Methods are provided for generating a barcode with embedded colour palette for colour correction of a captured image in digital format. These methods comprise: generating an initial barcode according to a barcode standard and formed by light colour and dark colour encoding units jointly encoding a reference to storage location; splitting a predefined set of reference colours into reference dark and reference light colours depending on contrast threshold; modifying the initial barcode by replacing dark colour encoding units by reference dark colours and light colour encoding units by reference light colours; and updating the storage location with data representing the reference colours included in the modified barcode and positions of said reference colours in the modified barcode. Methods are provided for colour correction based on a barcode determined by said methods. Computer programs and systems are provided which are suitable for performing said barcode generation methods and colour correction methods.