Section 6 | Page 1

Color measurement is an important part of any quality production system. The fact that color can be measured gives us the means to control color during the image reproduction process.

Why canÆt we rely on our eyes to evaluate color? One reason is that color perception is influenced by many variables including eye fatigue, individual perception differences and viewing conditions. Color perception varies from person to person. Also, our ability to remember color is poor and our color vocabulary is rather inadequate. For example, if a group of people were asked to think of a color such as red, it is likely each person would have a different red in mind.

If a group were presented with a hundred different reds from which to choose and asked to pick out the red that matches something they have seen countless times, such as the 3M logo, it is likely each person would pick out a different red. Show a red apple to a group of people, and it is likely each person would use different terms to describe the color of the apple.

If we cannot rely on our eyes to measure color or determine color differences, how do we define, measure and control color? Although we cannot measure how our brains interpret color, we can measure the physical properties that cause the sensation.