The invention is directed to various calibration techniques for calibrating an imagining device such as a display device, a printer, or a scanner. The techniques may involve characterizing the imaging device with a device model such that an average error between expected outputs determined from the device model and measured outputs of the imaging device is on the order of an expected error, and adjusting image rendering on the imaging device to achieve a target behavior. The invention can achieve a balance between analytical behavior of the imaging device and measured output. In this manner, adjustments to image rendering may be more likely to improve color accuracy and less likely to overcompensate for errors that are expected.