Patent ID: 8456700

Claim:
A method for generating a spectral matching guide for spot color print applications in a print/copy job environment, the method comprising: selecting spot colors of interest from a library of spot colors for a reference color marking device; obtaining at least two spectral reflectance values for each spot color of interest; calculating, using a metameric metric, a spectral matching value for each spot color of interest based upon each spot color's respective at least two spectral reflectance values; sorting said spectral matching values to obtain a sorted list of spectral matching values and their respective spot colors of interest; dividing said sorted list of spectral matching values into at least a first section and a second section, said first section comprising spot colors of interest with lower spectral matching values such that the respective spot colors have substantially similar spectral reflectance values when rendered on different image output devices, and said second section comprising spot colors with higher spectral matching values such that the respective spot colors have an increased likelihood of spectral divergence; generating a spectral matching guide using spot colors of interest from at least a portion of said first section of said sorted list and their respective spectral matching values; and communicating said spectral matching guide to a storage device.