What is disclosed is a method for maintaining consistent color output across printers even when the inline sensors have differences in accuracy due to various technical and environmental factors. A spectrophotometer is used to measure the color quality of printed references. Adjustments are then iteratively made until reference charts of desired color quality are obtained. The printed reference allows one to achieve relatively high system performance by removing sensor inaccuracies. Using the printed reference measured by the inline sensor control systems of each machine are calibrated. At customer sites and at suitable intervals, a reference document can be read using the inline sensor on a reference machine and any differences from expected values can be calibrated out. The present method is also applicable to other color management functions such as memory color and automatic profile generations using inline/offline sensors and can be used for determining reference values while calibrating control systems of printers over a wide range of applications.