色に関するブログ

5 Steps to Digitize Your Press Room and Defend Your Margins Margins in print are under pressure. Rising substrate costs, labor shortages, and energy volatility are squeezing profitability. At the same time, compliance audits—ISO, G7, internal reviews—are becoming more frequent and more demanding. Digitizing your press room isn’t just about passing audits. It’s about building a lean, smart operation that protects your bottom line. Here are five steps to get there: Step 1...

Sustainability in Manufacturing Is No Longer Optional From brand mandates to government regulations, sustainability is now a core requirement in print and packaging. But for many print teams, the path to greener operations feels like a trade-off: reduce waste or maintain quality—not both. The good news? You don’t have to choose. The Hidden Waste in Traditional Workflows Manual color control and fragmented workflows create more waste than you think: Reprints due to color mi...

For print and packaging, color accuracy isn’t optional—it’s essential. Yet many teams still rely on manual color control methods that introduce variability, slow down production, and quietly erode margins. If your workflow feels more reactive than repeatable, it may be time to modernize. Here are the 10 signs to watch for: Your color targets live in email threads Operators waste time searching or guessing—costing setup time and risking errors. Operators rely...

The Hidden Cost of Color Inconsistency on Packaging Color inconsistency in print and packaging isn’t just a visual issue—it’s a margin killer. Decentralized workflows, manual setups, and tribal knowledge create inefficiencies that quietly erode profitability. From wasted substrate to delayed approvals, the hidden costs add up fast. The Operational Fallout of Color Inconsistency Longer setup times as teams hunt for historical data Inconsistent output across p...

はじめに 色温度（いろおんど）は、光の色合いを表す物理的な指標であり、私たちの生活や産業活動に深く関わっています。印刷、テキスタイル、塗料、自動車、プラスチック、食品パッケージなど、色が重要な意味を持つ分野では、色温度の理解が欠かせません。 特に、色を正確に評価・管理する業務に携わる方にとって、色温度は品質やブランドイメージの維持に直結する要素です。本記事では、初心者の方にも分かりやすく、色温度の基本概念から産業における活用事例、測定方法、よくある誤解までを解説します。 1. 色温度とは何か 色温度は、黒体放射（こくたいほうしゃ）の概念に基づく指標です。黒体とは、すべての波長の光を完全に吸収し、かつ温度に応じて光を放射する理想的な物体のことです。加熱したときの色を、xy色度図上にプロットすると、下図のようになり、黒体の軌跡と呼びます。温度によって光の色が変化します。 例えば、約1,000Kでは暗い...

1. 表色系とは？ 表色系（ひょうしょくけい）とは、色を数値的に表現する方法や基準のことです。私たちは普段、色を「赤」「青」「緑」と言葉で認識しますが、機械やコンピューターは色を数値で扱います。そこで、どのように数値化するかを決めたのが 表色系 です。 具体的には、色を表すために「明るさ（輝度や反射率）」や「色味（色相、彩度）」などを数値化し、色を座標上にマッピングします。 これにより、異なる機器や環境間でも「同じ色」を再現・比較しやすくなります。 2. 表色系と色空間とは？ 初心者にとって「表色系」と「色空間」は似たように聞こえますが、実は意味が少し異なります。両者の違いと関係を理解することで、色管理の基礎知識がより明確になります。 表色系（Color System）とは？ 表色系は、色を数値で表現するための方法や原理のことを指します。つまり、色をどのよ...

はじめに 私たちが日常生活で「色」として認識しているものは、実は光の波長によるものです。その中でも、人間の目が感知できる範囲の光を可視光スペクトル（かしこうスペクトル）と呼びます。 この概念は印刷、デザイン、自動車塗装、産業用塗料など、幅広い分野で色を正しく扱うための基礎知識となります。この記事では、初めて可視光スペクトルを学ぶ方でも理解しやすいように、仕組みから応用まで解説します。 1. 可視光スペクトルの基本 光とは何か？ 光は電磁波の一種で、波長（はちょう）によって性質が異なります。電磁波には、ガンマ線、X線、紫外線、可視光線、赤外線、マイクロ波、電波などがあります。その中で、**380〜780ナノメートル（nm）**の波長を持つ電磁波が人間の目で見える光、つまり可視光線です。 可視光とは何か 可視光（かしこう）とは、人間の目で知覚できる電磁波の一種で、波長...

White ink is one of the most expensive and widely used inks in packaging production—but it’s often under-optimized. In this blog, we’ll explore how MeasureColor enables printers to maximize white ink opacity, reduce waste, and boost overall print performance.  Why White Ink Matters White ink acts as the foundation layer when printing on transparent, metallic, or colored substrates. It ensures brand colors are vibrant and consistent. But due to its high-volume use and cost...

This is the third blog in our MeasureColor in Action blog series, which introduces key features to help you achieve smarter, more efficient print production. MeasureColor: Optimize Dot Gain for Better Print Quality Achieving consistent print quality hinges on your ability to control dot gain—a critical but often overlooked variable. Dot gain plays a major role in color accuracy, image sharpness, and overall visual impact, especially in packaging and extended gamut workflows. With MeasureC...

This is the second blog in our MeasureColor in Action blog series, which introduces key features to help you achieve smarter, more efficient print production. MeasureColor: Manage Digital Color Targets with Confidence In today’s complex and fast-moving print environments, managing digital color targets and ICC profiles efficiently is essential for delivering consistent, high-quality results. Without a structured system, it's easy to lose control over your color libraries—leading to ...

This is the first blog in our MeasureColor in Action blog series, which introduces key features to help you achieve smarter, more efficient print production. MeasureColor: A User-Friendly Interface for Faster Print Decisions In today’s print industry, finding skilled press operators is more challenging than ever. At the same time, production environments are becoming increasingly complex—often combining multiple printing techniques and a wide range of press makes and models. That&rs...

What’s the Difference Between a Light Booth and a Lighting Box? When it comes to achieving consistent lighting for color evaluation, photography, or product display, two tools often come up: light booths and lighting boxes. While they may sound similar, they serve different purposes and are designed for distinct use cases. In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between the two and help you decide which one is right for your needs. What Is a Light Booth? A light booth&mdas...

The Competitive Edge in Color and Appearance: Why Global Brands Trust Us In today’s fast-paced, quality-driven industries, precision in color measurement is essential—but it’s only the beginning. True leadership in the color space comes from a commitment to innovation, global Iservice, and a holistic approach that transforms color into a strategic advantage. Decades of Expertise, Proven Results With over 60 years of experience in the color industry, we’ve helped define t...

Color Matching Machines for Retail Paint Solutions In the world of retail paint, precision in color matching is crucial. Having the right tools to ensure accurate color matching can make all the difference. Enter the color matching machine—a revolutionary tool that ensures your paint colors are consistent, vibrant, and true to your customer's vision. What is a Color Matching Machine? A color matching machine is a device designed to measure and match colors with high precision. These mach...

Why Traditional QC Processes No Longer Cut It for Global Brands In the world of textile manufacturing, quality control (QC) is more than a checkpoint—it’s a brand promise. For suppliers working with global leaders like adidas and H&M, the stakes are high. Any inconsistency in color or finish can lead to costly rework, rejected shipments, or worse—lost business from the brand. If your QC process still relies on visual assessments, manual logs, or physical standards, you m...

Five Important Components of a Quality Control Program Step 1: Quantify Color with a Spectrophotometer Human vision is subjective—terms like “a bit brighter” or “slightly darker” are open to interpretation. That’s why spectrophotometers are essential. These instruments measure color by analyzing how light transfers through or reflects off a surface, producing a spectral reflectance curve—essentially a color’s unique fingerprint. This data-driven ...

When your reputation relies on your print quality, accurate, repeatable color control isn’t optional— it’s a necessity. The combination of the eXact 2 Portable Spectrophotometer and MeasureColor Software delivers a robust, integrated solution that empowers print and packaging professionals to achieve precise, repeatable color across jobs, substrates, and devices. eXact 2: Precision Hardware for Next-Level Color Control The eXact 2 is X-Rite’s latest handhe...

X-Rite Video Gallery- Your Ultimate Resource for Color Education Welcome to the X-Rite Video Gallery Whether you're a novice or an experienced professional, the X-Rite Video Gallery offers in-depth color education and practical training to enhance your color management skills. Our carefully curated collection of videos provides valuable insights and expert tips designed to help you master color accuracy and optimize your workflow. In this blog, we'll highlight five must-watch videos that sho...

  Ensuring color consistency is not just a matter of aesthetics; it's a critical component of brand identity and consumer trust. Imagine a world where Coca-Cola's iconic red varies from can-to-can, or where the blue labels of Alcon eye drops don’t match on the shelf. Such inconsistencies can confuse customers and dilute brand recognition. For big brands, maintaining brand color consistency across all platforms and materials is paramount. This guide will introduce the essential s...

Maintaining color consistency across global supply chains is one of the biggest challenges facing brands and packaging printers today. Whether you're producing folding cartons, flexible packaging, or labels, color variation can happen at any stage — from design to final production. But why does this happen, and more importantly, how can you fix it? Where Does Color Go Wrong? At the start of every print project, color expectations are set. Unfortunately, this is often where problems begin. ...

Ensuring color consistency in commercial printing and packaging is critical for maintaining brand integrity and meeting customer expectations. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by leveraging quality control software that utilizes precise color tolerancing methods. In this blog, we will explore different tolerancing techniques and how QC software enhances accuracy in color control. The Challenge of Visual Color Assessment Many assume that visual inspection alone is sufficient for...

In the fast-paced world of print and packaging, achieving precise color accuracy is a critical challenge. Whether you're matching brand colors, controlling ink density, or ensuring quality consistency, selecting the right color measurement instrument can make all the difference. Understanding Color Measurement Instruments Selecting the right instrument for your print operation depends on factors such as production environment, measurement requirements, and industry standards. There are several ...

When it comes to achieving precise and consistent color measurement, investing in a high-quality spectrophotometer is essential. Spectrophotometers are critical to color quality because they provide repeatable and reliable data that ensure products meet strict color standards. Whether you're in the business of manufacturing durable goods, apparel, cosmetics, or building materials, the right spectrophotometer can make all the difference by detecting even the slightest variations in color. These ...

Color is a powerful tool in print and packaging, influencing consumer decisions and defining brand identity. Whether you’re designing luxury goods or everyday products, accurate color ensures your materials stand out while maintaining brand consistency. However, achieving accurate color can be challenging, especially for those who rely solely on visual evaluation. Let’s explore how controlled lighting improves color perception and why it’s essential for effective visual color ...

The Need for Industry Standards for Visual Color Evaluation in Retail LED Lighting In the retail industry, lighting is a critical factor that influences how products are perceived by customers. However, the lack of standardized LED lighting poses significant challenges that can impact both retailers and consumers. Inconsistent Color Reproduction One of the primary issues with the absence of standardized LED lighting is inconsistent color reproduction. Different LED lights can produce varying co...

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025: PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, is a warm, inviting brown that evokes thoughts of chocolate mousse and rich lattes. With its subtle elegance and versatility, Mocha Mousse promises to influence design trends, especially in the textile industry, offering a versatile and sophisticated foundation for fabric designs and textile products. This earthy, warm color is the perfect balance of timeless elegance and contemporary appeal, making it ideal for manufactu...

The unveiling of Pantone’s Color of the Year is always an exciting moment across industries, and for 2025, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse has taken center stage. This rich, warm brown evokes comfort, reliability, and sophistication, making it a perfect choice for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) brands aiming to establish a strong shelf presence. However, managing the consistency of such a nuanced color across diverse packaging materials and suppliers is no small feat. That’s where a Pri...

In the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG), color plays a crucial role in attracting customers and conveying brand identity. Whether it's the vibrant red of a soda can or the calming blue of a skincare product, color consistency is key to maintaining brand recognition and trust.  In this blog, we'll explore the significance of color in packaging design and how X-Rite Pantone can help brands achieve excellent color consistency in packaging design and execution.  Why Color Consiste...

自動車業界で分光測色計がないと起こりうる5つの問題 分光測色計は、自動車業界、特に自動車の色彩管理において不可欠なツールです。これらの高精度な機器は、塗料の色を正確に一致させ、自動車の仕上げに必要な基準を満たすことを保証します。 分光測色計がなければ、車両の塗装作業の品質、効率、そして全体的な満足度に影響を与えるいくつかの問題が発生する可能性があります。 問題が発生する可能性がある 5 つの点は次のとおりです。 1. 不正確な色合わせ 問題：自動車業界における最大の課題の一つは、車両の修理や再塗装において完璧な色合わせを実現することです。 分光測色計がなければ、照明、塗装の経年劣化、メーカーのカラーコードの違いにより、塗装の正確な色合いを一致させることが難しくなります。 結果：元の塗装部分と再塗装部分で顕著な色の差が生じ、車両の美観を損なうだけでなく、顧客の不満につ...

The Future of Color Consistency: LED Lighting Solutions for Industry Standards For years, fluorescent bulbs have been a mainstay in industries requiring accurate color assessment, but their downsides are becoming increasingly hard to ignore. These lights require warm-up time and may distort color accuracy, both of which lead to production delays and translate into higher sample costs.  More importantly, fluorescent bulbs contain hazardous materials like mercury, complicating their disposal...

Brands may not have a line item in their budget for color, but it can impact the bottom line in different ways. Understanding the true cost of color can help accelerate go-to-market, reduce waste, and save thousands. Color plays a big role in purchase decisions when you consider it only takes shoppers 2 to 7 seconds to select an item from the shelf. To stand out, brands must introduce interesting designs to launch new varieties and seasonal specials, while considering the impact new packaging wi...

Originally published May 3, 2024 from https://canmaker.com/light-touch/ Industry stakeholders came together to explore ink and proofing standards for two-piece beverage cans. Nisa Ali reports from Manchester Leading companies across canmaking industry supply chains are considering general guidance for PantoneLIVE colours in the production of two-piece beverage cans. Following a series of seminars discussing the role of PantoneLIVE colour libraries in the design, proofing and printing process ...

Why Backward Compatibility in Spectrophotometers Is Key to Consistent Color If you’re here, chances are you rely on a benchtop spectrophotometer to keep your color quality on point. From textiles and plastics to paint, coatings, and more, these high-precision instruments are critical to maintain consistency in your processes. At X-Rite, we engineer our spectrophotometers to perform reliably for years, even in the toughest environments. But no instrument lasts forever, and eventually, an ...

X-Rite Pantone is excited to exhibit at Fakuma. Like many of you, digitization and sustainability are top of mind. We invite you to stop by our booth to see how an end-to-end lifecycle that focuses on color can help you: Fulfill your customers’ color demands Ensure color consistency with varying batches of recycled raw material Accelerate material color and appearance approval Minimize color surprises at delivery Actively decrease your global footprint The Key t...

Autura Ink: The Future of Cloud-Native Ink Formulation and Quality Control X-Rite’s latest innovation, Autura Ink, a cloud-native ink formulation and quality control solution, recently won the prestigious PRINTING United Alliance Pinnacle Award in the color management and quality control category. This award recognizes innovative new products that significantly enhance the printing industry through exceptional quality, capability, and productivity. We sat down with Ming-Pong Liu, Software...

Brands invest a great deal of time and resources when selecting a new color to represent their products. If the color doesn't match expectations after printing, runs are wasted, and everyone is left wondering where the color went wrong. Here's a typical scenario. A brand selects a season color for product packaging and communicates that color to the designer. The designer integrates the color into the design and hands it off to the premedia team to convert it into print-ready files. The files a...

Originally published May 3, 2024 from https://canmaker.com/light-touch/ Industry stakeholders came together to explore ink and proofing standards for two-piece beverage cans. Nisa Ali reports from Manchester Leading companies across canmaking industry supply chains are considering general guidance for PantoneLIVE colours in the production of two-piece beverage cans. Following a series of seminars discussing the role of PantoneLIVE colour libraries in the design, proofing and printing process ...

Accelerate ROI, digital transformation, and sustainability with a digital textile color program. Hiccups in getting to market can be devasting for any type of business. For fashion, soft goods, apparel, and footwear brands, a major concern is missing out on the opportunity to increase sales and establish or reinforce brand credibility. Brands simply can’t afford any unnecessary slowdowns during the execution of a design due to delays in preliminary steps such as the color approval process....

Looking for a centralized location to manage your X-Rite products and services? Check out My X-Rite. Whether you need product information or support, service details, or access to learning resources, our free online portal is just a few clicks away. 24/7 Access: Easily access your personal dashboard from your computer or mobile device around the clock. Personalized Dashboard: See what matters most to you in one convenient location. Effortless Service & Support: Submit and track...

In the sign and display graphics business, as in many other segments of the printing industry, shorter runs and reduced cycle times can stress even the most efficient wide format printing operations. By implementing a color-managed RIP-to-roll (or RIP-to-rigid media) workflow, these operations can ensure that color is right the first time and every time to help speed work through the shop and meet color expectations. Photo by Peter Saunders Today we are share tips from our Color Experts that c...

電機・電子機器に含まれる特定有害物質の使用制限に関するEU指令の最近の改定により、2025年2月24日までに、特殊用途向けの多くの蛍光灯に適用されている水銀に関する、現行の適用除外が撤廃されます。これらは、EU REACH規則の条項 2(b)(4)-Iで定義されています。適用除外撤廃後、欧州では、この適用除外に基づく蛍光灯のテクノロジーを含む新しい機器の販売は出来なくなります。 現在、エックスライト製の標準光源装置 SpectraLight QCに搭載されている蛍光灯は、このカテゴリの適用除外に該当します。　この規制に対応するため、当社は欧州におけるSpectraLight QCの販売を2025年2月24日以降停止しますが、適用除外撤廃後もサービスと交換部品でのサポートは規制の対象とならないため、販売を継続いたします。 この決定を受けて他の地域の国々も、欧州の規制に合わせると予想されます。近い将来、市場ではあらゆる種類の蛍光灯の販売が禁止されるでしょう。 こうした規制強化と、それに伴う蛍光灯製造の縮小により、蛍光灯の供給と調達はより厳しくなり、サプライヤーは蛍光灯の生産を集約しています...

The internet is full of Top 10 Countdowns. We enjoy looking back at our most popular blogs and learning resources to better understand what interests you – our readers. We’ve been publishing our top-read learning resources since 2016, and we’re happy to see some educational topics like color perception, tolerancing, and spectrophotometers continue to rank year after year. Here’s a list of the topics our readers enjoyed most in 2023. Have you read them all? Top 5 X-Ri...

When it comes to color accuracy in the world of print and packaging, having the right tools at your disposal is crucial. We understand how overwhelming it can be to choose from a plethora of options. Fear not, for we’ve simplified your decision-making process. Here’s our list of top color match devices, each catering to different needs:   eXact™ 2 Handheld Spectrophotometer for Paper, Corrugated & Carton Boards Ideal for professionals working with paper, corr...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the colorful world of spectrophotometers? Don't worry, we've got your back! We've put together a quick list of the unique features of four of our color match devices to help you find your perfect match. Let's dive right in! Ci7860: The Precision Prodigy The Ci7800 is your go-to if you're all about precision. With its cutting-edge technology, this benchtop spectrophotometer guarantees spot-on color matches. If you're into perfection, this one's for you....

Starbucks has once again kicked off the holiday season with four new festive cup designs. This year they surprised us with a magenta accent, which “lifts the traditional holiday colors and makes the red even look brighter,” said Kristy Cameron, Starbucks’ creative director. In the frenzy of holiday shopping, packaging plays a crucial role in catching the eye of potential buyers. However, staying ahead of the game and adapting packaging designs to align with ever-changing con...

カラー マッチングによる自動車の美観の向上 技術革新が進んでいる現代の自動車業界では、精密さと完璧さに対する要求がかつてないほど高まっています。自動車デザイナーやメーカーは自動車の美観を向上させる方法を常に模索しています。一方、部品メーカーや仕上げの業者は、部品間や工場間で色と外観を一致させるように努力しています。 自動車業界でのカラーマッチングの重要性 適切な色は、視覚的な魅力を高めるだけでなく、ブランドのアイデンティティと職人レベルの技能も反映します。色が間違ってマッチングした自動車のボディパネルを想像してみてください。作品というより目障りな製品になってしまいます。そのため、ここでカラーマッチングを活用し、工場から出荷される車両がすべて指定の色のとおり、正確に再現する必要があります。 自動車業界で分光測色計を使用するには？ メタリック、パール、などの複雑な仕上げは、自動車塗料に対しての、革新的なテクノロジーです。美しく見えますが、色再現のコントロールが難しいものです。表面の曲率や見る角度が色の知覚に影響を与える場合など、これらの問題を解決するには、自動車専用の多角度分光測色計...

Working in prepress holds a unique challenge. Even if your color workflow is tight, everything can fall apart if the customer’s file isn’t color managed. We’ve all seen it. You receive a file that the customer claims is ready to print, yet when you open it on your computer, the colors don’t look right at all. You can’t send it to print without knowing for sure, because you’re the one who will take the hit for wasted time and materials if it’s wrong....

Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) is a multi-national manufacturer of confectionery and gum. They offer innovative local flavors for numerous renowned international brands and distribute them to 150 countries worldwide. Since their final packaging includes a mix of materials including labels, foil, paper, paperboard, and shrink sleeves, each of their global printers must achieve accurate color on every substrate to portray a unified brand presence on the shelf… which is not an easy task. PVM sele...

The environmental footprint of fashion is out of control. According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), “Textile mills generate one-fifth of the world's industrial water pollution and use 20,000 chemicals, many of them carcinogenic, to make clothes.” Fabric being dyed in factory. Image from NRDC.org.  A Problem That Impacts Everyone Did you know it takes about 200 tons of water (enough to fill several swimming pools) to produce one ton of cott...

If ensuring color consistency is part of your job description, you’ll want to learn more about PantoneLIVE. Our customers report that it helps them get products to market an average of four times faster! PantoneLIVE is an end-to-end, digital color communication ecosystem that helps everyone involved in a packaging workflow visualize and communicate color. It shows which colors are achievable, and which are not, across everything from flexible packaging to corrugated board. And, since the digital...