A method for color cast removal in a scanned image in L*a*b* space includes generating a first color cast correction curve for mapping L* to a first color correction, Δa*, (or Δb*) wherein the first correction curve provides a desired a* shift in midtone regions and is modulated as a function of L* such that black and white points are unaffected; for each pixel n in the scanned image, passing L*n through the first color cast correction curve for obtaining a value of Δa*n; and adding the value of Δa*n to the scanned image's original a*n component. To ensure that the color corrected a* remains within gamut, a second correction curve for applying a clipping factor to the mapped Δa* may be generated with the a*n passing through the second correction curve for obtaining a clipping factor Cn; and modifying the a*n value by Cn(Δa*n).