X-Rite and Pantone Demonstrate Color Innovation in Plastics at NPE2018

X-Rite launches new cloud-based digital color communication solution, spectrophotometer for opaque materials, and showcases the first 3D visualization environment for evaluating material appearance.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 7, 2018 – X-Rite Incorporated, a global leader in color science and technology, and Pantone LLC, launch new color management innovations designed to improve the efficiency of plastics manufacturing at NPE2018, May 7-11 in Orlando, FL. In booth S19037, designers, compounders and manufacturers can see the newest solutions to help virtually design, specify, communicate, formulate and control color quality across the entire plastics workflow to help speed production and reduce waste. 

Specifying color and appearance for finished plastic parts from packaging containers to appliances now begins with 3D digital design tools and is shared across digital production workflows. At NPE, X-Rite and Pantone are showcasing new technologies designed for today’s digital workflows to help designers and plastic producers streamline the design-to-prototyping process, communicate spectral color data across the supply chain and improve color formulation for complex materials and resins.

These solutions include:  

NEW PantoneLIVE™ Production – Plastic, Coatings and Textile: X-Rite and Pantone have expanded their cloud-based digital standard ecosystem, PantoneLIVE, to meet the needs of the plastics, coatings and textile industries. The new PantoneLIVE Production – Plastic, Coatings and Textile offering provides the official spectral color data from the Pantone Matching System (PMS) for plastics and coatings. Using PantoneLIVE helps bridge the gap in digital color communication between brands/designers and their print, packaging or product manufacturing supply chains. Masterbatchers, compounders and molders can use spectral data to determine the most cost-effective amount of pigment to achieve accurate color at any opacity level for faster formulation and production times. 

NEW Ci7500 Benchtop Spectrophotometer: A new reflectance-only sphere benchtop spectrophotometer that addresses the needs of lab and QC professionals who primarily work with opaque materials and plastics. The Ci7500 features SPIN/SPEX measurement to accurately determine gloss levels and is UV calibrated for advanced optical brighteners commonly used in plastics. This new instrument brings the level of reliability, traceability and accuracy that customers expect in a more affordable model.

Virtual Light Booth (VLB): NPE is the first time the award-winning VLB will be on display for industrial and packaging designers working with plastics. VLB is a 3D visualization environment for evaluating material appearance such as color, texture, gloss, transparency, special effects and reflection properties. It allows users to accurately and efficiently visualize and compare 3D digital material renderings side-by-side with physical samples under a variety of lighting conditions. This helps ensure consistency between digital prototypes and final physical products. 

MetaVue VS3200: The first non-contact imaging spectrophotometer that brings versatility and accuracy to the color measurement of wet and dry paints, liquids, powders, gels and plastic samples for improved color formulation and quality control. MetaVue VS3200 is ideal for color formulation, production color checks and quality control operations. 

MA-T Family of Multi-Angle Imaging Spectrophotometers: The industry’s first instruments to combine color imaging and multi-angle spectral measurement to quantify color, sparkle and coarseness. The MA-T family allows manufacturers and plastic producers to more precisely define and control effect finishes in order to achieve a new level of consistency and harmony across adjacent parts. 

“Expanding color choices and finishes enhance the appeal of products and serve as an important differentiator in increasingly competitive markets. However, more sophisticated materials also create new challenges for formulation and quality control professionals who must ensure product consistency and harmony across adjacent parts,” said Richard Roth, Vice President Product Management, X-Rite. “We are excited to launch our technological innovations at the top plastics conference in North America and show industry professionals more efficient ways to manage and control color and appearance characteristics of complex plastics and resins.” 

For more information about end-to-end color management solutions from X-Rite and Pantone, visit www.xrite.com.  

About PantoneLIVE 
PantoneLIVE is a cloud-based solution that enables the Pantone Color language to be communicated and targeted for accurate color production across the entire supply chain – from design concept to final color production. The PantoneLIVE family includes PantoneLIVE Design, PantoneLIVE Production - Print & Packaging and PantoneLIVE Production – Plastic, Coatings, and Textile. The different offerings are tailored to meet the specific needs of designers, color material suppliers, and manufacturers working with paper, film, plastics, coatings and textiles. The PantoneLIVE family is supported by licensed hardware and software that enables each area of the packaging, plastic, coatings, and textile supply chains to access spectral data for matching Pantone Colors, in addition to specific brand palettes. This results in consistent and repeatable color across product families, regardless of material, media or print technology, providing a cohesive brand approach. For more information, please see www.pantone.com/live.

About X-Rite
Founded in 1958, X-Rite Incorporated is a global leader in the science and technology of color and appearance. With Pantone, X-Rite employs more than 800 people in 11 countries. The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Grand Rapids, Mich., with regional headquarters in Europe and Asia and service centers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. X-Rite offers a full range of solutions used by manufacturers, retailers, printers, photographers and graphic design houses to achieve precise management and communication of color and appearance throughout their processes. X-Rite products and services are recognized standards in the printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles and medical industries. For further information, please visit www.xrite.com. For the latest news, information, connect with X-Rite on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

About Pantone 
Pantone provides the universal language of color that enables color-critical decisions through every stage of the workflow for brands and manufacturers. More than 10 million designers and producers around the world rely on Pantone products and services to help define, communicate and control color from inspiration to realization – leveraging advanced X-Rite technology to achieve color consistency across various materials and finishes for graphics, fashion and product design. Pantone Standards feature digital and physical color specification and workflow tools. The Pantone Color Institute™ provides customized color standards, brand identity and product color consulting as well as trend forecasting inclusive of Pantone Color of the Year, Fashion Runway Color Trend Reports, color psychology and more. Pantone B2B Licensing incorporates the Pantone Color System into different products and services, enabling licensees to communicate and reproduce certified Pantone values and improve efficiencies for their users. Pantone Lifestyle brings color and design together across apparel, home, and accessories. Learn more at www.pantone.com and connect with Pantone on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.


- # # # -
©2018 X-Rite, Inc. All rights reserved. X-Rite is a registered trademark of X-Rite, Inc. PANTONE®, PantoneLIVE and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Pantone is a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated. Licensed under Sun Chemical Corporation. Sun Chemical’s patented technology enables the communication of a consistent, digital description of the desired appearance of a product. – [U.S. Patent Nos. 7,034,960; 7,202,976; 7,268,918; 7,417,764; 7,738,149 and their foreign equivalents. © Pantone LLC, 2018. All rights reserved