The Science of True Color has Everything to do with Light.

As shown by a prism, light produces color in a magnificent array: from the deepest violets to the brightest lemon yellows, all color is the result of different wavelengths of light.

Light can fool the observer, however. We have all been in a situation where one person sees blue and another sees green. While some people may see color differently due to color blindness, most of our disagreements are based on our perceptions of lighting.

The Importance of Color Matching

Perceptions of color change without controlled lighting. Our brains make an assumption about color based on lighting: is the light natural and warm, or is it an artificial, cool light? These divergences in light quality will affect our perception of color.

This can be problematic for companies needing to create a standard color for their product. For example, an automotive manufacturer may source seat covers from one company, the dashboard from a second, and door handles from a third; when all these components come together inside an automobile their color needs to match to maintain the integrity of the finished product.

ASTM International: Global Standard for Color

ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, is headquartered in Pennsylvania. They organized in 1898 to develop and publish voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. With over 12,000 consensus standards, ASTM enhances the production of materials by ensuring that color remains the same, no matter where they are produced.

GTI’s CMlite products conform to the ASTM D1729-96 standard. ASTM D1729 specifies the procedures and equipment necessary for the visual appraisal of colors and color differences of opaque materials that are diffusely light. It requires the judgement of observers with normal color vision. Any opalescent or pearlescent materials would require a different specification of light and follow different standards.

To produce the color consistently, every step in the supply chain should be reviewing color in lighting conditions that conform to the ASTM D1729 viewing standard. This is where GTI’s CMlite color matching systems can help.

Color Matching 101

Standard lighting resolves the issue of color perception by regulating light sources. ASTM D1729 specifies D65 as the daylight source. All of GTI’s CMlite color matching systems conform to the ASTM standard. Our 6500K daylight lamps provide a close match to the D65 spectral specification, resulting in tight compliance with CIE standards. In addition to D65 daylight CMlite Color Matching Systems can include up to four additional sources. These include store light (CWF or TL84), home light (incandescent A), an optional source (D50, D75, TL84, TL83, Horizon, SPX30, or LED), and ultraviolet.

The GTI MiniMatcher and ColorMatcher Series enable you to improve color quality by maintaining consistent and precise viewing conditions. These products are used for non-print materials, such as paints and coatings, plastics, textiles, building materials, and automotive. They provide multiple light sources for visual color assessment, comparison of color variation, and detection of metamerism.

The MiniMatcher Series has three to five light sources and is designed for desktop viewing.  It is available in sizes ranging from 13” high x 18” wide x 10” deep to 22.75” high x 60” wide x 23” deep. The ColorMatcher Series is larger, provides five light sources, includes ColorGuard lamp monitoring, and is available with optional floor stand, drawers, and storage options. Both the MiniMatcher and ColorMatcher Series include a NIST traceable certificate of product conformance.

GTI’s CMlite products offer the functionality, flexibility, and affordability brand owners, manufacturers, product designers, and engineers require. Our commitment to quality and industry standards enable the supply chain to view products under standard lighting conditions, resulting in a satisfactory color match.

Contact GTI today for more information on our color viewing and color matching products.