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ANALYSIS
Three Colour Management Technology Trends to Follow This Year Rik Mertens Datacolor AG Europe – Dietlikon, Switzerland
rmertens@datacolor.com
In the paint and coatings industry, colour consistency can be difficult to get right, in large part because we all interpret colour differently. The integration of a digital colour management workflow eliminates the potential for mismatched colour associated with visual evaluation and ensures accuracy, enabling an effective and streamlined colour control process.
T
he subjectivity of visual colour measurement increases the risk
The implementation of digital colour management tools
of errors during the paint and coatings production process, and
The adoption of digital colour management positively impacts supply
inaccurate colour measurements can delay production and lead
chains for many industries by reducing the time and costs of product
to increased business costs.
development, and paint and coatings is no exception. Digitalization is
Since products delivered by paint and coatings manufacturers are held
proven to increase speed to market by adding objectivity to the colour
to the highest industry standards, fast and accurate colour matching
management process, and it prevents time-consuming errors by enabling
is fundamental. A comprehensive digital colour management strategy
the virtual communication of digital colour standards globally.
positions manufacturers for success – saving time and resources and
A digital colour workflow usually includes hardware and software
increasing speed to market by enabling them to get colour right on the
components working together to ensure colour accuracy. One of the most
first try.
important tools is a colour measuring instrument or spectrophotometer.
Here are three trends driving colour management technology, which
Spectrophotometers measure light reflected or transmitted across the
will be particularly relevant as the industry prepares for an adjustment
visible spectrum and compare it to reference samples.
to post-pandemic normalcy.
Spectrophotometers also provide spectral data that can be used to
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N. 69 - MAY/JUNE 2021 - international PAINT&COATING magazine
