Abstract: A system and associated method for low cost image scanning and automatic ink adjustment control in a printing press. The system dispenses with automatically positioned densitometers and the system feedback which associates densitometer position with ink adjusters in the press. Instead, at the outset, image zones in a printed form are associated with ink zones on the press, as determined by the particular form being printed. The operator is then led to take manual densitometer readings of each image zone, and the system determines whether the reading is proper, whether it is within standards, and if the operator should advance to a reading of the next zone, so directs the operator.