Method for producing a table of predicted reflectances under target operating conditions and data structure and printing system incorporating the table

Abstract

A printer is operated under a first set of conditions to create a first set of M number of samples and under a target set of conditions to create a second set of K samples. Each sample is produced using the same colorant(s). The actual spectral reflectance for each sample is measured. In accordance with the present invention the actual spectral reflectances for corresponding samples in the first and second sets are used to create a cross-validated, partial-least-squares transform that maps a reflectance from a sample produced under the first set of conditions to a reflectance from a sample produced under the target set of conditions. The transform and the actual spectral reflectance measured from the M number of samples in the first set are used to produce a set of M number of predicted reflectances, where each predicted reflectance represents a sample producible by the printer under the target set of operating conditions using one of the M colorant(s). Using the set of M predicted reflectances and the M colorant(s) used to produce the samples in the first set, a table predicting a color value producible by the printer on a substrate using a predetermined colorant(s) when the printer is operable under the target set of operating conditions is generated.