A system and a method for color optimization with a distal server displaying a virtual color image in the form of an image file having individual color values on its website, and with a proximal computer connected to the server and having a display unit, the computer displaying on its display unit the virtual color image of the server by way of an application program, products on the display unit in the most optimum colors possible. The system and method include a reference card having several differently colored translucent reference areas besides a transparent or translucent area or an opening and an application program that starts a routine on the server and/or on the computer.