It's not like I'm printing this at home from a dinky inkjet. I'm paying for large prints. Of course the profile is important, because if I don't consider it, the printer will throw out a swath of colors. Calibration isn't the issue.
Dude, there's no reason to get hostile. You asked a question, I answered. The profile is important but if you're in a "do I need to finish in photoshop" frame of experience, there are other things to worry about. Like calibrating. Based on what you're saying, I presume you got the ICC profile from your print shop? Have you thought about asking them for small-scale test prints? 'cuz the color isn't going to change over the size.
Well, test prints aren't an issue either. I need to know about the actual procedure of applying profiles for professional printing and how to correct for printer limitations. I don't even know what to look for, though, because I never went to school for photography--even if I have to read a textbook, that's fine, but I don't know what the field is called, but I do know that I know absolutely nothing about the subject. When I actually apply the necessary profile, the color goes flat. I don't know which mode to use, perceptive, relative or what have you and I don't know what other procedures are necessary.
What are you talking about?
kb might have thought your first response beginning "it's not like" and including the phrase "of course" to be disrespectful. It's hard to calibrate respect when all we have are words on a screen, but a good way to begin a response is "Thanks for considering my question. I appreciate it. What I mean is . . . " Something like that is useful to invite more interactiveness.
Note: I'm just chiming in here because you asked. I appreciate that it might be difficult for a well-intentioned writer to see what others might see.