Apparatus for simulating the effects of printing process-relevant setting commands on an image to be printed image includes (a) a color management unit for transforming printing-specific image data of an image to be printed into screen-specific display data defined in an RGB target color space, wherein the image data have been defined in a CMYK source color space comprising the scale colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black as participants in halftone combination printing; (b) at least one true color monitor for displaying the image to be printed in a true color manner on the basis of the screen-specific display data defined in the RGB target color space, the monitor being connected to the color management unit; (c) an input unit for entering the printing process-relevant setting commands for changing the image; and (d) a manipulation unit, which, on the basis of the entered setting commands, automatically adjusts the display data defined in the RGB target color space so that the image displayed on the true color monitor simulates, in a true color manner, image changes made by means of the entered setting commands.