A system and method for generating achromatic components for output incorporate receiving input color data defined in a first color space. The received input color data is converted to intermediate color data defined in an intermediate color space. Typically the intermediate color space is defined only in terms of chromatic components. A black or achromatic component is then calculated. The black or achromatic color component is a function of both the input color data in the first color space and the intermediate color data in the intermediate color space. This black or achromatic color component is associated with the intermediate color data for further processing and output.