> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://koyodraw.gitbook.io/drawtab/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://koyodraw.gitbook.io/drawtab/tablet-reviews/color-of-cintiq-16-2025-dtk168.md).

# Color of Cintiq 16 (2025) DTK168

{% hint style="success" %}
Verdict:

You don't need to recalibrate Wacom Cintiq 16 (2025).

The default sRGB mode in the OSD profile is good.
{% endhint %}

## How to use sRGB mode

### Option 1: default sRGB in OSD profile

{% hint style="info" %}
This pen display is factory calibrated, it's good out of the box.
{% endhint %}

Set the Color mode on Cintiq OSD to sRGB at 35% brightness (120 nits) and it's good to go.

Do NOT use the sRGB clamp while using sRGB mode!

### Option 2: sRGB clamp & color profile

{% hint style="danger" %}
This option is for advanced users, do not use this unless you know what you're doing.
{% endhint %}

Set the OSD profile to Native or Custom, then use an sRGB clamp.

You may need to set all other software to Native or the monitor's color profile when the sRGB clamping tool is enabled, because most graphics software already clamps the viewport to sRGB.

Unless your job requires this, don't even think about it if you value your sanity.

The color reproduction conflicts between the clamp, the monitor's color profile, the software viewports, and even the image thumbnails in the file manager aren't worth the effort.

### Option 3: Wacom Color Manager

{% hint style="warning" %}
Sadly, this option is not available for Cintiq non-pro like Cintiq 2025.
{% endhint %}

Wacom Color Manager can write the calibrated profile directly to the display OSD on Cintiq Pros, which means users can avoid a lot of headaches with color profiles.

You can use the calibrated profile from the OSD just like any other color mode.

Wacom Color Manager costs about 305 USD on the Wacom eStore.

I don't recommend the Cintiq 2025 for workflows that require a high level of color accuracy.

***

## Brightness

The result is decent, but not great.

The white point is slightly cooler than the standard D65 target (6500K).

6700K to 6900K range making while color a little bit slightly cooler.

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2F080Zljq9QLg44TIciOJM%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=78c99693-5ae5-4d11-a94f-6d41f65eacac" alt=""><figcaption><p>120 nits = 35% brightness</p></figcaption></figure>

***

## Color test

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2FNdcwpVEwC0ijwz8dpts0%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=50433b5b-d252-4d92-9ce5-18dafac1c3b6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Native mode (default)

Native mode is in P3 as default.

99% P3 is very good.

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2F4zz2diZ1IAsBe6v6xuHz%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=e462f511-4e00-49d2-927f-d7a551f80175" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### sRGB mode (default)

Fairly accurrate, but sRGB mode is not 100% in this mode.

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2FWvpMOFduBBfYevPdi8rM%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=e2d9b0d8-6b81-4c4a-bf4f-e8d838337c91" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### DCI-P3 mode (default)

Fairly accurate.

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2F66ukgQf6pN4DSqc3b8Wy%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=ed0c2204-121a-4255-8e38-da3f4753ac5e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Display P3 mode (default)

Similar to DCI-p3 in result.

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2FsT4EjFZBPWP9mZTLbBTP%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=e39a6806-cd27-4d09-8b3d-d51e70a8054d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### After calibration

Calibration tool: Datacolor SpyderX Pro

I'm using the built-in sRGB clamping feature in AMD Adrenalin software.

sRGB clamp = color temperature control disabled.

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2FSJ0GhRM9ikyAJNeVCVNh%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=ca60d85e-6604-43e8-bbd6-f165df8aa593" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Here are the result:

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2Fz3PFGMovs0YNKzqwOxVt%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=3935fe10-ea77-4664-935b-cccd65b6612a" alt=""><figcaption><p>Native after calibrated, no different than the default profile.</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://100795559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFTDevk6pVgbzRnLdmWfX%2Fuploads%2FFGpaPPRcr5qyUR7hteS8%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=c175d5ea-13d5-405f-a26b-289aa3781deb" alt=""><figcaption><p>sRGB Clamp after calibrated with the native mode</p></figcaption></figure>

The result is basically the same as the default mode, which mean the display is already calibrated. The extra 2% on sRGB mode is not worth the effort of using color profile and sRGB clamping tool.