Methods of measuring colors, methods of calibrating printers and printing systems for implementing the methods are disclosed. Calibration maps are printed on print media. The calibration maps have intertwined contiguous printed and non-printed areas. One or more color signals are measured on contiguous printed areas. One or more noise signals are measured on non-printed areas that are adjacent to the contiguous printed areas. Clear color signals are generated by removing the one or more measured noise signals from the one or more measured color signals.