Abstract: A method for processing color mapping data includes the steps of performing a discrete cosine transform on color descriptors resulting in a set of corresponding discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients. Selected discrete cosine transform coefficients are set to zero in order to produce a revised set of coefficients including a compressed smaller set of coefficients. The smaller set is more readily manipulated and facilitates interpolation. In one embodiment an inverse DCT is performed on the revised set of coefficients to produce a revised map in color space including a revised set of corresponding device dependent color descriptors. Discrete standard color descriptors are interpolated in the revised map by linear interpolation. In another embodiment of the invention, interpolation is included within an inverse cosine continuous transform (ICCT) of the revised set of coefficients employing an ICCT interpolator.