1. Process for the linearization and characterization of an image producing device, especially a printer, whereby with the device a colour test chart is reproduced which consists of a number of colour measurement fields with defined device colour values, the reproduced colour test chart is measured as to colour and the colour values associated with each colour measurement field are determined, and whereby from the device colour values and the determined colour values a profile is calculated for the device, characterized in that a colour test chart (TC) with a relatively low number of colour measurement fields is used, reproduced and measured as to colour, that on the basis of the device colour values (Dev(i)) and the measured colour values (PCS(i)) of the test chart (TC) linearization curves (LC) are calculated for the device, that on the basis of the linearization curves (LC), the device colour values (Dev(1)) and the measured colour values (PCS(i)) of the test chart (TC) and information on the device behaviour derived therefrom is used for the calculation of an expanded colour test chart (TCex) is calculated with expanded device colour values (DevEx(j) and associated expanded colour values PCSLex(j), whereby the number of the colour measurement fields in the expanded colour test chart (TCex) is significantly larger than the number of the colour measurement fields in the original colour test chart (TC) and that the profile for the device is calculated from the expanded device colour values (DevEx(j) and the expanded colour values (PCSLex(j).