Abstract: For a preferred incremental printing system (e. g. a remote-proofing printer system) and method, statistical methods of presetting calibration-acceptability criteria are used in the lab design phase, to objectively link acceptance of color calibration with printer performance—relative to design goals. A color calibration pattern is printed on the same sheet with substantially each image, and with a fiducial mark for later locating the calibration pattern, in a relatively narrow marginal region. The calibration pattern—a subset of a pattern used in full color-correction operation—is scanned by a measurement sensor, together with unprinted blank printing medium immediately adjacent to the calibration pattern, to first calibrate the sensor itself (A/D conversion gain and offset) and then check colorimetric calibration of the image-forming functions of the printer.