a second relational equation calculation step of, with the maximum gradation value or the characteristic-acquired gradation value being taken as a reference gradation value, and with a gradation value for which spectral characteristics are obtained regarding the reference color or the characteristics-acquired gradation value being taken as a process target gradation value, obtaining a second relational equation that represents a relationship between spectral characteristics of the reference gradation value and spectral characteristics of the process target gradation value for the reference color; and
a second prediction step of, using the second relational equation, obtaining prediction values of spectral characteristics of a prediction target gradation value for the prediction target color.