A multicolor marking platform may include a marking engine with a storage device storing color standard data, a non-black color separation station, marking process stations to selectively mark a color test pattern on a target substrate, and a color control logic with color control applications to selectively control color characteristics of the marking engine by controlling the non-black color separation station or a marking process station; and a spectral sensor to detect each color test pattern on the target substrate and provide corresponding color measurement data to the color control logic. The color control logic may selectively control the non-black color separation station or a marking process station in response to the color measurement data and the corresponding color standard data in relation to the selected color control application. Various embodiments of the multicolor marking platform and a method for controlling color in same are also provided.