diff --git a/plotpy/tools/image.py b/plotpy/tools/image.py
index dd4c35c..c98cfeb 100644
--- a/plotpy/tools/image.py
+++ b/plotpy/tools/image.py
@@ -484,6 +484,7 @@ def activate_command(self, plot: BasePlot, checked: bool) -> None:
         manager = ColorMapManager(
             plot.parent(), active_colormap=self._active_colormap.name
         )
+        manager.SIG_APPLY_COLORMAP.connect(self.update_plot)
         if exec_dialog(manager) and (cmap := manager.get_colormap()) is not None:
             self.activate_cmap(cmap)
 
@@ -500,15 +501,24 @@ def activate_cmap(self, cmap: str | EditableColormap) -> None:
             self._active_colormap = cmap
         plot: BasePlot = self.get_active_plot()
         if self._active_colormap is not None and plot is not None:
-            items = get_selected_images(plot, IColormapImageItemType)
-            for item in items:
-                param: BaseImageParam = item.param
-                param.colormap = self._active_colormap.name
-                param.update_item(item)
-                plot.SIG_ITEM_PARAMETERS_CHANGED.emit(item)
-            plot.invalidate()
+            self.update_plot(self._active_colormap.name)
             self.update_status(plot)
 
+    def update_plot(self, cmap: str) -> None:
+        """Update the plot with the given colormap.
+
+        Args:
+            cmap: Colormap name
+        """
+        plot: BasePlot = self.get_active_plot()
+        items = get_selected_images(plot, IColormapImageItemType)
+        for item in items:
+            param: BaseImageParam = item.param
+            param.colormap = cmap
+            param.update_item(item)
+            plot.SIG_ITEM_PARAMETERS_CHANGED.emit(item)
+        plot.invalidate()
+
     def update_status(self, plot: BasePlot) -> None:
         """Update tool status if the plot type is not PlotType.CURVE.
 
diff --git a/plotpy/widgets/colormap/manager.py b/plotpy/widgets/colormap/manager.py
index 0ed5686..32f2c8e 100644
--- a/plotpy/widgets/colormap/manager.py
+++ b/plotpy/widgets/colormap/manager.py
@@ -133,6 +133,8 @@ class ColorMapManager(QW.QDialog):
         that the colormap cannot be removed.
     """
 
+    SIG_APPLY_COLORMAP = QC.Signal(str)
+
     def __init__(
         self,
         parent: QW.QWidget | None = None,
@@ -196,13 +198,16 @@ def __init__(
         self._cmap_choice.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.set_colormap)
 
         self.bbox = QW.QDialogButtonBox(
-            QW.QDialogButtonBox.Save
+            QW.QDialogButtonBox.Apply
+            | QW.QDialogButtonBox.Save
             | QW.QDialogButtonBox.Ok
             | QW.QDialogButtonBox.Cancel
         )
         self._changes_saved = True
         self._save_btn = self.bbox.button(QW.QDialogButtonBox.Save)
         self._save_btn.setEnabled(False)  # type: ignore
+        self._apply_btn = self.bbox.button(QW.QDialogButtonBox.Apply)
+        self._apply_btn.setEnabled(False)  # type: ignore
         self.bbox.clicked.connect(self.button_clicked)
 
         dialog_layout = QW.QVBoxLayout()
@@ -220,7 +225,12 @@ def button_clicked(self, button: QW.QAbstractButton) -> None:
         Args:
             button: button clicked
         """
-        if button is self._save_btn:
+        if button is self._apply_btn:
+            if not self.current_changes_saved and not self.save_colormap():
+                return
+            self._apply_btn.setEnabled(False)
+            self.SIG_APPLY_COLORMAP.emit(self.colormap_editor.get_colormap().name)
+        elif button is self._save_btn:
             self.save_colormap()
         elif self.bbox.buttonRole(button) == QW.QDialogButtonBox.AcceptRole:
             self.accept()
@@ -231,6 +241,7 @@ def _changes_not_saved(self) -> None:
         """Callback function to be called when the colormap is modified. Enables the
         save button and sets the current_changes_saved attribute to False."""
         self._save_btn.setEnabled(True)  # type: ignore
+        self._apply_btn.setEnabled(True)  # type: ignore
         self._changes_saved = False
 
     @property