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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

When all of final production packaging comes together on the store shelf, it’s a brand’s moment of truth. Do the stand-up pouches, overwraps, and corrugated POP displays match? How close is the color to its standard? We know you spend so much time and money designing, proofing, sampling, printing, and shipping… so where does the color go wrong? Is it an issue with accuracy, consistency, or both? Package designs come together on the shelf. Here you see pouches, labels, cartons, and corrugated wit...

What happens when you have more than 2,000 brand colors to manage across a complex global packaging supply chain? Things get complicated! Although it may seem easier to create a new color than to dig through databases or binders of color drawdowns to find the closest match, the problem comes later when you’re faced with a huge, unmanageable library. One of our clients, a well-known fast-moving consumer packaged goods (FMCG) company, understands how easily things can get out of control. They wer...

かかる時間は2秒から7秒です。ほんのわずかな時間だけですが、消費者が多くの購買決定をするための必要な時間です。 これは、よく話題になり、研究された「最初の真実の瞬間」です。 エックスライトの印刷・包装用のカラーマネジメントソリューションは、品質管理、調色、自動化において、優れた効果を発揮します。     色は、「最初の真実の瞬間」において、人を引き付け、人に魅力を伝えるための重要な要素です。これは、ブランドと消費者の関係において、最初に正しい色を得ることが非常に重要になります。 ブランドマネージャーやパッケージデザイナーは、製品にふさわしい位置を作り出すため、数えきれないほどの時間とエネルギーを投資しています。 製品の包装と開封は、消費者にとって、繰り返しの面白い体験となり、製品の魅力を高める効果もあります。そのため、製品が毎回登場するたびに、デザインの意図を確実に実現することが重要です。消費者が製品に触れるたびに、一貫した体験を生み出せるための基礎となるものです。 パッケージ印刷の大規模生産が必要な場合、カラーコントロールと一貫性は、特につかみどころ...

他人から「りんご」と言われた時に、あなたは、赤、緑、黄のどれを思い浮かべますか？ もし、顧客から具体的ではない説明で調色を求められたら、どうすればよいでしょうか？。カラーコミュニケーションというとてもシンプルな定義が、カラープログラムの成功を左右することができます。詳しくは、以下のブログをご確認ください。 絵は千の言葉を描けますが、言葉だけでは、千の色を描く事は出来ません。 色に関する循環的な会話は日常に起きるものです。一般的には、誰かが色を少し変えて欲しいという要求から始まります。例えば、もっと暖かく、もっとポップにして、もっとトーンダウンして、などです。あなたも何度か経験したことがあるのではないでしょうか。デザイナーとの電話では、欲しい色が「見えている」と言われたのに、それを表現するための適切な言葉が見つからないことです。あるいは、自分が伝えたつもりの色が出なかった印刷業者との会話も難しいです。 ブランドオーナー、デザイナー、サプライヤー、そしてメーカーは、さまざまな方法で、そして、多くの場合口頭で、期待する色を伝えようとします。さらに、色の説明が伝えられるたびに、それは少しず...

皆様の色の品質管理の工程には、目視評価が含まれていますか？ もしそうでないなら、含めた方が良いでしょう。 標準光源装置SpectraLight QCを目視評価ワークフローの一部として使用 どの業種でも、色の評価は、測色計でサンプルを測色するだけではありません。測色計は色を許容範囲内だと表示していても、その結果は必ず人間の目に正しく見えるとは限りません。 顧客からの拒否を最小限に抑えるには、色管理プロセスに照明ブースでの視覚評価を含める必要があります。特に、同じ製品の異なるパーツを生産する場合です。なぜなら、工場内だけでなく、屋外や蛍光灯のある店舗など、世の中にどこで見られても、色の統一感が必要だからです。 本日は、皆様の品質管理の工程を、可能な限りレベルアップするために、目視評価するための１０のヒントを紹介します。 目視評価に欠かせない標準光源装置を使用 エックスライト社製の標準光源装置SpectraLight QCは、さまざまな光源の下で色を評価・比較するための制御された環境を提供します。ここでは、標準光源装置の導入によって、色評価の工程を最大限に活用するための 10 のヒント...