Methods and systems are disclosed which are capable of efficiently performing color management of a variable gloss color printing system. The methods and systems select at least one set of the linear color values corresponding to the color profile for the printing device (at the nominal gloss condition). The linear color values selected comprise those obtained from color values corresponding to each node of the color profile at the nominal gloss condition. In a colorimetric embodiment, the linear color values can comprise: tristimulus values XYZ; red, green, blue (RGB); or luminance component Y, and two chromatic components C1 and C2 (YCC). In a reflectance embodiment, the linear color values comprise reflectance spectra. This exemplary method adds an offset term to each of the linear color values to produce a corresponding set of modified linear color values, and generates a color profile for the printing device at the desired gloss condition based on the modified linear color values.