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;
a 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;
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 of, using the second relational equation, obtaining prediction values of spectral characteristics of a prediction target gradation value for the prediction target color.
These and other objects, features, modes, and advantageous effects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention with reference co the accompanying drawings.