A detection system method of color balancing an image includes receiving an image of a test area of a pad which includes a color of a reaction between a test substance and at least one reagent on the test area of the pad, an alignment code having detection system identification information, at least one color calibration block indicia for aligning with a camera as the image is being captured, and test identification information for analyzing the test substance during a colorimetric analysis. The method further includes collecting an array of pixels of RGB values for each pixel in the image, evaluating a captured color of the at least one color calibration block in the image, and performing the colorimetric analysis on the reaction between the test substance and the at least one reagent.