1. A method for adaptively assigning an image data color management action to a component of a computing system, said computing system including a periphral device and control programs, said control programs comprising an application program, an operating system and a peripheral driver program, said method comprising the steps of: a) examining said image data to determine at least one characteristic thereof; b) comparing said characteristic with one or more decision parameters; and c) based on said comparing step, causing said image data to be subjected to said color management action by a selected one of said control programs or by said peripheral device.