Colour assessment

What matters?

Colour assessment plays a key role in quality assurance, as you抣l discover throughout this website. To be certain of reliable results, two factors are of paramount importance:
A light source of the right quality.

Standardised viewing conditions.

Quality light sources

Both natural and artificial light sources can vary so much that light must be accurately measurable in order to grade its performance. The three key performance factors of light are colour temperature, colour rendering and spectral power distribution.

Colour temperature

This is expressed as Kelvin (K) and has nothing to do with heat. Instead it attaches a value to the colour appearance of a light source, and this varies with its spectral power distribution (see below). For example, fluorescent lamps such as the CIE Illuminant 'A' have lower colour temperatures and so look red; while lamps with a higher colour temperature such as the Warm White Fluorescent look blue. There are three standard light sources: the most widely used is D65 (6500 K) for surface colour industries - paint, textiles, plastics etc - and D50 (5000 K) for the graphic arts industry. Other specialist applications use D75 (7500 K).

Colour rendering index (CRI)

CRI values measure how well a lamp renders colours relative to a reference light source. The CRI index ranges from 0-100, with 100 representing an exact match. A lamp such as the PHILIPS D65, with a CRI of 98, will therefore show colours more accurately than a lamp such as the CWF, with a CRI of 62. CRI rating is recognised by the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

Spectral power distribution (SPD)

Light is made up of the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which the normal human eye sees as colours. But some light sources are highly concentrated at different areas of the spectrum, and this distorts the colour appearance of objects. For this reason SPD rating is used to numerically characterise a light source. This is done by measuring its relative SPD values at each discrete wavelength. This measurement is compared against the CIE standard to determine how well that particular light source renders or distorts colours. D65 is the CIE抯 recommended light source for colour assessment, as it comprises the entire electromagnetic spectrum in almost equal proportions.

Standardisation of viewing conditions

Standardisation is the keystone of effective supply chain colour management. In matters of colour assessment, most industries conform to a system developed by the CIE (Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage) and enshrined in a number of international (ISO) standards.

Therefore, everyone in a supply chain needs to ensure that the equipment they use, and the environment they use it in, meets CIE and relevant ISO standards. Key aspects of best practice that need to be considered include:

Observer colour perception

All of us see certain colours in slightly different ways. Therefore, for everyone involved in making color decisions, it is advisable to test their color perception first. 3nhlighting can advise you how to do this? See eyesight test.

Optimum point of sale viewing

Eventually, finished product will be seen by your customers at a point of sale. It's therefore important to determine at the design stage how you want the colour to appear in those critical lighting conditions and in everyday use.

Lux levels

Lux is a unit for measuring the amount of light. The Lux level requirements vary depending on the task you are performing and the materials you are using. The lux level is too low or too high to achieve proper color rendering.

Metamerism

If two coloured materials have identical spectral reflection curves, they will match visually under any illuminant. If they have different spectral reflection curves, they may match visually less than one illuminant but mismatch under another. Such matches are termed metameric, and the cause is usually a difference in the colouring matter used in each material.

Metamerism can be checked in the 3nhlighting color evaluation cabinet, which has up to five different light sources. This and the flexibility of 3nhlighting's unique switch control unit allow for instant switching between lights to measure subtle metadata differences.

Colour assessment cabinets

Colour assessment cabinets must have neutral and blemish-free matt grey interiors. The quality of the lamp reflector is also important: a poor reflector will distort the light from the lamp. 3nhlighting reflectors use a special white coating, designed to maximise quality by reflecting all light evenly.

The siting of the cabinet is critical. For best results, all sources of interference with the visual response  - for example glare or extraneous lighting - must be eliminated. Any windows near the cabinet should be fitted with grey blinds; there should be no direct light in the field of view; all general lighting in the vicinity should be Philips' artificial daylight, reaching a level of 200-300 lux.