostScript Level 1 (1985), only RGB colors without reference can be defined (i.e. colors without a profile, or device-dependent colors).

From Level 2 (1989, before ColorSync and ICC), following device-dependent colors, prefixed by Device, can be specified:

• DeviceRGB;
• DeviceCMYK;
• DeviceGray.

From Level 2, as well as allowing the specification of device color, PostScript introduced a structure known as Color Space Array (CSA), the PostScript profile for the color. Colors referred to a CSA are known as device-independent.

The CSA exists only as a language instruction, not as a file, and is expressed in terms of the XYZ CIE 1931 space (so this colors are called CIEBased).

The CSA has the information to translate the color data from the origin space to the XYZ space (analogous to the "device to space" part of an ICC profile). It is either inserted into the PostScript print stream when the image is printed or is resident in an EPS image. No other graphic format supports CSAs (although PDF supports a very similar description).

In PostScript Level 2 device-dependent color is expressed by a CSA of either one or three channels. A CSA of this type can be used to define a large number of color spaces, including all of those that can be expressed with ICC profiles and many more (in fact rarely used). A CSA may show the color values expressed in absolute coordinates (eg Lab or XYZ) or in a particular RGB or other space. The following are the CSAs supported at PostScript Level 2:

• CIEBased A (one channel), for example:
  • gray or monochrome;
• CIEBasedABC (three channels), for example:
  • XYZ with a specific white point;
  • Lab with a specific white point (defined in XYZ terms);
  • YIQ (American NTSC television standard);
  • YUV (European SECAM and PAL television standard);
  • RGB (called CalibratedRGB to differentiate from DeviceRGB), for example:
    • sRGB;
    • AdobeRGB.

PostScript Level 3 (in fact from Level 2 version 2016) also supports 3 and 4 channel CSAs; the latter is normally used to define a CMYK space, but is in theory usable for other special spaces:

• CIEBasedDEF (three channels, table form), for example:
  • LUV;
  • RGB in table form;
• CIEBasedDEFG (four channels, table form), for example:
  • CMYK (CalibratedCMYK as opposed to DeviceCMYK), e.g.:
    • Euroscale Coated (Euopean standard);
    • Swop (American standard).

A CSA can be incorporated into a PostScript file, EPS or PostScript print stream which is sent to the printer by the applications which generate their own PostScript code or by the PostScript driver (LaserWriter & AdobePS on MacOS), if it generates the PostScript code.

An application can, for example, convert an ICC source profile into a CSA and transmit it, together with the image data, to the PostScript rip, where the CRD resides.

Some applications are able to insert the CSA of the source space into the PostScript print stream or into an EPS file:

• Photoshop
  • from 2.5 to 4: the RGB CSA is generated from Monitor Setup value; CMYK CSA does not exists, so Photoshop converts CMYK colors to CSA Lab; in each case the CSA is inserted automatically and cannot be removed;
  • 5: when "PostScript Color Management" activated inserts a RGB or CMYK CSA;
  • 6: when "PostScript Color Management" is selected as Print Space inserts a RGB or CMYK CSA;
• InDesign
  • when "Use Device Independent Color When Printing" is activated inserts a RGB or CMYK CSA into the print stream for every object;
  • can read the CSA in an imported EPS, but cannot visualize or edit it;
• Page Maker 6.52
  • when "Manage Composites on Printer" is activated inserts a CSA for every object;
  • cannot read a CSA embedded in an imported EPS;
• LinoColor
  • cannot insert a CSA in a EPS file;
• XPress
  • cannot insert a CSA in a EPS file;
  • cannot read a CSA in an imported EPS;
• Illustrator
  • cannot insert a CSA in a EPS file;
  • cannot read a CSA in an imported EPS.