A method for transforming device dependent color values [C1, M1, Y1, K1] of a first printing process into device dependent color values [C2, M2, Y2, K2] of a second printing process, the printing processes being characterized by color profiles setting the device dependent color values of the printing processes in a relationship with the device independent color values of the LAB or XYZ color space, includes determining, from the profiles of the printing process, a one-dimensional assignment function K2=f(K1), and describing the paper white of the first printing process by the color values [C2pw, M2pw, Y2pw, K2pw] of the second printing process. Pure gray colors from the first printing process having the device dependent color values [C1=0, M1=0, Y1=0, K1] are transformed into the device dependent color values [C2pw, M2pw, Y2pw, K2pw+f(K1)] of the second printing process. The assignment function is determined from the lightness curves of the first and second color profiles that, in each case, apply to printing only with black printing ink.