Knowledge Topic
Color Science
Technical library
Focused guides that help you make the next color-measurement decision with clarity.
Technical guides
Delta E
Delta E Tolerances for Paint
Set paint Delta E tolerances from approved visual trials, process capability and measurement uncertainty, then add component and appearance limits where total difference is insufficient.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Delta E
Delta E Tolerances for Plastic Parts
Set plastic-part Delta E tolerances from visual acceptability, method capability and production data, with component and process limits where needed.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Color Science
Yellowness Index Explained: What It Means and How It’s Measured
Yellowness index tracks a shift toward yellow in nominally clear, white or near-colorless materials under a specified formula and measurement condition.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Color Science
Reflectance vs Transmittance: What’s the Difference in Color Measurement?
Reflectance measures light returned from a sample; transmittance measures light passing through it. The correct mode depends on the material and the quality question.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Color Science
Whiteness Index Explained: How Whiteness Is Measured
A whiteness index converts measured color data into a single application-specific value for near-white materials, but the formula, illuminant, observer and UV condition must match.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Delta E
How to Set Delta E Tolerances for Quality Control
A defensible ΔE tolerance is tied to a product, approved standard and defined measurement method—not a universal number.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Color Science
Spectral Reflectance Explained: How a Spectrophotometer “Sees” Color
Spectral reflectance shows a sample’s wavelength-by-wavelength response under a defined measurement condition; it supports color calculations, not every aspect of appearance.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Metamerism
What Is Metamerism? Why Colors Match in One Light but Not Another
Illuminant metamerism occurs when two samples match under one light but differ under another because their spectral responses differ.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Standard Observers
2° vs 10° Standard Observer: What’s the Difference?
The 2° and 10° standard observers are CIE color-matching functions used to calculate color; they are not instrument viewing-angle settings.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Illuminants
What Is a Standard Illuminant? D65, D50, A and TL84 Explained
A standard illuminant is the defined spectral power distribution used with an observer to calculate and communicate color values.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →CIELAB
CIE L*a*b* Explained: Understanding L*, a* and b*
CIE L*a*b* describes color with three coordinates: L* lightness, a* red–green and b* yellow–blue. Learn how to interpret Lab values for practical quality control.
4–5 minute guide · Read the guide →Delta E
ΔE76 vs ΔE2000: Which Color Difference Formula?
A ΔE value gives a numerical distance between an approved color and a measured sample. The formula behind that number matters: two formulas can give different values for…
7 min guide · Read the guide →