A method for processing a high dynamic range (HDR) image for printing. Tone mapping is first applied to the input image to map the colors from the original color space to an extended RGB space without scaling or clipping of colors. The colors are then converted to a device-independent color space such as Jab, and scaled (normalized) in that space. Then, image-based gamut mapping is performed in the Jab space to map the gamut of the image to the gamut of the destination device. The colors are then converted to the color space of the destination device (e.g. printer) and outputted.