A method generates a set of color patches that can be used to characterize a color printer. An accurate reference printer model is selected. A base set of calibration patches is printed and measured. The measurements are used to generate a model that can be used to predict the color produced by the reference printer for any combination of its colorants. The base set of patches is supplemented by a set of patches chosen to reduce the maximum color error produced by using the model compared to the predictions of a reference printer model. The supplemented set of patches is used to generate a more accurate model of the printer. The supplemented set of patches is used to recalibrate other instances of the printer.