Packaging combines colorants with paper, board, film, plastic, metal, white ink, adhesive, varnish and laminate. Each layer can alter the measured spectrum. A practical method therefore begins with the finished construction and the commercial decision, then defines how a flat instrument aperture will represent it.
Classify the package construction
| Construction | Primary control |
|---|---|
| Folding carton or label | Coated side, board whiteness, backing, grain direction, varnish and crease-free measurement area. |
| Corrugated board | Liner variation, flute show-through, surface texture, representative aperture and multiple locations. |
| Flexible packaging | Film opacity, reverse print, white ink, laminate and a defined backing or filled-pack condition. |
| Rigid plastic or metal | Curvature, substrate or basecoat, gloss, texture and a fixture that presents the same area and angle. |
Choose the approval stage
Measure at the stage that carries the acceptance decision. Press-side readings are useful for control, but drying, curing, laminating, embossing, varnishing and forming can change color. Define a conditioning time and state whether the contract target applies to the press sheet, converted blank or finished pack.
Control the physical presentation
Use a flat area that fully covers the aperture. Support flexible samples without stretch or wrinkles. Use the specified white, black, self or product backing for translucent structures. A filled pouch and an empty pouch can differ because the contents and internal layers contribute to appearance. For curved packs, use a fixture or measure a flat retained coupon produced with the same process; do not rock a handheld instrument on the surface.
Build a sampling map
- Define panels, lanes, repeats and positions that represent the consumer-facing pack.
- Measure several packs and retain range as well as mean.
- Keep print direction and instrument orientation fixed on directional substrates.
- Separate local defects from systematic color drift.
- Trend substrate lots and converting lines so common-cause changes are visible.
Small logos and text may require a smaller aperture, but the instrument’s illuminated and measured areas must both fit within the feature. A micro-aperture is not a substitute for averaging a coarse or mottled substrate.
Separate color from other appearance attributes
Gloss, haze, metallic effect, texture and registration influence visual acceptance but are not fully described by one Delta E. Add the appropriate appearance, opacity or multi-angle method. Evaluate critical packs under controlled viewing conditions and connect the method to opacity, spot colors and instrument selection.
Last reviewed 22/09/2026 · Level: Intermediate
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