The work aims to explore the effect of optical brightening agent (OBA) content on color reproduction so as to help precise color measurement, realize correct color conversion between different devices, and accurately reproduce color. Three types of paper with more OBA, little OBA and without OBA were selected. Paper whiteness, linear color code and IT8.7/4 color code were measured respectively based on M1/M2 observation conditions. Then, the change trend of Δb, ΔE and ICC curve under M1/M2 observation conditions was analyzed. The OBA content in the substrate could be determined by measuring the absolute value of the difference of b value under M1 and M2 observation conditions. The effect of OBA content on color measurement data was related to step value, which was in negative linear relation. The data were measured under M1 observation conditions to generate ICC color characteristic file. The overall linear offset was blue, indicating that the value of b was linearly offset to the negative value. The color management process based on M1 observation conditions needs further research on the linear compensation and correction of b value for the content of OBA, so as to reduce the effect of OBA on color management and make the color reproduction on paper reach an ideal state.