A mapping method, program, and device provide an explicit mechanism for the user to control the gamut mapping. Specifically, hints in the mapping are set by the user to influence the outcome of the mapping and achieve the desired result. In effect, the gamut mapping is defined by example. The mapping may be defined relative to a reference gamut and specifically, the mapping is created by defining reference points in the gamut. Most often, these reference points are in the lightest and darkest regions of the mapping. Alternatively, areas of the purest color can also be used as the locations for providing the hints. Further, color combinations, such as cyan plus magenta, cyan plus yellow, cyan plus blue, blue plus yellow, blue plus magenta, and yellow plus magenta, and 100% of the corresponding colorants are added to the list of hints. Then, the mapping is defined relative to those points.