A color management workflow for offset printing using custom inks is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for color management workflow for transitioning offset printing using custom inks to digital printing includes a color image recording device to measure one or more spot color ramps that correspond to custom ink colors, the color image device operable to determine a matching L*a*b value for the spot color ramps. The apparatus further includes a color characterization module to determine device CMYK matches for each of the L*a*b values for the one or more spot color ramps and create a custom input characterization file based on the device CMYK matches and an International Color Consortium (ICC) profile module to create a new input ICC file and a new output ICC file from the custom input characterization file.