Abstract: A color reference standard and method of making same are disclosed. A transparent film having a matte surface and a spectral optical modulator are selected. The spectral optical modulator, preferably a glossy pigment, is coated onto the film surface opposite the matte surface, as by painting, hand drawn down, or silk screen application. So configured, the color reference standard provides a matte color reference standard when the glossy pigment coating is viewed through the matte film surface and a glossy reference standard when the glossy pigment is viewed directly from the opposite side of the reference standard. Advantageously, both the matte and glossy reference surfaces are cleanable without altering the reflectance values of the color standard.