The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the improved characterization of an image scanner or similar image input terminal so as to enable the device to be employed in the measurement and analysis of color images. The invention uses a family of input device characterization targets, each varying in primary colorants and at a fixed level of black (K) colorant. A corresponding family of input device characterizations is derived, one for each level of K, and the final transformation is prepared such that the characterization includes K as an additional input--thereby improving the characterization and accuracy of the input device.