How to Visually Evaluate Textiles
Evaluating textile color palettes, fabric rolls, multiple garments side-by-side, and cut-and-sew pieces under controlled lighting can ensure color integrity and harmony before garment assembly and shipment. X-Rite luminaires can be hung in custom configurations over a viewing table to achieve the desired light level and area of view.
Challenge
- The appearance of color can change based on the type of light and viewing angle
- Color can shift when applied to different materials, such as different types of fabric, plastic buttons, metal zippers, etc.
- Optical brightening agents applied to textiles can shift under UV light
- Fabrics dyed by different suppliers may follow different color programs
- Large textile rolls and multiple fabric pieces cannot fit side-by-side in a light booth
- All parts must match under different lighting conditions when assembled or the item will be rejected during final QC
Solution
SpectraLight QC or Judge LED luminaries can be hung on chains over a viewing table angled at 45-degrees to evaluate color under 7 light sources. SpectraLight QC luminaires offer best-in-class dimmable filtered-tungsten halogen daylight while the Judge LED luminaires offer premium eco-friendly LED technology with instant warm-up and less maintenance than fluorescent technology. The luminaires can be arranged in custom daisy-chain configurations in banks as small as 1x2 and as long and wide as needed to achieve the desired light level and area of view.
During design, R&D and final QC, evaluators can walk around the textile products to evaluate color from every angle and ensure color integrity and harmony under multiple lighting conditions, including optical brighteners under UV. Luminaires also make it easy for several workers to evaluate at the same time for improved efficiency and collaboration during visual evaluation.
Results
- Simulate the consumer experience for broader market acceptance
- Evaluate materials from worldwide suppliers to ensure color harmony
- Identify color quality issues before assembly and shipment to save time and money
- Standardize conditions for visual assessment to reduce waste
- Create a consistent color program for high quality products throughout the supply chain
- Improve collaboration during visual evaluation
- Comply with ISO: 3664, 3668, 13076, 23603, AATCC: EP9, ASTM: D1729, SAE: J361, DIN: 6173, CIE: S012/E, 51.2, and BSI: BS 950 Pt.2 standards
- Report and trace color quality for continuous improvement
How It Works
- Work with an X-Rite color scientist to determine the ideal size, shape, and bulb configuration. X-Rite luminaires can be hung in banks as small as 1x2 and as large as your items require.
- Create standard operating procedures to document settings for every program and create custom profiles based on requirements for light source, illumination, and other parameters to ensure consistency between evaluators.
- If desired, require part suppliers to use SpectraLight QC or Judge LED light booths to confirm dyed fabrics and components are visually acceptable based on standard operating procedures before they are shipped for assembly.
- Everyone perceives color differently, so it is important to test the vision acuity of quality controllers and approvers to understand how they perceive color. The Farnsworth-Munsell Hue Test can be used to fully analyze color vision for in-house and field staff involved with color-critical operations.
Featured Products
With 7 light sources including dimmable filtered-tungsten halogen daylight (class A) and optional LED, this top-of-the line controlled lighting solution provides the most accurate daylight simulation available for optimum visual assessment.
Judge LED Light Booth is an eco-friendly, LED color evaluation tool that offers instant warm-up and consistent lighting to ensure accurate evaluations across the supply chain.
A custom fit-and-finish room for visual evaluation of large assembled items under controlled lighting.
Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue Test
A global standard that has been used by governments and industry for more than 60 years, the FM 100 Hue Test evaluates and ranks color acuity for visual color evaluators in any industry.
Conclusion
Hanging SpectraLight QC or Judge LED Luminaires enable checkpoints for visual approvals throughout the supply chain and ensure color harmony at final assembly. When used as a holistic solution, luminaires and light booths reduce human error, standardize conditions for visual assessment, and saves time and money.
