This invention is directed to a system and method for setting output characteristics of an image rendering device. Image data encoded relative to a red-green-blue color space is received in a vector format D, such that each value of D corresponds to a red component value, a blue component value and a green component value. Data representing a contrast adjustment matrix C is then received, such that the values of the matrix C are constant values associated with a selected contrast adjustment for the image data. Data representing a saturation adjustment matrix S is then received, such that the values of the matrix S are constant values associated with a selected saturation adjustment for the image data. The values of the matrix S also correspond to values of a selected m by n masking matrix A. A brightness adjustment matrix B is then received. The values of the brightness adjustment matrix B are associated with brightness adjustment of the red component, with brightness adjustment of the green component, and with brightness adjustment of the blue component. An output image data D' is then calculated, encoded in a vector format, such that D'=S.times.C.times.D+B.