Per l’accuratezza del colore nel mondo della stampa e del packaging, è fondamentale disporre degli strumenti giusti. Sappiamo bene quanto possa essere stressante e difficile scegliere tra una sovrabbondanza di opzioni. Ma adesso puoi stare tranquillo, perché abbiamo semplificato il tuo processo decisionale. Ecco il nostro elenco dei migliori dispositivi per la corrispondenza dei colori, ognuno rispondente a esigenze diverse:   eXact™ 2 Spettrofotometro portat...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the colorful world of spectrophotometers? Don't worry, we've got your back! We've put together a quick list of the unique features of four of our color match devices to help you find your perfect match. Let's dive right in! Ci7860: The Precision Prodigy The Ci7800 is your go-to if you're all about precision. With its cutting-edge technology, this benchtop spectrophotometer guarantees spot-on color matches. If you're into perfection, this one's for you....

Working in prepress holds a unique challenge. Even if your color workflow is tight, everything can fall apart if the customer’s file isn’t color managed. We’ve all seen it. You receive a file that the customer claims is ready to print, yet when you open it on your computer, the colors don’t look right at all. You can’t send it to print without knowing for sure, because you’re the one who will take the hit for wasted time and materials if it’s wrong....

When all of final production packaging comes together on the store shelf, it’s a brand’s moment of truth. Do the stand-up pouches, overwraps, and corrugated POP displays match? How close is the color to its standard? We know you spend so much time and money designing, proofing, sampling, printing, and shipping… so where does the color go wrong? Is it an issue with accuracy, consistency, or both? Package designs come together on the shelf. Here you see pouches, labels, cartons, and corrugated wit...

Cosa succede se devi gestire più di 2.000 colori dei brand in una complessa filiera di produzione globale del packaging? Le cose si fanno complicate! Anche se al momento può sembrare più facile creare un nuovo colore che cercare nei database o nei raccoglitori di drawdown per trovare la migliore corrispondenza, il problema si ha in seguito, quando ti ritrovi con una libreria enorme, ingestibile. Uno dei nostri clienti, una nota azienda del settore FMCG (beni di largo consum...

Se una persona dice “mela”, ti viene da pensare rossa, verde o gialla? Cosa faresti se un cliente ti chiede di produrre un colore ricorrendo a descrizioni non sufficientemente specifiche? Guarda in che modo un qualcosa di apparentemente semplice come la comunicazione del colore può determinare il successo o il fallimento del tuo programma del colore. Un’immagine può raffigurare mille parole, ma le parole da sole non possono raffigurare mille colori. Ogni giorno s...

Chiunque si occupi di stampare prodotti o imballaggi sa che alcuni colori, come l’arancione, sono troppo difficili da riprodurre con i soli inchiostri CMY. Un quarto colore, il nero (K, che sta per “Key”, ossia il nero nel mondo della stampa) è spesso aggiunto per le applicazioni di stampa a colori sottrattiva. Dato che C+M+Y in effetti crea un colore marrone fangoso a causa delle impurità presenti negli inchiostri C, M e Y, l’aggiunta di un autentico inchi...

In questo periodo dell’anno, Internet riporta in abbondanza elenchi di top 10. Una tradizione accolta sin dal 1940, quando Billboard pubblicò la prima classifica dei dischi più venduti. Da allora, in molti hanno iniziato a pubblicare classifiche analoghe, per evidenziare le tendenze più popolari dell’anno precedente.   Dal 2016 pubblichiamo la classifica dei post più letti nel nostro blog, e siamo lieti di vedere che ogni anno, nelle prime posizioni...

Le aziende utilizzano gli sbiancanti ottici, detti anche agenti sbiancanti fluorescenti, per conferire un aspetto più luminoso e bianco ai prodotti. Se da un lato l’aggiunta di sbiancanti determina una maggiore luminosità del prodotto, dall'altro queste sostanze chimiche alterano il modo in cui il colore viene percepito, rendendo impossibile una valutazione visiva accurata. I materiali e i tessuti che contengono sbiancanti ottici possono apparire simili sotto la luce dello s...

Nelle nostre scelte alimentari, il colore ha una funzione importantissima. Molti alimenti, come il formaggio svizzero, le fragole, i broccoli e il purè di patate hanno sempre lo stesso aspetto. Quando diamo il primo morso, sappiamo cosa aspettarci. E se invece il nostro purè fosse verde? Avrebbe un gusto diverso? Avremmo il coraggio di assaggiarlo? Perché l’analisi del colore è importante nell’industria alimentare Sono state condotte moltissime ricerche...

Che si stia scegliendo il colore per un brand, creando palette per una nuova linea di prodotti o progettando gli imballaggi per la nuova stagione, l'ispirazione è fondamentale nella scelta dei colori. L’ispirazione può venire dalle situazioni e luoghi più comuni, per esempio: Una festa. Il negozio di alimentari. Un evento sportivo. E naturalmente, gli splendidi ambienti esterni. Madre Natura ha un talento speciale per creare bellissime palette colori. “I colori p...

Sostieni che il colore è importante, ma ne conosci a fondo importanza? In realtà, il colore è un elemento fondamentale nel processo di produzione. Oggi, molti produttori si rendono conto che ottenere il colore esatto è molto più complicato di quanto fosse in passato, e ricevono richieste di tolleranze più rigorose dai brand owner che supportano. Ecco perché. Se i progressi nella tecnologia del colore – p.e., packaging metallici, finiture pe...

Nel 2006, X-Rite ha acquisito la Munsell Color Company. Con l’acquisizione ci siamo assicurati un importante patrimonio di scienza del colore, standard cromatici e strumenti per l’analisi dell’attitudine visiva ai colori. Oggi riesaminiamo il contributo di Albert Munsell al mondo del colore e condividiamo i prodotti ispirati al suo lavoro che ci permettono di gestire il colore in un’ampia gamma di settori, fra cui packaging, abbigliamento, calzature, componenti elettronic...

Il color management ha generato una miriade di opportunità per inchiostri nuovi e particolari su un’ampia gamma di substrati come carta, tessuto, ceramica, materiali trasparenti e molti altri ancora. Per garantire di poter mantenere sempre accurato il colore quando si eseguono i lavori con queste nuove applicazioni, è necessario creare un profilo di stampa per ogni combinazione di stampante, inchiostro e substrato. X-Rite offre gli strumenti giusti per creare i profili in modo rapido e semplice....

I clienti alle prime armi in materia di gestione del colore spesso ci domandano: "Qual è la differenza tra uno spettrometro e uno spettrofotometro?". Dal punto di vista ortografico, la differenza è minima ed è, quindi, facile confondersi e ottenere la risposta sbagliata a questa domanda. E allora, qual è la differenza? Spettrometri e spettrofotometri a confronto     Cos'è uno spettrofotometro? Uno spettrofotometro è un dispositivo di misurazion...

In this series we’ve been discussing the many factors that impact how we see color, and what we can do to ensure the color we see is accurate. Light, retinal fatigue and background effects can influence our perception of color. Today we’ll look at the limitations of the human eye and brain, and talk about how to detect these characteristics, especially for individuals responsible for evaluating and judging color. Are YOU color deficient? Read on to find out. (Spoiler alert: There’s a test at the...

There are many things that affect our ability to see color. In some cases, it doesn’t matter if the red you see is the same shade I see. A barn is a barn, right? But for those who work in an industry where color evaluation is part of the job, it IS important… VERY important. In our color perception series, we’re discussing the many factors that affect how we see color and what colorists can do to ensure that the color they see is the color they are supposed to see. Today we’ll take a closer look...

As the temperature of light changes, so does our perception of color. As I mentioned in our last post, light plays a huge role in the way we perceive color. Today we’ll look at the science of color in manufacturing and photography; specifically how an object’s reflective and absorptive properties and viewing technology can impact the colors we perceive. To reflect or not to reflect… that is the question. The colors an object absorbs and reflects is determined by its material – is it metal, plas...

Gli spettrofotometri da banco misurano in trasmissione e/o in riflettanza per acquisire e quantificare il colore su campioni opachi, trasparenti e traslucidi. Gli spettrofotometri per riflettanza misurano il colore emettendo una luce lampeggiante sulla superficie del campione e misurando la percentuale di riflettanza spettrale delle diverse lunghezze d’onda, con incrementi di 10 nanometri. Questo blog spiega il funzionamento della misurazione spettrale in riflettanza per consentirti di de...

Esistono due tipi di modelli di colore: additivo e sottrattivo. Oggi spiegheremo la miscelazione additiva, nota anche come modello di colore additivo o sistema di colore additivo. L'occhio umano mescola i tre colori primari additivi RGB - rosso, verde e blu - in varie combinazioni e intensità per simulare l'intera gamma di colori presenti in natura. La luce riflessa che contiene una miscela di rosso, verde e blu puro viene percepita come bianca. Quando non c'è luce, percepiamo il nero. Questa ...

Secondo autolist.com, al giorno d'oggi oltre l'80% delle auto prodotte è di colore bianco, nero o grigio. I colori brillanti e audaci, infatti, non sono soltanto più difficili da produrre e far corrispondere rispetto alle tonalità appartenenti della scala del grigio, ma richiedono anche più tempo durante le fasi di ispirazione e progettazione.   Che tu ci creda o no, prima che un nuovo colore per auto sia pronto per lo showroom possono volerci anche cinque a...

Cerchi lo strumento di misurazione del colore migliore per la tua sala stampa? Per aiutarti nella decisione, dai un’occhiata ai tre livelli di controllo dei processi per valutare il colore stampato. Il livello più elementare è il confronto visivo. L’attitudine visiva ai colori, però, è soggettiva e di conseguenza la valutazione visiva può essere fuorviata da questa soggettività, soprattutto se effettuata tra vari operatori di macchina e con diverse sorgenti luminose. Se la precisione del ...

There are many things that affect what we see. Optical illusions aren’t just fascinating; they teach us about how we visually perceive our surroundings. In our Color Perception Series, we shared some of the factors that affect how we see color and the impact it has on manufacturing. In honor of April Fools' Day, we’re taking a closer look at some of the ways our brain, eyes, and the environment can influence what we see. April Fool #1: Your Brain Let’s start with the power of t...

Quality control is an important aspect of any color workflow. While many of our customers use a handheld spectrophotometer for QC, there are times a benchtop spectrophotometer is a more appropriate choice. Today we’ll explore some of the reasons you might want to choose a benchtop for quality control and offer tips to ensure your QC workflow is the best it can be. Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Benchtop Spectrophotometer for Quality Control 1 - Your Color Tolerances are Tight While our handhel...

Are your customers rejecting shipments due to incorrect color? Are you identifying color issues during quality control? If your bottom line depends on color accuracy, you need to ensure your spectrophotometer is not the cause. Color drift is a big issue for a lot of companies. Even worse, many don’t even know it’s happening. Here are some ways to make sure your spectrophotometer is operating within specification to always capture accurate and consistent measurement data. Causes of Sp...

The International Standards Organization has defined ISO 12647 as a set of Graphic Arts standards for printing. Included are eight parts: Part 1:  Print parameters and measurement methods Part 2:  Offset lithographic processes Part 3:  Coldset offset lithography on newsprint Part 4:  Gravure printing Part 5:  Screen printing Part 6:  Flexographic printing Part 7:  Proofing processes working directly from digital data Part 8:  Validation print processes wo...

Per misurare il colore, lo strumento invia luce su un campione, cattura la quantità di luce che viene trasmessa o riflessa nell’intervallo di lunghezza d'onda da 380 a 780 nm e la quantifica come misurazione spettrale. La misurazione del colore è necessaria per specificare, quantificare, comunicare, formulare e verificare la qualità del colore nei lavori in cui il colore è importantissimo. Dato che ogni persona percepisce il colore in un modo diverso, la misuraz...

Learn about light, reflection curves, optical brighteners, and more.     Illuminants Electro magnetic radiation in the wavelength range from 380 nm to 730 nm is seen as light by our eyes. Low wavelengths show as blue light, then the spectrum continues from green to yellow, orange, and red. UV radiation is located in the range below 380 nm; the range above 730 nm is called infrared radiation. The visual impression of a colored body changes by the composition of the incoming light. ...

L’aspetto superficiale può modificare la tua percezione del colore. Pensa a una rivista patinata. Se la pagina è esposta alla luce diretta, dovrai probabilmente inclinare la rivista e cambiare l’angolo di riflessione per vedere con chiarezza i colori. Allo stesso modo, una superficie testurizzata può apparire di colore differente rispetto a una sezione liscia dello stesso oggetto. Dato che gli spettrofotometri determinano i valori spettrali di un colore inviando...

COVID-19 ha obbligato molte aziende a ripensare le modalità di comunicazione, approvazione e produzione del colore. Per alcune ha significato provare a continuare il “business come sempre”, ma da postazioni remote. Per altre, trovare il modo di gestire il colore senza effettuare spostamenti. Sappiamo però che i nostri clienti fanno sempre tutto quello che è in loro potere per sostenere l’attività e, allo stesso tempo, garantire la salute e la sicure...

2020 has definitely been a year for the record books. As many of you looked for new and creative ways to work, we tried to support you with learning resources.  Today we’re looking back on the topics that captured the most attention this year. From the basics of color science to choosing the best color measurement instrument for your needs (and learning how to use it), here’s what captured our Learning Resource Leader Board for 2020. Top 10 Learning Resources of 2020 #1  &...

Black Friday. Not only is it the much anticipated start to holiday shopping, it’s also a day manufacturers have been preparing for all year long. Whether mass-producing holiday cards, candy canes, plastic toys, or festive clothing, accurate color is a must. Manufacturers can’t ship two of the same toy if they won’t match on the showroom floor, and holiday sweaters that are a shade off will end up at a discount store instead of a fashion boutique. Perfection is especially import...

Like the additive color model, subtractive color mixes wavelengths of light to produce what we perceive as color. However, the subtractive model uses pigments or ink to block – subtract – light rather than adding it.  Combining two pure additive primaries produces a subtractive primary. The subtractive primaries of cyan, magenta, and yellow are the opposing colors to red, green, and blue. Cyan is opposite Red Magenta is opposite Green Yellow is opposi...

Recently we had the opportunity to sit down with Laura Guido-Clark, a consumer products designer of color, material, and texture. She has been dubbed an “Experience Consultant,” which reflects her interest and study of human reactions to the look and feel of new products.   Photo by Laura Flippen. We asked Guido-Clark to speak with us because we also appreciate the importance of color in our lives.   Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in color? A. When I wa...

A calibrated display is not just for photographers. If you browse inspiration photos online, send color samples back and forth via e-mail, or transfer color files between suppliers and customers, you need to calibrate and profile your display to trust the colors you see on-screen.     When talking about monitor calibration, many people interchange illuminance, luminance and brightness, but they are not the same. Here are the differences you need to understand to properly calibrate and...

Nella stampa, il controllo dei processi può essere effettuato a vari livelli. Il confronto visivo può servire per una prima, elementare valutazione della corrispondenza, ma è estremamente soggettivo e non assicura molta precisione né ripetibilità. L’impiego di un densitometro può fornire un feedback quantitativo concreto agli operatori di macchina. Le informazioni utili possono comprendere misurazioni della densità dell’inchiostro sol...

I nostri clienti che ora sono in smart working devo essere consapevoli del fatto che cambiando anche una minima variabile – per esempio approvare i colori da casa con una diversa sorgente luminosa oppure inviare per e-mail le specifiche invece di spedire un campione fisico – possono introdurre problematiche che rischiano di determinare un problema di colore più importante. La prima, fondamentale fase del controllo del colore è una comunicazione accurata del colore. Queste risorse ti aiuteranno ...

Gli spettrofotometri sono dispositivi di misurazione del colore utilizzati per acquisire e valutare il colore. Nell'ambito di un programma di controllo del colore, i designer e i brand owner li utilizzano per specificare e comunicare il colore, mentre i produttori se ne servono per controllare la precisione del colore in tutte le fasi della produzione. Gli spettrofotometri sono in grado di misurare praticamente tutto – liquidi, materie plastiche, carta, metalli e tessuti – e contribuiscono a man...

Gli schermi di telefoni e computer rappresentano l'accesso al mondo digitale del colore, ma se approvi i colori via e-mail o sms devi essere consapevole dei loro limiti.  Per cominciare, ogni dispositivo visualizza il colore basandosi su un diverso modello cromatico. I dispositivi di input – videocamera e monitor – ricorrono al modello additivo per visualizzare il colore. Iniziano con l’oscurità e aggiungono luce rossa, verde e blu per creare uno spettro di colori. Le stampanti, p...

Il tuo programma di controllo qualità comprende la valutazione visiva? L’illuminazione ha una funzione fondamentale nel modo in cui percepiamo i colori. Può aiutarti a verificare l’accettabilità del colore dei tuoi prodotti e a fare in modo che rimanga accurato in ogni possibile condizione d'illuminazione a cui sarà sottoposto dopo l’acquisto.     Per molti dei nostri clienti ora la valutazione visiva è ancor più importante, considerato che le analisi e le approvazioni dei colori v...

Nella percezione del colore entrano in gioco tantissimi elementi, come la luce, la genetica, l’ambiente, le caratteristiche psicologiche e persino la stanchezza. Potresti rientrare nel numero di persone (1 donna su 255 e 1 uomo su 12) che hanno un difetto di visione del colore. Il nostro online color challenge è un modo divertente per capire meglio il tuo livello di attitudine visiva ai colori.     A prescindere dal tuo livello specifico, se comunichi, valuti o approvi il co...

Il colore è sempre stato un elemento fondamentale per i nostri clienti. A causa della pandemia da COVID-19, molte persone stanno ora cercando di progettare, specificare, comunicare e infine realizzare colori accurati da postazioni remote o utilizzando meno personale e minori risorse. Ti è difficile proseguire il programma di qualità del colore in questo momento senza precedenti?  Abbiamo raccolto le nostre risorse più apprezzate – blog, video, white paper, webinar e case study – per a...

Managing color throughout production is always a challenge, but advances in color technology, like the metallic, shimmer, and pearlescence effects designed to capture consumer attention, are taking the frustration to a whole new level for quality control managers. This is especially true when producing parts that must match at assembly, such as the metal panels for a home appliance or the painted side mirrors for a vehicle.  Special effects are tricky to control because our perception can c...

Quando vediamo il colore, i nostri occhi possono essere ingannati. In parte, ciò dipende dalla limitatezza del nostro cervello, che è chiamato a gestire una vasta quantità di informazioni elaborandole meglio che può. Può dipendere anche da questioni genetiche e dall’ambiente; ognuno di noi vede il colore in modo leggermente diverso. Ma soprattutto, è la LUCE ad avere il maggiore impatto sui colori che vediamo.  Senza entrare troppo nel tecnico...

Durable goods and consumer electronics are no longer destined to be white, gray, and black. In fact, consumers are moving towards more classic colors and special effect finishes like metallics. To capitalize on this trend, brands need to bring innovative designs in new colors faster to market than ever before.   One trending color, the PANTONE Color of the Year 2020, is sure to capture the attention of durable good and consumer electronic brands. It is a simple, timeless, elegant, and endur...

I dispositivi di misurazione del colore servono per acquisire, comunicare e valutare il colore. Imballaggi in cartone, alimenti, detersivo, tappeti, piccoli componenti in plastica... questi dispositivi aiutano a garantire che il colore realizzato concordi con quello originariamente specificato. Sono utilizzati, dietro le quinte, praticamente in ogni settore in cui è importante il colore, per esempio materie plastiche, prodotti tessili, vernici, rivestimenti, stampa e imballaggi Gli strum...

Spectrophotometers are color measurement devices that measure color to ensure it remains consistent from the time it’s specified until final quality check. They can be used to measure everything from liquids and plastics to paper, metal, and fabrics for just about every industry.   Here Are Our Top Spectrophotometer Picks for 2019.   Best Spectrophotometer to Create Digital Standards Using a digital standard is the most accurate way to specify and communicate color, des...

Ogni colore ha uno specifico e distinto aspetto, basato su tre attributi principali – tonalità, croma (saturazione) e valore (luminosità). Quando si descrive un colore, è importante utilizzare tutti e tre questi attributi per identificare con precisione il colore e distinguerlo dagli altri colori. Cos’è la tonalità? Per tonalità si intende il modo in cui la maggior parte delle persone percepisce e denomina un colore – utilizzando i colo...

When you think of Albert Munsell, do you think of dirt, food and electrical wires? The United States government does. Munsell Color Standards are used for more than just design and Fine Art. They’re also used to ensure safety and reliability, and to maintain compliance with federal regulations. Today we’ll look at some of the government agencies and trade associations that rely on Munsell’s exacting standard color codes. French Fries, Anyone? From tomatoes to pumpkins, Munse...

Il cliente ha scartato l'ultima spedizione a causa del colore. Hai controllato il colore prima di effettuare la spedizione e il test di tolleranza era stato superato... Anche la volta precedente avevi effettuato la stessa identica procedura, e il test di tolleranza era stato superato... Allora perché questa volta è stato scartato? I nostri clienti ci rivolgono sempre questa domanda. Il temuto “accumulo di errori” Gli scarti dovuti al colore creano sprechi e aumentano i...

For the last few Decembers, we’ve provided you with a list of “top color measurement blogs” for that respective year. As we reviewed this year’s list, we noticed that your favorite/ the most-read blogs could be categorized into a few buckets. So, without further ado, here’s 2018’s top blog topics!  2018’s Most Popular Color Measurement Topic: Tolerancing Not to our team’s surprise, Tolerancing – what it is/what it means for your busines...

Each year, Pantone announces its highly anticipated “Color of the Year”. The selection is intended to serve as a strategic direction for design and color-conscious industries as well as a conversation piece around our culture, where it is going and what we collectively need…and it certainly gets everyone talking about color!  Color is no longer just something we see and appreciate - it enhances and influences the way we experience life. Color, as a strategic element of d...

Like geographic coordinates – longitude, latitude, and altitude – L*a*b* color values give us a way to locate and communicate colors. What’s the history of L*a*b*? In the 1940’s, Richard Hunter introduced a tri-stimulus model, Lab, which is scaled to achieve near uniform spacing of perceived color differences. While Hunter’s Lab was adopted as the de facto model for plotting absolute color coordinates and differences between colors, it was never formally accepted as...

To understand how color management works, you need a basic knowledge of the additive and subtractive systems of color reproduction. Both use a small number of primary colors that combine to produce a large number – or gamut – of colors… but the way they do that is quite different. In our Color Perception Part 1: The Effect of Light  post, we explained how the visible color spectrum (we know it as the rainbow) encompasses light wavelengths from approximately 380 to 720 nm....

Closed-loop color can mean something different to different audiences. When I first think about closed-loop color control, I may think about the pressroom, where it is really just a question of integrating measurements directly from the press, adjusting them, measuring and reporting, offering a nice closed-loop system that adjusts, controls, and allows me to report the results. But that’s really only one small aspect. You can incorporate a loop from the ink room, for instance, and bring t...

Warm weather is just around the corner and spring is in the air!   Fluffy yellow chicks…   Delicate pink tulips…   Soft green sprouts poking through the ground…   And, of course, spring M&M'S®! Advertisers target our springtime emotions through pastel colors. Pastels have a calming effect, and everywhere you look companies are using them to feed our desire to feel a bit of spring. Today we’ll take a look at the psychology of color, how marke...

Per controllare il colore devi essere in grado di confrontare anche le più piccole differenze, determinarne l’impatto e comprendere il modo di trattare tale impatto. In questa serie abbiamo già esaminato la storia dell’analisi del colore e il ruolo della luce nelle tolleranze. Oggi analizzeremo la differenza tra uno spazio colore e una tolleranza colore, e presenteremo i metodi più comuni. Spazi colore Uno spazio colore ci fornisce il modo di comunicare il color...

Have you ever bought something at the store, only to return home and realize it doesn't match anything in your house? It's not the color that changed. It's the way you perceived it. To control color, you need to be able to compare very small differences, determine their impact and understand how to address that impact. In this three-part series, we're looking at the key components of tolerancing. If you missed part one, The History of Color Analysis, check it out now. Today's topic explains how ...

Per controllare il colore devi essere in grado di confrontare anche le più piccole differenze, determinarne l’impatto e comprendere il modo di trattare tale impatto. Le parole, da sole, non ci danno le informazioni sufficienti a descrivere con precisione il colore, e nemmeno le differenze tra i vari colori. In questa serie suddivisa in tre parti esamineremo la scienza del colore alla base delle tolleranze –  l’analisi del colore che ha aperto la strada, il ruolo della luce e la differ...

The two most common spectrophotometers are the 0:45 and the sphere (aka diffuse/8°). We get a lot of questions about which is the best choice. Here’s the difference in how these two devices measure color, and guidelines for when to use each. 0:45 In a “fixed geometry” or “single angle” device, the first number is the starting point of the light, and the second number is where the light ends up after the reflection off the surface of the sample. In a 0:45 ...

At the end of each year we enjoy looking back at our most popular blogs because it’s a great way for us to understand what interests you – our readers. As the years go by, we have discovered a few make the list again and again. This year the Top Ten is split down the middle between color theory and manufacturing best practices. Have you read them all? Top Five Color Theory Topics of 2017 1. Color Perception Part 1: The Effect of Light   Remember “The Dress?” Was it ...

Appearance is more than simply color. It’s a comprehensive look at everything inherent to each unique material we come in contact with, including texture, gloss, transparency, and special effects. Each of these characteristics plays a part and has an effect on overall appearance and understanding in relation to a single material. Objects may have several elements that affect appearance, such as the material’s surface texture, construction, overall geometry and micro-surface. The environ...

Spectrophotometers are color measurement devices used to specify and communicate color and monitor accuracy throughout production. There are spectrophotometers to measure just about anything, from liquids and plastics to paper, metal and fabrics. Brand owners, designers, lab techs and quality control professionals rely on them to ensure color remains consistent, from the time it’s specified until final quality check, in just about every industry. This Ci7800 benchtop spectrophotometer is measuri...

With today’s complex cross-media campaigns, accurate profiling is even more important for managing customer expectations across the color supply chain. Our i1Pro 2 solutions help photographers, videographers, prepress and digital printers create profiles for the best color on monitors, scanners, projectors, printers, and online web-to-print submission tools. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which is the right tool for your color workflow? Whether you’re looking to add a new comp...

It’s been said that everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten. Does this phrase ring true for print and packaging designers? In the spirit of spring, we attempted to use a simple childhood activity—dyeing eggs—to solve some of the most perplexing color issues facing the packaging designer/printer relationship.                 Here are three lessons to learn about color in print and packaging from our annual egg dyeing ...

Consistent color is a journey. A few weeks ago I blogged about the most common pitfalls people run into when starting a color program… Wrong lighting Less-than-perfect color vision Inaccurate physical standards Inconsistent device color measurement …And introduced some inexpensive color tools to help overcome them.   But the journey doesn’t stop there. Even if you’ve been successfully managing color for years, advances in inks, dyes, and substrates are introducing new challen...

At X-Rite Pantone, we pride ourselves on our ability to help customers specify, communicate, formulate, and produce consistent color. You’re probably familiar with our major markets, like plastics, industrial coatings, and print & packaging. You may also be aware of the more “common” things we measure, like paint, printed surfaces, and textiles. But, as you look for the emergency exit on a plane, watch a butterfly float by, or choose the freshest package of cheese from the ...

At X-Rite Pantone, we love color, and we’re passionate about helping you get yours right. That’s why we offer a full-service training program, staffed with Color Experts from many of the industries we serve. From beginner to advanced, lowest investment to highest return, we offer a variety of options to teach you everything you need to know to be successful. Are you new to color, wondering where it fits in your business objectives? Do you already have a color workflow, but ...

Our color measurement devices are used by designers, brand owners, formulators, printers, and manufacturers around the world. Ranging from portable handheld devices, to large benchtop instruments, to spectrophotometers mounted inline, they can measure just about anything to help formulate and maintain a perfect color match. Many of our customers, especially those in the paint industry, are asked to color match some pretty interesting things, and we love to hear about them. We recently asked 40 p...

When you walk into a salon for a manicure or visit your favorite beauty products store, are you overwhelmed by the number of nail polish colors to choose from, but can’t actually find the color you want? This is a problem Ashley Morgan set out to solve. Morgan, who has a fine arts degree, has spent the last 15 years designing video games. She’s both creative and tech savvy. “I’m a nail polish advocate, and I don’t mind spending the time choosing a nail polish color,” she says. “But the availabl...

Whether it’s using Munsell Color Standards or one of our many color measurement devices, X-Rite helps manufacturers around the world achieve accurate color. We talked to our support team to learn about some of the most interesting ways people have used our equipment to measure and control color. From archeologists to fur traders and gastroenterologists, here are a few of our favorites. In 2014, the city of Los Angeles used one of our handheld spectrophotometers to help remove more than 37 millio...

Beginning around the 1930’s, the rules of fashion dictated no white before Memorial Day. It was a status symbol, when the wealthy left their winter garments behind and headed to the beach for the summer with their lightweight, carefree clothes. Although the rule still loosely applies, modern day fashion is more concerned with the brightness of your whites than when you start wearing them. So how do manufacturers ensure their products are as white as they can be? Optical brightening agents ...

You’ve probably heard of popular detectives like Sherlock Holmes and high school sleuth Nancy Drew, who have gained notoriety by solving the toughest crimes. With so many color mysteries out there, we thought it was time to do some investigating of our own in the mysterious realm of color. In our Color Detective blog series, we’ll be tackling some of the biggest mysteries in color, starting with this red ball… Which isn’t actually red. The ball on the left is not green...

Did you know that many of the products you use every day contain optical brighteners? Optical brightening agents are chemicals that manufacturers add to products like paper, plastics, and textiles to make them appear whiter and brighter, and to lessen the natural yellowing process that happens over time. They also add these chemicals to cleaning agents to enhance the appearance of materials – primarily textiles – after cleaning. Often unacknowledged by the typical consumer, OBAs trick our eyes i...

Sharing a strong passion for how color can transform a face, mood or even an attitude, Pantone® has once again partnered with Sephora, the leading beauty specialty retailer, to create another extraordinary PANTONE Color of the Year cosmetic collection. Launched on December 26th, the SEPHORA + PANTONE UNIVERSE collection includes a 24-color eyes palette, a matte lipstick in each color, and a 5-piece lip gloss set. The first SEPHORA + PANTONE UNIVERSE collection was released in 2011 with Tangerine...

Which of these swatches would you call bright red? PANTONE FASHION, HOME + INTERIORS Color Specifier pages Speaking the language of color isn’t like giving someone your phone number and expecting they’ll remember it. Our minds just don’t process color like that. While vague color descriptions are sufficient for many people – “Turn left at the blue house” or “choose the reddest strawberries” – if you work in an industry where color is important, you need to know how to speak a much more spe...

Dear Manufacturers, Valentine’s Day is a kind-hearted holiday, with everyone from spouses to grandparents to co-workers sharing their love and appreciation for each other. We’re happy to report that it might be extra profitable for you this year. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are opening their wallets a little wider than they did in 2015. A Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics predicts 54.8 percent of consumers will celebrate Valentine’s D...

No matter the industry, consistency and exacting data are essential to every color quality control program. Whether you’re communicating color, making color decisions, or conducting diagnostics testing based on color, you can rely on Munsell Color standards. These honey, syrup, and molasses standards help the USDA determine which products pass inspection. Along with its huge library of color standards, Munsell Color can also produce custom physical standards to help you validate you...

The Fundamentals of Color and Appearance – FOCA for short – is a very popular one-day seminar for anyone who deals with color. From the best way to communicate color so everyone is speaking the same language, to tips for judging the smallest color differences, you’ll learn everything you need to know to measure, view, and understand color data in any industry. Whether you’re dealing with plastics, textiles or paints, or using dyes, inks or other colorants, the basics of color are very similar. B...

January is a popular time for “Top” lists. The Top 100 Songs. The Top 20 News Stories. The Top 50 Travel Destinations. We’re looking back too, and blog readership is one area we find very interesting. Today we’ll share the Top 5 Posts of 2015, what we think they say about you – our blog readers – and how we plan to continue these popular conversations in 2016. New in 2015: The X-Rite Pantone Customer Center at our corporate headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a great place to see our produ...

Mark Gundlach is a Solutions Architect with X-Rite Pantone. He visits facilities to assess their current workflow and help them come up with solutions – whether it be training, software or hardware – to improve their productivity and lower their costs. He is also an expert in the Pantone Certified Printer Program. Recently we sat down with him to learn more about the program, and what it takes to become Pantone Certified. Mark, can you tell us about the Pantone Certified Printer Program and wh...

Many print shops use more than one color measurement instrument, especially for cross-media color reproduction. But if you’ve ever measured the same color with different instruments, you’ve probably noticed that the numbers don’t always match. Why is that? Spectrophotometers measure color by capturing the ratio of reflected or transmitted light from the surface of the sample and comparing it to a known reference standard. The result is a spectral fingerprint for that color. But since calibration...

Color is a critical factor when selecting cosmetics and skin tone products. Women everywhere venture into stores, compare sample after sample trying to find the closest match, and hope for the best. With hundreds of different options, product lines and color palettes, buying makeup can be an expensive and frustrating process. Color technology to the rescue. Today we’ll look at how the CAPSURE Cosmetic spectrocolorimeter and the CAPSUREme mobile app are revolutionizing the way women buy makeup. ...

As an Applications Engineer and Technical Support Specialist at X-Rite, I get a lot of calls from frustrated customers who don’t understand why they can’t get their color right. They’re tired of the trial and error, rework, and wasted materials that are impacting their bottom line and credibility with customers. They just want their color workflow to WORK and FLOW. Why is it so hard? Today we’ll walk through the top 8 reasons color control programs fail, so you can evalua...

The spectral reflectance curve provided by a spectrophotometer is commonly known as the color’s “fingerprint”. Spectrophotometers are color measurement devices used to capture and evaluate color. As part of a color control program, brand owners and designers use them to specify and communicate color, and manufacturers use them to monitor color accuracy throughout production. Spectrophotometers can measure just about anything, including liquids, plastics, paper, metal and fabr...

Molte aziende investono denaro e tempo in abbondanza negli strumenti e nei software di misurazione del colore ma dimenticano quanto sia importante l’illuminazione al momento di approvare i prodotti che dovranno essere spediti. Se utilizzati correttamente, gli spettrofotometri e i software per la gestione del colore possono confermarti se i colori realizzati rientrano nei limiti di tolleranza, e anche gestire lucidità e metamerismo (v. a seguire la spiegazione di metamerismo). Tuttav...

Our friends at Pantone show the Pantone colors present in the image. We love when color perception questions like this, and #TheDress, pop up. Color matching is something we deal with every day. We understand the challenges, and we love to explain them! Today we’ll look at why our eyes are confused by the shoe and polish, how the experts would choose the color that matches best, and which color she should choose. Why the confusion? Lighting The visible color spectrum, what we know as the rainbo...

Accurate color is important to brand owners and print shops alike. Brand owners want to know their specified colors can be reliably produced each and every time, and printers need a fail-proof workflow to consistently achieve those colors without rework and waste. The PANTONE® Certified Printer™ Program makes it all possible. PANTONE Certification helps printers establish and maintain effective SOPs and implement benchmark processes, from the ink kitchen through prepress and production. It’s a ...

Warm weather is just around the corner and spring is in the air!   Fluffy yellow chicks…   Delicate pink tulips…   Soft green sprouts poking through the ground…   And, of course, spring M&M'S®! Advertisers target our springtime emotions through pastel colors. Pastels have a calming effect, and everywhere you look companies are using them to feed our desire to feel a bit of spring. Today we’ll take a look at the psychology of color, how marke...

Color mistakes are expensive, and can happen anywhere in the process – during specification, formulation, manufacturing, assembly or – worst case – all of the above. Colors easily drift from raw materials to parts assembly and production – one loose screw in a projection molder and the color will shift. When productions and parts are created in various locations, things get further complicated. Who has time for rework? And who wants to explain the wasted time and materials? Every mistake is expensive. Adding mistakes to mistakes across the entire process is very expensive.

In addressing these issues, data is your friend. Measuring color, across the supply chain and during manufacturing and assembly is the only true way to ensure that color remains consistent. This is foundational to creating a color-managed workflow, and X-Rite’s new Ci7x00 series of benchtops sets a new benchmark for the industry. With up to five aperture sizes and three automated UV filters, the Ci7x00 devices can measure pretty much any surface, size and texture, including opaque, transparent and translucent, wet or dry, with or without gloss. Couple this with customer-friendly service and on-site maintenance for many issues, and you will be the color hero in your department.

So how do you know the color you measured is the color you want?