1. A method for improved characterization of bi-directional color reproduction devices, comprising: a) obtaining a gamut of achievable colors that the printing device is expected to reproduce; b) defining at least one color test target containing a plurality of color patches within the achievable gamut; c) generating a color calibration table specific to a first direction of print; d) generating a color calibration table specific to a second direction of print; e) determining the intersection of the gamuts of achievable colors in left-to-right mode and in right-to-left mode; f) defining a gamut smaller than the gamut of the intersection; and g) iteratively generating calibration tables using the defined smaller gamut as a common gamut starting point.