What is disclosed is a novel system and method for mapping out-of-gamut colors to a device's gamut to improve image quality in a color document reproduction device involves performing the following. First, an out-of-gamut color xi, which is intended to be mapped to a boundary surface of a color gamut of a color marking device, is selected. A gamut mapping function is also selected. The selected gamut mapping function is intended to be applied to the selected out-of-gamut color point. At least one performance attribute is then selected for the color marking device and a multi-objective cumulative cost JT is determined based upon a combination of costs Jgm and Js. The multi-objective cumulative cost JT is then iteratively driven to a minimum. Once the minimum has been determined, a gamut mapping of the selected out-of-gamut color can then be performed using the minimized multi-objective cumulative cost. Various embodiments are disclosed.