The fundamentals of colorimetry

Color and color measurement

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At Datacolor, we understand that details matter, color is key and precise, consistent replication is essential. That’s why we are keen to provide you with the insights, tools and support you need to get your colors right every time.

With this in mind, we’ve created a series of e-books, including an introduction to the basic concepts of colorimetry and their commercial application. The first eBook explains the basics, including fundamental terms and common concepts. The following eBooks will give more details of the color science concepts put into commercial applications. We hope this material expands your understanding and use of color technology tools.

You want to learn more about color, and understand the complexity of getting the colors right?

Take your chance and benefit from our expertise!

Book 1 gives you the fundamentals:

  • Introduction – color and color perception
  • The importance of product appearance
  • The natural classification of colors
  • Classification system based on physical samples
Book 2 explains the subjective nature of color and how the science of colorimetry offers useful tools to help define the otherwise very subjective experience of color:
  • The triplet of color: light source – object – observer
  • The light source: the interplay between light and matter, and the various illuminant types
  • The object: the interplay between light and matter and the color characteristics of matter
  • The eye and the observer
Book 3 explains that measurement of a color is to standardize color vision, where the two factors, light and the observer are standardized:
  • Luminous efficiency of the human eye – lightness
  • The human observer's perception of color stimulus
  • The colorimetric 2° or 10° standard observer
  • The chromaticity diagram according to the CIE standard colorimetric system
Book 4 covers:
  • Color distances and acceptability of colors
  • Color differences in the CIELab color space
  • Color deviations, and color tolerances in the CIELab color space L
  • Color Measurement Committee (CMC) compliance system
  • Various color distance formulas
  • Metamerism
Book 5 covers:
  • Measurement techniques in colorimetry
  • Measurement instruments and the technology behind them
  • Recommended procedure for sample preparation and color measurement