Patent ID: 7023578

Claim:
A system for processing a color image in a printing machine having color rendering characteristics comprising: an image processor for generating original color image data from an original item to be printed for the purpose of forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive belt of said printing machine; said system further comprising a customization manager comprising: a customization user interface adapted to allow a user to enter data for generating customized tone reproduction curves; a customization processor constructed to receive the data entered by said user at said customization interface and generate at least one set of customized tone reproduction curves; a customization memory for storing said at least one set of customized tone reproduction curves for future use; wherein said image processor and said customization processor are connected to combine said at least one set of customized tone reproduction curves with said original color image data to generate customized original color image data; and a color maintenance processor including a memory for storing at least one set of calibration tone reproduction curves and wherein said color maintenance processor combines said customized original color image data with said at least one set of calibration tone reproduction curves to generate calibrated and customized original color image data.