A spectrophotometer is a device that measures, calculates and expresses color in a precise and objective way so that color can be shared and reproduced accurately.
You could say a spectrophotometer takes the sensory experience of color and translates it into interpretable data for easier communication – be it for one user, throughout a company, or across a full supply chain.
Since human color perception is influenced by various subjective factors, spectrophotometers are ideal for ensuring accurate color communication and color quality control in an industrial setting.
Spectrophotometers measure the wavelengths of light absorbed and reflected by a color sample, then quantifies it into color data that can be interpreted by color management software. A spectrophotometer can measure a wide range of materials including synthetic or natural fabric, liquid, plastic, paper, metal, painted substrates, and in some cases, multi-colored materials.
Spectrophotometers contain a light source, a monochromator to select specific wavelengths of light, a sample holder, and a detector. The monochromator disperses the light into its component wavelengths and directs a specific wavelength towards the color sample. The detector then measures the amount of light that is transmitted or absorbed by the sample, which can be used to determine the concentration of specific colorants or dyes within the sample. The resulting data enables color replication in industrial settings.
In industries such as textile and apparel, paint and coatings, plastics, cosmetics, automotive and more, spectrophotometers allow companies to set color standards so that samples from suppliers can be compared to and measured against the standard. This ensures the final product will adhere to specifications set by a manufacturer or design team, no matter which batch it was a part of or which manufacturing location produced the product.
Why does this matter? By utilizing a spectrophotometer to set color standards and then perform quality control checks, your company is taking subjectivity out of the color management process, ensuring high-quality final products that are in-line with customer expectations. A good color quality control program saves you time, money, resources, energy, and labor, helping you get your product to market faster.
There are many types of color measurement instruments, but when it comes to spectrophotometers, there are two main configurations: benchtop spectrophotometers and portable spectrophotometers.
A benchtop spectrophotometer is typically used when high precision, stability, and advanced features are required, such as in laboratory settings for detailed analysis. These stationary instruments offer better accuracy, a wider range of wavelengths, and more sophisticated data analysis capabilities, making them ideal for quality control in laboratories and design studios.
Portable spectrophotometers are used in scenarios where mobility and convenience are essential. In industries like textiles or paint coatings, portable spectrophotometers are used for quality control to ensure color consistency across different batches and production sites. They allow quick and efficient color accuracy checks during production against standards without needing to send samples back to a lab for analysis.
Their ease of use, compact design, and the ability to store and transfer data make them versatile tools for many applications where immediate, on-the-spot analysis is required.
