The present invention provides a plurality of representations of color
that are stored in an electronic color library and that can be selected
by a user. After a color selection is made, a plurality of color ink
formulas and/or colorant formulas capable of producing the selected color
are provided. Further, other selections can be made to define a substrate
or other criteria that can impact the color ink formulas. The user can
make a selection among the plurality of color ink formulas and/or
colorant formulas. The selected color ink formula (s) (or colorant
formula (s)) can be transmitted over a communication network, such as the
Internet or a local Intranet to another party, such as an ink
manufacturer.