Technical library
Spectrophotometer & Color Measurement Knowledge Base
Evergreen technical guidance for choosing instruments, understanding color science, setting tolerances and improving color quality control. Every guide is written for the practical decisions a color team has to make.
Browse by topic
Where do you want to start?
Every guide sits under one of these topics, from the fundamentals of color measurement through to instrument selection and troubleshooting.
01
Buying & Selection
Choosing between models and specifications against the tolerance you actually need to hold.
13 guides →02
Calibration & Maintenance
Keeping an instrument trustworthy: calibration routines, checks and long-term stability.
1 guide →03
Color Science
The theory behind the numbers: CIELAB, color spaces, illuminants, observers and metamerism.
25 guides →04
Instrument Specifications
Repeatability, inter-instrument agreement, aperture size, spectral resolution and UV capability.
12 guides →05
Measurement Geometry
d/8 and 45/0 geometry, integrating spheres, SCI and SCE, and multi-angle measurement.
18 guides →06
Measurement Techniques
Practical method: sample preparation, presentation, averaging and how to record a result.
47 guides →07
Spectrophotometers
What the instrument measures, how portable and benchtop models differ, and when each one fits a production floor.
8 guides →08
Standards
The standards and tolerances that define an acceptable color match.
3 guides →09
Troubleshooting
Diagnosing variation, unexpected values and disagreements between instruments.
1 guide →Latest technical guides
Start with the most recent guides
101 published guides across 9 topics, written and reviewed for industrial color measurement.
Buying & Selection
How to Specify a Spectrophotometer for a Research Grant or Procurement Tender
Write a defensible spectrophotometer specification for a research grant or procurement tender, covering requirements, acceptance testing, total cost and supplier documents.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Color Science
Using Spectral Reflectance Data in Academic Research
Use spectral reflectance data in academic research by capturing metadata, recalculating colorimetric values, reporting uncertainty and managing datasets properly.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Instrument Specifications
What Spectrophotometer Specifications Matter for Research?
Understand the spectrophotometer specifications that affect research quality, including repeatability, agreement, spectral range, geometry, aperture, data and calibration.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Buying & Selection
Portable vs Benchtop Spectrophotometers for Academic Research
Compare portable and benchtop spectrophotometers for academic research by sample type, measurement mode, field use, repeatability, data and shared-lab workflow.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Buying & Selection
Best Spectrophotometer Setup for Teaching Color Science
Plan a practical color-science teaching laboratory around learning outcomes, student access, repeatable methods, software, datasets and instrument management.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Buying & Selection
How to Choose a Spectrophotometer for a University Laboratory
A practical framework for choosing a university spectrophotometer around teaching, research, shared-facility, sample, data and procurement requirements.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Buying & Selection
Choosing a Spectrophotometer for Building Materials
Choose a building-material spectrophotometer by matching geometry, aperture, UV, portability, fixtures, surface contact and site agreement to real products.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Delta E
Color Tolerances for Architectural Finishes
Set architectural color tolerances from a named formula, controlled surface method, approved boundary samples, adjacency risk and measurement capability.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Color Science
Whiteness and Yellowness in Building Products
Use whiteness and yellowness indices on comparable building products with a named formula, illuminant, observer, UV condition and controlled surface state.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Need a recommendation?
Not sure which guide answers your question?
Tell us what you measure, the tolerance you need to hold and the material you are working with. We will point you at the right instrument and measurement method.
Color tools
Color conversion and measurement tools
Use these free browser-based tools to convert color values and compare measured samples.
Color difference
Delta E Calculator
Compare two CIELAB readings using common Delta E formulas and understand the difference between the samples.
Open the calculator →Screen color formats
Color Converter
Convert between HEX, RGB, HSL and CMYK values with an instant color preview.
Open the converter →Measured color values
Lab / LCh / XYZ Converter
Convert between CIE XYZ, CIELAB and CIELCh values with the reference white and observer clearly identified.
Open the converter →