Method of determining an image recording device characterization

A method is provided of determining an image recording device characterisation for a target image. A number of component spectra are determined from a set of target spectra obtained from the target image such that the spectra can be represented by combinations of one or more of the component spectra. A perceptual color space data set is defined and combinations of the component spectra which correspond to the perceptual color space data set are determined. A device data set is generated in accordance with the determined combinations and a device spectra response, the device data set representing a set of colors which can be generated by an image recording device having the device spectral response. A characterisation is then determined by reference to the relationship between the device and perceptual color space data sets.