a first relational equation calculation step or obtaining a first relational equation that, with an intermediate gradation value for which spectral characteristics are obtained regarding the prediction target color being taken as a characteristics-acquired gradation value, represents a relationship between spectral characteristics of the maximum gradation value and spectral characteristics of the characteristics-acquired gradation value for each of a plurality of sample colors which are a plurality of ink colors for each of which spectral characteristics of the maximum gradation value, spectral characteristics of the minimum gradation value, and spectral characteristics of at least one intermediate gradation value are obtained;
a first prediction step of, for each of the plurality of sample colors, obtaining prediction values of spectral characteristics of the characteristics-acquired gradation value for the prediction target color by applying the spectral characteristics of the maximum gradation value for the prediction target color to a corresponding first relational equation;
a difference value calculation step of, for each of the plurality of sample colors, obtaining a difference value between the prediction values obtained in the first prediction step and actual measurement values of spectral characteristics of the characteristics-acquired gradation value for the prediction target color;
reference color selection step of selecting, as a reference color, a sample color for which a minimum difference value is obtained in the difference value calculation step among the plurality of sample colors;